2023-10-25 07:26:00
ONK LOU speaks on the occasion of his current EP “Before Midnight”, which was released on September 8th, 2023 via LKMTV. In the interview, LUKAS WEISER talks regarding producers, who in his experience can be divided into two different categories, regarding his magic in the studio, which leaves a foretaste of his energetic live performance in every production, and finally regarding how he makes peace with social media has closed. The interview with the Lower Austrian Singer and songwriter led by Dominik Beyer.
“Before Midnight” sounds like an announcement of something bigger?
Uncle Lou: Haha yes. “Before Midnight” as a nice preparation for the album “Midnight”. I have chosen five songs that illuminate all facets of the future album. More or less. In any case, the title is also a nice metaphor for a new beginning. Midnight is also 00:00.
Are you a night owl?
Uncle Lou: Absolutely. I used to want to write a song every night. That always lasted until ten in the morning. But somehow I never say what I want to say. Rather, what works fastest.
My process is now more comparable to that of a battery, which ideally only discharges following it has been fully charged. As soon as I don’t have any appointments for a week, I let everything out. When you are inspired, anything is possible. Then a number will be finished in one day.
At the moment I’m working on my new album with Andi Häuserer. I also produced the EP with him. Maybe you agree with me, in my opinion there are two types of producers.
One person hears your song and tries to distill the essence as best as possible. The other person has a vision and wants to push you to achieve that vision. He gives a shit regarding everything you’ve done up to that point. You then have to fight for a year so that the album still sounds like you at the end. Andi Häuserer is definitely first.
So the demo always remains in the song project as a template from which further work can be carried out, right?
Uncle Lou: Yes, exactly. This way you never get to the point of doubt and you don’t run the risk of losing your vision, wanting to erase everything and feeling the need to start all over once more.
So not to design a “sound castle”, but to work out the vibe of the demo as best as possible.
Uncle Lou: Exactly. Because you have to bring it live on stage. As authentic as possible.
What line-up are you currently on stage with?
Uncle Lou: I’m playing in a trio right now. Due to the pandemic, we have always been traveling as a duo for the last three years. Drummer and me on guitar and octaver. Now I’m excited to get started once more. Interestingly enough, people who really appreciate me as a live musician often tell me that the productions sound too “produced” for them. This time I consciously made sure to capture that live feeling on the record.
Interesting. Because that’s what I find so exciting regarding your recordings. Just that you can feel this live feeling from the first note. You can immediately see your live performance in your mind’s eye. Regardless of which record and with which producer. From my point of view, you always seem to succeed. If I didn’t know better, you’d think you’re really standing in the studio as a whole band and performing whatever you can. But since that’s not the case, it must really be due to your energetic vocal performance.
Uncle Lou: Thank you. That’s my approach. The attempt to tear everything down in the recording too. Otherwise it doesn’t make sense to me.
I think everyone wants that anyway. What does your experience say regarding how to get there?
Uncle Lou: Take the first takes. The guitar tracks from the demo session at night. Even if they are a little “shakey”. But the takes usually don’t get much better.
You did every release with a different producer. What criteria do you use to make your choice?
Uncle Lou: Depending on how it feels. Florian Richling was recommended to me for the first album. Michael Schatzmann actually produced it following Flo didn’t have time. For the “Quarterlife” album I consciously wanted to do more synthpop. That’s why I went to the guitarist from Roof traeums came – Kevin Lehr. Now it was time for something earthy once more. That’s one of Andi Häuserer’s strengths. A poppy production that doesn’t sound sterile. With real drums and guitars.
Do you see yourself more as a pop or indie act?
Uncle Lou: Phew. Most people come because of two songs they know from the radio. Most people will definitely be surprised at the concert. I hope positive.
Pop or indie – all of my musical work has the goal of being brought to the stage. That’s the first thing I think of. Then, in order of priority, would come songwriting; To record; many other things. At the end of the list are doing taxes and making videos.
“I think that very few people don’t even think regarding what resonates in other people’s ears.”
Do you have a good team that can take on unpleasant work for you?
Uncle Lou: I have a good team. But of course your own project is closest to you. You always have to keep an eye on everything. Most partners who work with indie acts also have many other bands on their roster.
Back to the perhaps stupid question: pop or indie? A possible dividing line between these genres might be what kind of product an artist sees their work as. Either as the product of one’s very individual preferences, or as one that always has the largest possible number of potential buyers in mind.
Uncle Lou: That’s quite interesting. There are already many who claim that they don’t care what others say. But the moment you realize that no one is clicking on your song, you also feel sad. I think that very few people don’t even think regarding what resonates in other people’s ears. Of course, you still have to stay true to yourself. I might work with certain producers and sing in German. But I actually started making music that I like. Was that more of an indie answer?
Yes, that was a poppy indie answer.
Uncle Lou: What I’ve noticed is that I have a hard time with others in songwriting sessions. I don’t like sharing this. Especially when it comes to lyrics, I don’t see why I should sing someone else’s words.
Do you ever continue to work on old song ideas?
Uncle Lou: There are now and then nighttime flirtations with old ideas. But with a new idea it feels fresher. Here and there you can pick up a few scraps of an old session and continue with the current mindset. According to the motto: yesterday with heart – today with brain. But these are usually not songs, but rather short riffs, vocal lines or something like that. I often wake up very excited and listen to the memos from the day before and hope that I can still find them good even when I have a clear head. Sometimes the natural ecstasy you get into while jamming can deceive you. But sometimes not.
Does a song get better the longer you work on it?
Uncle Lou: No, he just becomes different. Which do you think makes more sense – recycling old texts or music?
I believe that texts are often more closely tied to a phase of life. This would make it harder for me to recycle old text ideas. For me, music is a bit more timeless.
“And only at the end do I think regarding what the song wants to tell me.”
What comes first for you? Music or lyrics?
Uncle Lou: I always start with a rhythm. A pattern on the guitar or a beat. And only at the end do I think regarding what the song wants to tell me. Except for “Delight”. The duet with WITH on the current EP. I’ve had the line of text for a long time. The number came regarding much later. For the second verse I have Miriam von WITH asked. I thought that would be a great fit. And that’s exactly how it was.
Perfect match! Are you also on stage together?
Uncle Lou: On October 13th, for example, at the birthday party Rockhouse Salzburg.
Is there a story regarding Lion King?
Uncle Lou: I saw English fairy tales in a museum in Tallinn. There was also a story regarding a lion king who ran out of strength and self-confidence. Whereupon he went to his advisor, who was also his hairdresser. As a solution, he suggested a look by advising him to cut off his mane. The lion then gradually realized that his advisor actually only wanted to make him smaller instead of strengthening him.
A nice metaphor for talking regarding social media.
Uncle Lou: Totally. In reality, of course, that is also this hairdresser.
So the Gretchen question of our time: How do you feel regarding social media? Do you like her?
Uncle Lou: I don’t think anyone likes social media, right? I always think to myself that it has to work without it. But there is hardly any other way for bands my size than to get people to come to their concert. And in the end that’s what I really want.
I tell myself it doesn’t matter at all to post something that no one will look at. It’s good if someone notices. The worst thing, however, is when you do nothing at all. So I’ve found peace with it and I’m trying to at least make myself laugh with it.
Thank you for the interview
Dominik Beyer
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Links:
Uncle Lou
Uncle Lou (Instagram)
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