The sisters Natascha and Maruschka Monney are considered young talents in the Swiss yodelling scene. How do you feel as young women in a scene that is considered very traditional? The two talk about why we live in a bubble, why the offspring are too female and why you need thick skin.
SRF: Why do you make folk music as a young person? Surely there are genres that are considered “cooler”?
Natascha Monney: I can’t remember that we consciously decided to make folk music.
Maruschka Monney: It’s often something family-related, including for us. Over time you become firmly anchored in the yodelling scene and you can no longer imagine not being there anymore.
Is folk music an ideal world?
Natascha: Sometimes it really is the case that folk music is a perfect world. But we are also so lucky. Only when it comes to the political situation in Switzerland when you compare what it looks like elsewhere. Generally, we live in a bubble. Of course, not everything is perfect and not everyone is doing well. But we’re damn lucky to live here, with this standard of living. That’s why it captures the basic mood of the ideal world quite well.
There are now purely women’s clubs, such as the ‘Echo from the Ovary’ and I think that’s great.
What is it like to be a young woman working in folk music?
Maruschka: Maybe you have to get thick skin. But I did my initial training as a landscape gardener and I had to listen to a lot. That never happened to me in the yodeling scene. But you mostly hear sayings like: “Oh, if only I were 30 years younger…” etc.
Natascha: Our mother was always in the same yodeling club as us. Nobody dared to say anything. But we also give back and say straight away when things go too far. Not everyone can or is allowed to do that. Then it can sometimes be unpleasant.
Maruschka: Another topic: Many yodelling clubs say: “Only three women per club, no more. And women’s clubs, that’s something strange anyway.” I’ve heard that before. But that too is changing. There are now purely women’s clubs, such as the “Echo from the Ovary” and I think that’s great. This is good for the yodeling scene.
And how many men are in a club?
Maruschka: around 20 to 25 men.
Natascha: There are also all-male choirs. Women are not an issue there anyway. And then it’s the way it was for us for a long time: the women do the solo voice. Sure, you don’t have ten soloists in a choir. But the question is: Why shouldn’t a woman sing along? I also discussed this in our club. The thing is: more and more choirs are dying out because no one is coming.
Folk music changes, and what changes lives.
So there is not enough offspring?
Natasha: No, on the contrary. But the children’s and youth choirs consist mostly of girls. That doesn’t work. On the one hand there are the male choirs that want new talent and on the other hand there are the new talent, but they are very female. There needs to be a rethink there.
What else needs to change?
Maruschka: More openness. We all share a passion for singing. No matter what gender or nationality. There are many open clubs. Nevertheless: Don’t be afraid of new things. Keep the old, but be open to the new. After all, folk songs also changed over the decades or centuries in the past. Why should they freeze now?
Natascha: Folk music changes, and what changes lives.
Legend:
Together on stage
The sisters are considered young talents in the Swiss yodelling scene.
Monney siblings
The interview was conducted by Sina Alpiger.