The success did not come overnight for Max Giesinger (31, "The boy who runs"). In 2012 he finished fourth at "The Voice of Germany", after which no record company wanted to sign him. It wasn't until 2016, four years later, that the singer from the Black Forest made his big breakthrough with the song "80 million". Today his songs run up and down on the radio.
On Friday (June 19) Giesinger will be releasing his successful album "Die Reise", which was released in November 2018, as an acoustic version. It gives big hits like "Legends", "At Home" and the title song "Die Reise" a whole new sound. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the 31-year-old takes stock and reveals his previous ups and downs in his life.
With the acoustic album "Die Reise" you return to your roots. You used to go through the country as a street musician and sang at family celebrations. What memories do you have when you think of the beginning of your career?
Max Giesinger: It was a great time, very carefree. It was then that the first thought occurred to me that sooner or later I could achieve something with the music. I played three or four concerts a week and word got around about word of mouth. Back then I didn't know whether I was training or studying. I knew I wanted to make music, but I had doubts whether you could really make a living from it.
What profession would you have taken if the great success had failed to materialize?
Giesinger: I had applied to various universities. I could have imagined teachers – also for music. But I think that would have been very bad for me as a music teacher, I couldn't read any notes. I would probably have ended up in sales somewhere because I am relatively good at dealing with people and empathetic – of course without knocking people out.
They released the song "Australien" in the acoustic version as a foretaste of the album. After graduating from high school, you worked your way down under for a year. Looking back, what is the significance of this phase of your life?
Giesinger: It was an important year because for the first time I was traveling independently and had to take care of myself. Before that, Mutti always checked that the son had something to eat. I started cooking there and it went bad. There was always pasta with tuna and tomato sauce, so I couldn't eat it for four years afterwards. But the time was great because I realized that I was made for traveling. At that time I had a commitment to study banking, but I wanted to explore the world and the urge to make music only got stronger.
You are in your early 30s. Many people at this age draw a first life balance. What highs and lows have you already experienced?
Giesinger: During school three or four years wasn't cool at all because I wasn't good and was bullied a little. At that time I was a couch potato and played a lot on the computer and Nintendo. The music saved me, it gave me self-confidence and a goal. I wanted to learn a musical instrument and become a good singer, even if I hadn't given much thought to it. The first big high and low point was "The Voice of Germany", where I quickly climbed up and felt like I was dropped again just as quickly. No record company wanted to work with me.
In 2016 it really started with "80 million". It was the best year of my life. After that I wanted to accept all the offers because I didn't know how long the success would last. So I agreed to every gig, every concert and every TV show. It was hard for me to say no because I worked for it all my life and thought: "Maybe it'll only be like this for a year and then everything will be gone." At the end of the year I was without energy. You can quickly lose your drive, but I learned relatively quickly that you also have to take breaks – and found a good level.
This year they are part of "Sing my song – the exchange concert". Which moment particularly touched you?
Giesinger: When MoTrip sang "80 million" and put the song on its story – how he once fled Lebanon with his family. He brought this topic, which is strongly polarizing in Germany, closer to many people. He sang from the perspective of the refugee, who ended up being one of 80 million. I was just crying.
How has your life changed as a result of the Corona crisis?
Giesinger: I used to go to bars on weekends. It has been gone for almost three months, but I am not missing it. If I know that nobody is partying and I am not missing anything, then I have no problem with it. I do sports almost every day, learn to play tennis and slow down my life. I also learned to cook and took care of my plants.
You were on tour in May. How did you experience the car concerts?
Giesinger: They are a great emergency solution. People thought the idea was great and wanted to look at it. Of course, the atmosphere of a festival is missing from the sound of the car radio – without a large system and the bass in the stomach. Nevertheless, it is better than not to play any concerts.
In addition to the Corona crisis, police violence in the United States and protests against racism are currently causing a stir. What do you wish for the world?
Giesinger: More relaxation and less selfishness. The capitalist system has brought us to where we are today. We have ruined nature and we cannot get everyone to be treated equally.
… and for yourself?
Giesinger: A nice, happy, relaxed life. Not so much stress, good food and that I can spend more time here and there with my family in the Bandnerland.