You started with Gospel. How much influence does this still have?

Far too much (laughs). Whenever I’m back home, I must play at my dad’s church. I still listen to it and I think it’s just a part of my faith so I’m just going to keep it.

How did you get into music?

Pretty much through the church. I was always being surrounded, even if I was not playing. I knew so many people that played music in the church band or that were interested in music. My dad would just play music, well, both of my parents don’t play any instrument but they always played music in our house, regardless where it was. And then I have two older cousins and my parents took them in when I was younger. They were teenagers and my sister and me were babies. And my cousins watched a lot of music television. So we were picking up loads of different stuff and I think I just unconsciously got into music, it was just a part of my life.

That’s pretty interesting. You were born under the sign Piscies. You seem to be very sensitive, do you think that’s because of your vulnerable sign or do you think that’s all rubbish and if so, what’s your explanation?

You know, I’m not a believer in stars or anything like that but I think it’s really cool and yeah, I think, I’m a really sensitive person. But I used to be also really cold sometimes, when I’m in the mood I lock everything else out. So, yeah, I am very sensitive but…

…you don’t know why.

Yes, that’s it (laughs).

When you create a song, what comes first: lyrics or melody?

Melody for me. I love melody so much, I always want to make sure that I get that and then bring in the lyrics later. But you know what?! I think it varies. Most of the time it’s the melody that comes first but I have moments where I think: ‚Wow, that’s a cool lyric!!‘ and I place the whole song around that.

South London is currently THE hotspot for new artists.

YES.

What’s going on there, why has the concentrated talent moved there and are you in touch with other artists?

I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in South London right now ‚cause I’m never there (laughs). I don’t really know but I think that there is a very creative vibe going on. There’s something about it ‚cause I know a lot of creative people coming from there. But now I can’t even think of anybody from South London ‚cause I’m on the road all the time, I’ve been busy for such a long time. But it’s a very great place for subculture and music and people and vibes and soul.

Which German words do you know?

Dankeschön, bitteschön. Ich liebe dich.

The most important!

The most important, of course (laughs). Ich will essen, that’s: I’m hungry, right?!

Yes.

Yeah. I got a German family, an uncle, an auntie and a few cousins. So I learned a few German things.

Will you move to Germany then?

Maybe, there’s a chance that I move to Germany one day. I love Hamburg as well, my uncle and auntie are from Hamburg, that would be nice. It’s a great city, very beautiful.

There are so many British artists at the Reeperbahn Festival. Do you have the time to meet each other or which one would you like to see perform?

I really wanted to see Frances perform but I missed her and I’m really gutted about it because we weren’t here on the day. She played on Wednesday, right?!

Yes, I guess so.

Yeah, so we missed that, but Jake Isaac is playing today and I want to see him, I’m not sure what time he’s on but hopefully we can see him just before our show. Also, we met these guys at our soundcheck just now but I can’t remember the name of their band, but they are really lovely and cool and they sounded great and I’m really looking forward to see them. I haven’t seen the entire list but yeah, there are some really good artists that I’m excited about to see.

What should or shouldn’t you do at a festival?

Oh, I love this question, I’ve been asked this before.

Mh, sh*t.

(laughs) It’s all good, it was a long time ago, so I can’t remember the answers (laughs). Be in a porter loo when someone is about to push it over. Not going to any act is pretty lame. I think when you go to a festival and not enjoy yourself, that’s also bad. That’s the best I can think of right now. I’ll have to get back to you on some more, I randomly just be like: Hey, here, I got some answers for you.

Amazing, let’s do that! Let’s finish with some short questions. First record you ever bought?

‚Inside The Square‘ – John Mayer

Favourite Love Song?

‚All My Life‘ – K-Ci & Jojo

Which song is on continious loop on your current playlist?

It’s a song by a guy called Jon Bellion and it’s called ‚Guillotine‘.

A music genre that shouldn’t exist?

(laughs) Oh god. I don’t even know though ‚cause I mean so many genres influenced other genres, you know, so it would be unfair, wouldn’t it?! We wouldn’t have some of the genres we have. I can’t say.

One of your early influences is *NSYNC.

Ah, of course!!

Could you do a little nostalgic performance video of the song ‚Tearing Up My Heart‘?

I’ll do it, if someone of my band gets involved.

And so he did. Watch the full performance here:

interview conducted by Maria & Susanne