Bruckner release their album “Zerrissen”. In an interview, Jakob and Matti Bruckner explain why the title is their program.
The German indie pop band Bruckner, the brothers Jakob and Matti Bruckner, are releasing their second album “Zerrissen” after their debut album “Hier”. “This time we lived out all our musical preferences and desires, it became a colorful mix of genres,” says Jakob Bruckner in an interview with spot on news about the new record. They had recorded their debut before Corona, “Torn” has now “accompanied them through the whole crisis and all the emotional stages that you went through”.
Doubts in the Corona Pandemic
The title of the album also stands for this time. “Disunity is actually a permanent condition for us,” explains Jakob. “But during Corona it was blatant to feel that we didn’t really know how to continue with the music because we couldn’t play live. It felt like the end of the line for us. We were torn between: Can we keep doing it or do we have to look for something new?” It was less about the music, “but one had the impression that one now has to become an influencer, that one no longer has that much to do with why one actually started”. Both got side jobs, “which helped us not to go crazy and to have a normal job that you just work through”. Then everything turned to the musical good. “We had good songs and still felt it. At some point the first concerts came again and that was the break free for us.”
Corona has not made them more cautious with dreams or goals in their music career. “That doesn’t make any sense to me either,” says Jakob. “Dreams are the most beautiful thing. They tend to become more. And many of them have already come true, like last year’s festival summer.” They want to fulfill a short-term dream on the upcoming tour: “We’re playing in the Muffathalle in Munich for the first time on April 21 and we’d like to sell them out,” says Jakob. “It was always on the list, I used to see a lot of concerts there myself.”
Second album as a search for the core
The second album was a challenge for her, as it was for many musicians, “because you have to follow up and match the first one or, best of all, top it,” says Jakob about the latest record. “It was definitely a difficult album for us and we’re glad it’s finally out.” The record offers a wide variety of sounds. The fact that they cannot be pigeonholed is not just an advantage, says Jakob. “I get the impression that the audience always struggles when they can’t put the music in a box. But I think the album was a big search and a journey for us. We didn’t really know where is our core. And maybe it’s nice for the people to experience the development. We’re very transparent about that. But the next album can then be more consistent.” The search also reflects the album’s theme of inner turmoil, adds Matti. “That you can’t really decide what you want to do. And then you just do what feels good in all directions at the moment.”
The fans will experience the versatility of the band on the tour that will take Bruckner through Switzerland, Austria in April and through Germany from April 18th. “People at our concerts have always appreciated that it never gets boring. This has now been taken to the extreme with the album, everyone gets their money’s worth live,” says Jakob. “We’ve never had so much light with us and let off steam a bit with the stage design,” adds Matti. “I don’t think it’s ever been so nice (laughs).” A close relationship with their fans is important to the duo. “Last year we had around 50 shows and it’s really nice that you now know people you see again and again. You stand on the stage and feel right at home,” says Jakob. The two appreciated it even more after Corona, “that people keep coming back and that we move so much with them with our music that they take these trips, order the record or buy shirts,” adds Matti.
A flat share as a concept for the future
Her parents are big supporters in her music career, explains the sibling duo, who released their first EP in 2017. “The best example: last week we had rehearsals and eight people slept with our parents,” says Matti. “They cooked for us while we all came home stressed out in the evening, they brought us coffee in Bruckner hoodies, they’re totally ready to go. They’ve always had our backs in the last few years.” Many are not fortunate “that their parents always encourage them in what they do and give them the confidence that they can do what they do.”
The siblings can always count on the shared flat share. The two musicians live with friends in a house in a suburb of Munich, where they have also set up a studio. “We regularly have musicians as guests, the crew stays here, everything is full of boxes and instruments and we use other rooms for rehearsals, but everyone is very accommodating,” says Jakob about the flatmates he has known since his student days. “Everyone’s easygoing and already working. It’s not that student thing anymore.” In any case, you have to understand each other for a flat share, says Matti. “With seven people you have to be able to overlook one or the other thing. And you do that better with friends than with people you have only known for a short time.” The concept is definitely to be recommended. “Even our parents have had a roommate for a year. The fact that several people or families share a house and the common rooms is just great and totally forward-looking.”
As brothers on stage
They appreciate that the brothers can pursue their passion for music together. “It inspires you to be a couple and not to work alone,” explains Matti Bruckner. “It helps when someone else says, ‘This is how it’s done. Don’t worry too much.’ We are work colleagues, roommates and best buddies. And in all areas it is very stress-free as brothers. If things have built up, we always talk them out.”
It’s sometimes not easy “just to be a brother” and to leave work aside, explains Jakob. “Besides, there’s always competition between brothers and old patterns that you’ve carried around with each other since childhood. Losing anything to Matti is definitely a total catastrophe for me (laughs).” But he also sees the advantage of being on stage not just as a duo, but as brothers, he says, “that this relationship is worth a lot and you definitely don’t give it up easily and always fight for it. That we know “Even if we split up, we still have to be able to get along as brothers. The relationship is already very important and you’re willing to do a lot for it.”