Upcoming 100: What inspired you to become a musician, and how did you know you wanted to make music a career?
If Anyone Cares: As the son of a jazz drummer, I came into contact with music at an early age. After a few years on the saxophone, I switched to the electric bass at the age of 16 - and that was when my passion for music really ignited and I realized that music would always be a part of my life.
Upcoming 100: Can you tell us about your songwriting process? How do you come up with ideas, and what inspires your lyrics?
If Anyone Cares: I often just play the guitar, just for myself, completely relaxed - and suddenly something is there. Something that I wasn't even looking for, but also something that really wants to go out into the world. It seems that I am the channel for this “something”.
My texts are often stories from life. Or simply something that I feel or perceive at the moment. Sometimes I just write my lyrics down, as if they were poems that I have known for years.
Upcoming 100: What are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
If Anyone Cares: I am inspired from Norway to Seattle, by Torun Eriksen, Norah Jones and Sting as well as Soundgarden and many others. These influences make my music very diverse and difficult to categorize. My songs are full of melancholy, but nevertheless have a lightness about them. Mostly calm, they breathe jazz, Latin, soul and pop - and sometimes even a pinch of rock'n'roll.
Upcoming 100: What's the story behind your latest release/album/single? What inspired you to create it?
If Anyone Cares: My current EP consists of three acoustic pop songs that tell us the stories of life with gentle lightness. “All the Things”, the title track, encourages you to open your senses in order to perceive the diversity of life in all its fullness. “Endless Summer” expresses the joy of life, youth and the feeling of an endless summer. It invites you to dance and sing along - and once you've heard it, you wish that neither the summer nor the song would ever fade away. The third song, “Unconditional”, tells of the realization that you have grown older and changed. And it reminds us of a steady guide who unconditionally shines in the sky for us and goes through life with us.
As a bonus track, we hear the driving remix of the title track “All the things”, featuring Reto Della Torre on guitar.
Upcoming 100: How do you approach your live performances? Do you have any rituals or pre-show routines that help you get ready?
If Anyone Cares: For me, it's important that a concert offers a nice overall experience. Not only acoustically, but also visually with a nice atmosphere. That's why I often design my own decorative elements for the stage.
However, the most important factors for a successful concert are a thorough sound check, a cozy meal, a beer and lots of fun with my bandmates.
Upcoming 100: What do you hope fans take away from your music? Is there a message or theme that you're trying to convey?
If Anyone Cares: I like it when I can bring people together and they have a wonderful, carefree, perhaps even unforgettable time.
Upcoming 100: How do you balance your creative pursuits with other aspects of your life, such as personal relationships or business responsibilities?
If Anyone Cares: As a father of two, a husband and a marketer in a global technology company, you can imagine that it's often hard to keep the balance. I'm so grateful to have such a great and understanding wife who gives me the freedom to live my passion while also catching me when I hit the limits.
Upcoming 100: Can you tell us about some of your favorite songs or albums that you've worked on? What made them special to you?
If Anyone Cares: For many years I have been the pulse of various pop, rock and jazz formations in Central Switzerland as a bass player. So every record or project I had the possibility to be part of is something very special to me.
Upcoming 100: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a musician, and how have you overcome them?
If Anyone Cares: I often found it difficult to live up to my own quality standards. For a long time, I didn't dare to go public with my own music because I thought it wasn't good enough. That I wasn't good enough. Until I decided that for me, music is much more about feeling than fast fingers.
Upcoming 100: How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue creating music? Do you have any specific habits or routines that help keep your creative juices flowing
If Anyone Cares: That happens naturally for me. Of course, it's not always as intense, but music, ideas, and inspiration are always there.
Upcoming 100: What's next for you in terms of new music or projects? Can you give us a sneak peek into what's coming up
If Anyone Cares: As I mentioned earlier, I just released a 4 song EP - have a listen here on Spotify:
