Maeckes
The perfect time to fall in love is now
He is a musician, video director and actor: Maeckes alias Markus Winter.
© Monica Menez
Maeckes reconciles himself to a certain extent on his album. In an interview he reveals why “POOL” is the perfect summer album.
Maeckes (38), also known as a quarter of the Orsons, will release his third solo album “POOL” on June 11th. The name says it all: the album is a pool of songs that couldn’t be more different. While listening, fans accompany him on his way closer to himself – musically and lyrically. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Maeckes talks about his self-made doppelganger Christoph Rainer, confusion tactics and his acting debut in a comedy series.
You’ve released quite a bit of content since last year, although the year was certainly planned differently. How have you fared in 2020?
Maeckes: The last year was actually in the spirit of the Orsons. The festival season would have started for the album and then it did not take place. That was a huge hole in the last year, whether in our accounts or in our calendar.
You completed the “ILLUSION” concert film with the help of your community in lockdown. Did you find it easy to switch to and use the social channels?
Maeckes: I had already made the concert film, but I never had time for it. With the help of my community, I used this as occupational therapy at the beginning of the pandemic. All the impulses to do more with the community came from the fact that I quickly realized for myself that I had to make something good out of the bad situation.
The song “Swimmingpool eyes” is about the perception of oneself and others. This is a big topic in the age of social media – how do you see it?
Maeckes: Everyone finds that problematic and it cannot be dismissed out of hand that it is problematic. I just line up. “Swimming pool eyes” are intended to encourage you to show other people how you see them in comparison to their self-image.
In “Exclusive 9” you rap, you were or still are in love while writing “POOL” and that it is therefore a bad time for a Maeckes album. Don’t you think we all need love vibes and “POOL” feelings right now?
Maeckes: I honestly believe that now is the perfect time for that. In the last year, communication has become so connected via the Internet, people are annoyed, the tone is harsh. I think that after everyone got crazy, now is the time for something gentler and warmer. That’s in “POOL” – a perfect summer / early autumn album.
For the 2016 album “Tilt”, a yellow suit on the album cover was the dogma for all public appearances. Will the silver suit from the music videos now become the new tour suit?
Maeckes: I don’t know yet – let us surprise you.
How did the idea of giving a doppelganger named Christoph Rainer a role in music videos and interviews came about?
Maeckes: My wish and first impulse for this album was that I want to completely remove myself and only do the music. I didn’t feel like doing interviews in front of the computer and looked for a solution so that I didn’t have to do it myself. The doppelganger plays in the video for “1234” and I also liked the idea of the video with a doppelganger at the opening. After the first interview, it was clear that we didn’t want to do that at all. That was too weird and uncomfortable. I then decided against it. What is the circus supposed to do? It’s an album by ME. Without wanting to reveal too much, I’ll let him dance again for the very last video.
Doesn’t this confusion tactic also belong to Maeckes music?
Maeckes: It was part of it and was a very important element. I’ve been saying for ten years that I’m not Maeckes, even though I am Maeckes. After three albums, it’s time to put an end to the confusion.
Does that also serve to protect yourself?
Maeckes: Definitely.
In the 2016 interview we talked about whether Maeckes’ music is too funny for you and the listeners. Do you feel understood by your listeners?
Maeckes: Yes, because I see things differently now. I never understood how anyone else could see it. But it is nonsense from the listeners to assume that they read it just like me. Any other way of reading is much better! Since I changed the goal of my music, I also find it much more pleasant and no longer feel the need for everyone to understand it the way I do. So please all hear it the way you want to hear it.
There are press photos with surgical masks for “Tilt” and there was also a yellow face mask in the box. Maeckes is also blamed for the pandemic in the video for the single “1234”. What was the actual idea for the masks in 2016?
Maeckes: The last album was about the “catastrophe” and “Tilt” was always about the moment when nothing works and you have to deal with the new. In other words, I really dealt very nostradamically with a moment in which you have to deal with a new truth and your way through it. I wanted to give the first disaster protection. Then the disaster came years later and everyone who bought my box definitely has the mouthguard ready.
In July, the ZDFneo series “Deadlines” comes out, in which you play a role. This is not completely unknown territory for you. How was the first major television production?
Maeckes: I also thought I was splashing around a bit in my own way and had something to do with it. Colder water than I thought, but I liked that too. I don’t have a real feeling about it yet. My feeling while shooting was good, the feedback from the directors was also good and I haven’t checked it further yet. I haven’t even seen it yet and I’m really excited to see it come out now. I think the books are very well written and it may well be a brilliant new series.
Is there any potential for continuation?
Maeckes: It’s rumored like that.