Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Rico Friebe
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Hearing the music from 80’s Kraftwerk and songs from the Genesis albums “…And Then There Were Three” as well as “Duke” before I could even speak.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
This sounds kind of pretentious, but I was born with that passion. I feel like a creature of music and a constant stream of expression myself. Everything surrounding me, feels like it and I can’t help myself.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My newest Rico Friebe double-album “The Desire Path / The Open Glade” feels like my magnum opus. It was the truest moment of myself, the songs, the arrangements, my voice, the lyrics. I post-poned it for three years, but the time has come to kind of close that circle.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
A true expression of individualism that can’t be suppressed by the boundaries of just one style or genre. An unadulterated act that can’t be imitated by anyone else.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
That it’s not about the beauty in beauty, but the beauty in finding ways out of the darkness.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
All. Since my 2022 birthday, especially my voice that I never used before.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’d still prefer any Vashti Bunyan or Peter Sarstedt song about the things I’m hearing nowadays. Sorry, but that’s what I noticed over the past years.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
They mean everything to it. Without the personal aspect, there would be no music, no vision. It’s filled with my stories and experiences.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
A deep sinking into melancholy, accompanied by a true hope and a sense of a genuine love.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Your message, how deep and honest it might be, isn’t necessarily understood that way by anyone else.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Nothing specific, but the one where nobody would expect me, but would be blessed that it happened in the end.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I think, actually experiencing Sufjan Stevens at work, connected to my creative process would be highly interesting.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.youtube.com/@RicoFriebeVEVO
https://www.instagram.com/ricofriebe
https://www.facebook.com/ricofriebeofficial
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Reaching more people that never were able to actually play one of my songs. And: Releasing my recently finished Jazz album on the piano.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I wrote several books (German-only right now) as “Kristine von Ehler-Siebert”.
The opening song “S.” from my double album “The Desire Path / The Open Glade”:
