Interview: MAXIMILIAN HECKERThe emotional music of Maximilian Hecker is theme music for the poignant elegance within a romantic dream. Signed to Kitty-Yo Records and PIAS (Play It Again Sam Records), Hecker is known by few people in America but respected by his European (mainly German) fans. His “Infinite Love Songs” album introduced the world to his elegant music. His 2003 classic “Rose” LP was theme music for that romantic evening of emotional sophistication. Produced by the Gareth Jones, “Rose” created a picturesque and otherworldly atmosphere through sound. The legendary Gareth Jones also produced music for Erasure, Nick Cave, The House Of Love, Wire, Nitzer Ebb, Depeche Mode, Madness, Garbage, The Mountaineers, etc. The album is a dedication to a woman named Rose. Songs like “Kate Moss”, “My Love For You Is Insane”, and “That’s What You Do” are all poignantly romantic with a dream-like quality. In 2005, Hecker released an exceptionally tender album titled “Lady Sleep”. The opening track, “Birch” has a hypnotic piano and falsetto vocal arrangement. The crescendo creates an emotionally powerful fantasy for the listener. Playing a majority of the instruments on the album, Hecker succeeded in making “Lady Sleep” (produced by Guy Sternberg) an exceptional addition to his discography. Just as “Rose” is a dedication to a woman of the same name, “Lady Sleep” is an ethereal love affair with the unfaithful mistress of sleep.
Maximilian Hecker is a romantic who happens to be a musician. His inspiration allows him to abandon the rules, the norm, and the expected to present beautiful music on his own terms. In love with music and the mistress of sleep, Hecker has created beauty from his inspiration. Every lover of sleep knows that the unfaithful Lady Sleep makes unconscious love to everybody.
As I write, the clock ticks past midnight. Whether I love or hate Hecker’s music is irrelevant because I am also in love with the Ms. Sopor. My hands fall from the keyboard as she seduces me into a state of slumber. She may be unfaithful, but her love is magnificent. Now, I must go to bed and have a dance with the mistress of sleep.
T.JONES: "What goes on?"
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “At the moment, I’m working on new songs. Then, I will have a little tour in October in France and Germany.”
T.JONES: “The last record you released was ‘Lady Sleep’ on Kitty-Yo Records. Tell us about the album.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “The Europe release was in January. It is my third album and my favorite so far. Melancholic pop hymns.”
T.JONES: “What is your favorite song on the ‘Lady Sleep’ LP?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “The song called, ‘Lady Sleep’.”
T.JONES: “Explain the title, ‘Lady Sleep’?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “It’s a personification of sleep. The sleep is portrayed as a woman who I have an affair with. Only, she also has affairs with others and she always leaves me in the mornings. Finally, I wish that she, one day, might stay forever. So, it’s an allegory for a longing for eternal peace and death.”
T.JONES: “What song on ‘Lady Sleep’ took the longest to complete? Why?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “No problem songs. We finished the 12 songs in four weeks.”
T.JONES: “Guy Sternberg produced the ‘Lady Sleep’ album. How is he different than the other producers you worked with?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Guy has studied classical music and he is a very good bass player and a keyboarder. He immediately understood my music and my approach. He worked on the songs very sensitively.”
T.JONES: “Your album ‘Rose’ (released by Kitty-Yo and Play It Again Sam Records) is beautiful and elegant album. How is the ‘Rose’ LP different from ‘Lady Sleep’?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “No difference. It is always the same that I do. I try to produce an intense feeling, harmony, and beauty. The arrangements and the choice of instruments are not my main focus.”
T.JONES: “What is your favorite song on the ‘Rose’ album?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “‘I Am Falling Now’.”
T.JONES: “Can you explain the title ‘Rose’?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “It is dedicated to a woman called Rose.”
T.JONES: “Describe the overall recording process.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I had some demos done on an eight track recorder. We took those demos as a basis and replaced almost all my recordings with studio recordings. I played all of the instruments, track by track, except for the bass.”
T.JONES: “What song on ‘Rose’ took the longest to complete? Why?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “‘Rose’, I guess. It is the longest, with lots of guitars and stuff.”
T.JONES: “Inside of ‘Rose’ album artwork, there is a picture of you shot in the head. Is there a story behind the album artwork? Please tell us about this picture.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “The photographer of those pictures, Michael Tewes was inspired by the covers of the first album, ‘Infinite Love Songs’. The painter, Lisa Lounila painted similar pictures of people lying on the ground.”
T.JONES: “How did you get involved with PIAS (Play It Again Sam Records) and Kitty-Yo Records for the ‘Rose’ LP?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I used to play soccer with one of the former Kitty-Yo managers, Patrick Wagner. He now runs Louisville Records. It gave him a demo cassette.”
T.JONES: “When creating a song, do you have a set theme or pre-written lyrics? Do you write the music first? Or, does everything come together simultaneously?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “First comes the music. For the development of the melody, I use fake lyrics. Then, before I have to record the vocals, I write proper lyrics.”
T.JONES: “The song, ‘Kate Moss’ is very powerful. What inspired this track?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “My musicality, some Chopin and some Grandaddy.”
T.JONES: “Gareth Jones produced the ‘Rose’ LP. How did this collaboration happen? How is his production style different than others?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Gareth was interested in doing production for Kitty-Yo and I was looking for a producer at that time. So, we came together. We did a test session and I really liked what he did.”
T.JONES: “Where are you from? Where are you living now?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I was born in South Germany, but lived most of my youth in North-West Germany, an area of Hanover. After school in 1998, I moved to Berlin. It is very good living here. Most important are my good friendships here. ”
T.JONES: “What are some songs that made you fall in love?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “‘He’s Simple, He’s Dumb, He’s The Pilot’ by Grandaddy, ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ by Radiohead, ‘Driftwood’ by Travis, ‘First Song’ by Sigur Ros, ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Homesick’ by Kings Of Convenience, ‘Sun In My Mouth’ by Björk, ‘Water & Air’ by Cat Power, and ‘Place To Be’ by Nick Drake.”
T.JONES: “Who are some producers you would like to collaborate with in the future?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Guy Sternberg again.”
T.JONES: “What was your childhood like? What kind of kid were you?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I had a good and protected childhood. I was a quite active and sometimes, even a nervous child. I have a brother, who is two years older, who lives and studies in Munich.”
T.JONES: “What has been in your CD player recently?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Bob Dylan’s ‘Blonde On Blonde’ and ‘Takk’ by Sigur Ros.”
T.JONES: “Word association. I am going to say a name and you tell me the first word that pops in your head. If I say, ‘The Beatles’, you may say, ‘Apple Records’. Okay?”
T.JONES: “Damien Rice.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Don’t know.”
T.JONES: “Morrissey.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “My friend Tuomo Kuusi, from Boys From Scandinavia, who sings like him.”
T.JONES: “Slowdive.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Only heard the name so far.”
T.JONES: “The Fall.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Had a steak with Mark E. Smith recently. Polite, but also unpredictable sometimes.”
T.JONES: “My Bloody Valentine.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Wall of sound.”
T.JONES: “The Stone Roses.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I once called them The Doors of the 90’s, but I only know one song.”
T.JONES: “Momus.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Don’t know.”
T.JONES: “Felt.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Don’t know.”
T.JONES: “The Wolfgang Press.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Don’t know.”
T.JONES: “Cocteau Twins.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Don’t know.”
T.JONES: “The Dandy Warhols.”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Only heard the name so far.”
T.JONES: “How did you get started in making music?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I started listening to music when I was four years old, Melanie Safka. Then, I started playing the recorder. I finally discovered my musicality when I started playing the drums. I was nine years. I was the drummer in several bands. I started writing songs ten years ago and got a record deal four years ago.”
T.JONES: “Who was the biggest influence in your life?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Beatles.”
T.JONES: “What was your last dream you remember?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “I’m sorry. At the moment, I don’t remember any that are interesting to tell.”
T.JONES: “What is music lacking these days?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Some music is lacking everything. Some is perfect. For example, some idols I mentioned.”
T.JONES: “What are some misconceptions that people have of you?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “That I am melancholic, that I am sad, that I am soft because my music is as soft as my soul is hard.”
T.JONES: “What is next for you?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “New songs and live shows. The usual.”
T.JONES: “Any final words?”
MAXIMILIAN HECKER: “Thank you.”