"Since the Corona crisis, I've felt the need for an ideal world," reveals Annett Louisan. This is how she and her family experienced the pandemic.
Singer Annett Louisan (43) rediscovered herself during the Corona lockdown – including her joy in covering songs. The album "Kitsch" was created within a short time and will be released on August 21st. The singer then covers songs such as "Atemlos" by Helene Fischer or "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues (1967). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, she speaks about her new project and the personal effects of the Corona crisis.
Your new cover album is simply called "Kitsch". What about the name and the new album?
Annett Louisan: "Kitsch", like my first cover album "Berlin, Cape Town, Prague", is the story of a journey. This time not a trip around the world, but a trip inside. If you can't go outside, go inside. "Kitsch" is a tender bow to titles that come from different generations of artists, and which all have the common ground to touch us, in different emotional states.
During all of this lockdown time, I've heard more music than I haven't in a long time. I spent the time that I had to myself listening to music and that did something to me. I had to absorb these feelings!
Why a cover album and no new songs of your own?
Louisan: After making music for so long, I think it's important to break out of the routine to challenge myself. I believe that every musician has their own version of a song. It used to be the standard to sing along to all the classics.
Since the Corona crisis I have felt the need for an ideal world – and this is exactly what I found for myself in music. These songs all remind me of myself. For me, kitsch is not a negative term either. My true feelings are often very cheesy and exaggerated. I've always been more feeling than reason. In the English-language songs this side of me comes to the fore even more. Above all, I can express it linguistically there.
I have never recorded songs in a language other than German. This is the first time I've dared to sing in English. I believe that I have now dared to take on this project because I have gained a lot of experience and know who I am and how I want to sound. I grew up with English language songs, they are part of my musical DNA. I know that I will never sound like a native speaker, I find this accent so exciting!
As an artist, how did you experience the time during the corona lockdown?
Louisan: I was incredibly lucky to be able to start this project right after the corona lockdown. 2020 is a tough nut to crack for my industry. I'm fine because I played another big tour last year. But for the people who can't go more than three months without appearances, it's a disaster – for the small clubs, for theaters, for freelancers. A terrible tragedy.
It is psychologically difficult for me that I cannot give concerts for the time being. In the beginning I tried to accept it and accept it, but slowly – now that this has all settled in my head – I just hope that it doesn't go on like this next year. Hopefully we can play concerts again next year. Nobody can say whether people will be ready to go to concerts and how big these concerts will be. People have a legitimate fear of buying tickets now.
At the moment it is not possible to estimate when concerts with a large number of spectators will be allowed again. How do you deal with this uncertainty?
Louisan: I try not to get angry about missed opportunities and not be so scared. I succeeded very well, maybe also because I have a three year old child and therefore little time to think. For three months without a daycare center, without grandparents, without friends and playgrounds: It's not necessarily easy and always fun, it was also exhausting. I take my hat off to all single parents who also had to do homeschooling and home office. But I am grateful that I was able to spend so much time with my daughter. And you get to know each other anew and may also be surprised by yourself.
How is your daughter handling the situation?
Louisan: My little daughter takes things for granted quickly. For me, people in masks are still an unusual image, but not for them. My daughter even reminded me of my mask as a matter of course. It's normal for them. A little scary.
What do you look forward to most when something like normal returns?
Louisan: I think after this time there will be an incredibly positive boost. People will want to travel, celebrate and socialize again. I am looking forward.