Max Giesinger
More time and creativity through a social media break
Max Giesinger is back with new music after several months off.
© Christoph Köstlin
Max Giesinger is back: The result of his month-long break was more creativity and time, as the singer tells in an interview.
After a break of more than six months, Max Giesinger (32, "80 million") is again giving a sign of life – in the form of music. On Tuesday (February 9th) he released the new single "Deine Zweifel", which he dedicated to his mother. On Friday (February 19th) he will follow up with another song entitled "Irgendwann Ist Jetzt", for which a music video will be released at 5 pm. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the singer talks about his time off and why he advises everyone to take a break from social media at least once a year. He also reveals whether he's back to puzzles on "The Masked Singer" and who is his favorite on the music show this season.
"Sometime Is Now" describes many scenarios that you have been dreaming of for a long time: for example, to find love or just listen to yourself. Which dream could be fulfilled the fastest?
Max Giesinger: Definitely the thing about listening to yourself. You can practice that over and over again every day and ask yourself: How do I feel with this decision right now? The less often I find myself in situations where I used to think: "Oh God, how did I get back in here now?", The better. That saves a lot of energy!
The song is a hymn for more self-confidence and personal responsibility. In the past few years you have struggled with it again and again. How did you find yourself feeling more self-worthy?
Giesinger: I have noticed over the last few years that I need a decent amount of outside approval in order to feel really valuable. I had never questioned that for years. At the age of 27, my big dream came true and I felt super hyped and happy for a year. At some point it subsided and I wondered how that could be.
I thought to myself: If you've achieved everything you've always wanted, you should be happy all the time. Since that was not the case, I began to deal more and more with the subject of "mindfulness". In doing so, I checked that I had carried around some wrong beliefs. From that moment on I knew that my journey had to go inwards as well, because I had achieved my greatest dreams outside, but I still did not feel "complete".
You took a six-month break. What did you use this time for?
Giesinger: My primary plan was just to relax. But after just a few weeks I felt an incredible urge to write songs again. Then I kept renting a house in nature for a week with two or three songwriter friends. Those were always incredibly inspiring trips that really pushed me. I love the songs that were made there.
You have also said goodbye to social media. How liberating was that for you? Will you do this more often from now on?
Giesinger: I can really advise everyone to take a social media break at least once a year for a few weeks. Last year on my birthday, I decided not to go online until it felt like it again. That turned into four months. It was very exciting to see how much time I suddenly had again and how creative I got. Suddenly the ideas bubbled up and I didn't have such a "permanent haze" in my head. Many believe that you have to be permanently connected to the whole world. But this results in exactly the opposite: You are no longer really there. "Zombie mode" on.
You dedicated your song "Your Doubts" to your mother. What position does she still hold in your life today?
Giesinger: Since I have spent most of my life with my mother, she is of course a key figure. It shaped me and without it I would definitely not be where I am now. She is extremely proud of what has happened in my life over the past few years. But she also remained totally relaxed and I have great respect for that!
How did your mother react to the song?
Giesinger: Very emotional. Since there was some discussion afterwards, we chatted about a few older topics. That did pretty well. I would even go as far as to say that the song brought us even closer together.
How are you doing with the corona lockdown?
Giesinger: Given the circumstances, very good. I used the whole time for my personal development and tried to integrate good and valuable things into my life: Every morning about an hour of meditation and yoga. Then there is a healthy breakfast. I try to be in nature as much as possible and to keep my body fit. Many of my musician friends are plagued by existential fear. That worries me a lot and worries me.
How do you use the time without concerts? Have you developed new hobbies?
Giesinger: I play table tennis regularly and in the summer I tried to take tennis lessons twice a week. In summer I was out and about with my SUP (Stand Up Paddle, editor's note). It totally relaxes me to sail around on the Alster.
Two years ago you were a jury member for "The Masked Singer". Are you puzzling again this year?
Giesinger: If only from home. It's a lot of fun to compare your own tips with your friends. It's amazing how often you are completely wrong.
Which costume is your favorite this year?
Giesinger: I think the turtle is great. But that's because I had two turtles myself when I was a teenager. Paul and Otto!
You should have a new album this year. What can you reveal about it?
Giesinger: I think that really great songs were created. There's already a foretaste.
What other professional and personal plans do you have for 2021?
Giesinger: Try to stay relaxed and be a good person.