Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with BAGAGE
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music is looking through my parents’ record sleeves. My absolute favourite thing to do was listen to Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want”.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
When I was seven, I discovered a cassette of Cheap Trick’s Live at Budokan. Once my uncle found out, he copied a few Judas Priest and Iron Maiden tapes for me. I was completely hooked after that. From that moment on, I just knew I had to be in a band.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Mathias (our guitarist) and I used to play together in a hardcore band called ‘Das Empire’. When I left to focus on my new band ‘LYVTEN’, Mathias started writing and recording songs on his own at home. I always loved his tracks and kept telling him he had to do something with them—and that I really wanted to be the drummer for those songs. When LYVTEN eventually called it a day after 10 years, I gave Mathias a ring and dropped my mate Nico (bass) a text. That’s how BAGAGE was born.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Dark, heavy rock music with a real feel for melancholic, melodic moments.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Quite often, Mathias records ideas at home with his guitar and Logic, which he then sends over or plays for us in the rehearsal room. Usually, these ideas don’t have lyrics or vocals yet. Nico tries out vocal melodies over them, and then we flesh it all out together as a collective, write the lyrics, and record it again. It’s like puzzle pieces coming together, getting shuffled around, and reconnecting. Eventually, the song just feels perfect to us.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’ve been listening to the album Peace in Place by Poison The Well a lot lately.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences, the things I’ve been through, and my roots definitely shape the way I play drums, write lyrics, and live my life. Things like skateboarding, the punk and hardcore scene, and just what’s happening in the world around us play a massive role in that.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I really love that feeling of exhaustion and emptiness, combined with a comforting, melancholic sense of satisfaction—like when I listen to Converge’s Jane Doe album from start to finish. If someone described feeling that way after listening to a BAGAGE track, I’d take it as a massive compliment.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Just have fun with it.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Hellfest, France.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
The Swiss singer To Athena. I absolutely love her voice and her Swiss-German lyrics.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
- Website: www.bagagesucks.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bagagesucks
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BAGAGESUCKS
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
We’re really excited to release our first EP soon, and then we’ll crack on with working on the album. In between all that, we’re just incredibly grateful and looking forward to playing as many gigs as possible and meeting new people.
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