Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Roger Forrer
Introduction of the project
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
We listened to a lot of music at home, and my father is a musician himself. So music was something I basically grew up with from the very beginning.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. I learned accordion at music school, and later taught myself guitar and double bass.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I am currently working on two different musical projects. In the first one, I play traditional Swiss folk music in a trio. Over the last few years, however, I realized that composing instrumental melodies alone did not allow me to express enough emotion. That led me back to the guitar, where I started writing melodies together with lyrics. Over the past three years, around 20 songs have come out of that process.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It is a mix of folk and country music with a small influence from traditional Swiss folk music.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Not taking things too seriously when mistakes happen and always making music with joy.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I record my music at home using Logic. My smartphone is also essential because ideas often come to me during the day. Then I quickly whistle a melody or sing a few words into the recording app. Most of my ideas come when something exciting happens in life, when I observe something funny, or after a beautiful experience. If nothing is happening in my life, I usually don’t have good ideas.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
At the moment, I listen to a lot of music by Peter Reber. He is a Swiss singer-songwriter.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My lyrics are often about personal experiences or things I have observed. I write songs very intuitively.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope to put a smile on people’s faces when they recognize themselves in the lyrics, but I also want to make them think sometimes. I often write about everyday situations.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music connects people and gives strength both to the person making it and to the people listening to it.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Performing at Openair St. Gallen would be a big dream for me.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Johnny Cash. I once watched a movie about his life at school, and afterwards I bought my first guitar. He is still one of my biggest inspirations today.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/roger.forrer/
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/2YI0oNiMc9w6IDGMpfCQXa
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4smnQFWPFErqfy_PEXjBQ
Website:
https://forrer-music.ch/musik/
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I hope that people enjoy my music and that I can play more concerts in the future.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope to reach more people with my music along the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feJlUUQR9j4&list=RDfeJlUUQR9j4&start_radio=1
