Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Marco Früchtl

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My earliest memory connected to music goes back to when I was around seven years old. A neighbor of mine had a small home studio, and one day he invited me in and played some of his recordings. I was completely fascinated by the whole experience—the equipment, the sound, and the idea that you could create something so powerful from scratch. Looking back, that moment probably planted the first seed of my passion for music.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

My passion for creating music began in the 1990s. Before I started producing, I had already performed at a few karaoke events and discovered how much I loved singing. At the same time, I was constantly coming up with my own musical ideas and melodies. Eventually, I bought a synthesizer and Cubase and started turning those ideas into actual songs.

Since I taught myself everything from scratch, my early productions were far from perfect. But they were a solid start, and every project helped me learn something new. That hands-on journey of experimenting, learning, and improving is still a big part of who I am as an artist today.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

The story behind my current music project actually began in the 1990s. Back then, I had 

written and produced around ten to twelve original songs. However, in the early 2000s, I joined a band as the lead singer. Between my regular job and performing with the band—sometimes playing 150 to 200 shows a year—there was simply no time left for my own music.

That chapter lasted for almost two decades. Then, about two years ago, I decided to leave the band and unexpectedly rediscovered an old hard drive containing my original recordings. When I listened to those songs again, I realized they hadn’t lost their charm. The melodies, emotions, and ideas still felt authentic and meaningful.

That inspired me to bring them into the present by giving them a more modern sound and finally releasing them. Originally, I planned to use an artist name, but my daughter convinced me that my real name sounded cool enough. So I decided to release my music as Marco Früchtl.

Musically, I see myself as a pop artist. Whether 

it’s electronic pop, pop rock, or something in between, my goal is always to create songs with strong melodies, emotion, and authenticity.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I would describe my sound as somewhere between Erasure and Harry Styles. It combines melodic pop songwriting with elements of electronic pop and pop rock. Strong melodies and rich harmonies have always been at the heart of my music.

What matters most to me is creating songs that connect emotionally with listeners. I’m not focused on technical perfection. What matters most to me is having a voice with character and authenticity that people can connect with. Over the years, many people have told me after 

concerts that there is something unique about my voice that they genuinely enjoy. I take that as one of the greatest compliments an artist can receive.

Above all, I want my music to feel honest, memorable, and emotionally engaging.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

One thing that completely changed the way I make music was realizing that learning never stops. A few years ago, I completed a distance-learning program at HOFA, focusing on audio engineering and music production. That experience gave me a much deeper understanding of how professional productions are created and how to bring my own ideas to life more effectively.

It also taught me the importance of staying curious and open-minded. The music industry is constantly evolving, and I believe artists should never stop learning or be afraid of new technologies and approaches. Whether it’s modern production techniques, new software, or innovative creative tools, I always try to grow with the times while staying true to my musical identity.

For me, the combination of experience, education, and openness to change has been one of the most valuable lessons in my musical journey.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Cubase has been at the center of my creative process from the very beginning. I started with early versions many years ago, and today I work 

with the latest Cubase Pro version. To be honest, I still discover new features from time to time—which just proves that learning never really stops.

When it comes to plugins, I rely heavily on Waves and Plugin Alliance. Modern software has come a long way, and many of these tools sound remarkably close to their analog counterparts. They allow me to achieve professional results while maintaining flexibility throughout the production process.

That said, if budget were no object, I would still love to own some of the original analog hardware that inspired so many classic recordings. There is something special about working with the real thing. But ultimately, great music comes from creativity and emotion, not just equipment, and today’s technology gives independent artists incredible possibilities.

Which indie artist or song are you 

loving right now?

At the moment, I’m listening to a lot of artists like Robbie Williams, Samu Haber, and Harry Styles. I actually attended a Robbie Williams concert recently, with Samu Haber as the opening act, and it reminded me why I love this style of music so much. Great melodies, strong songwriting, and authentic performances never go out of fashion.

As a singer, I have also been heavily influenced by voices like George Michael, Freddie Mercury, Tom Jones, and Robbie Williams. Each of them had a unique ability to connect with an audience and make every song feel genuine and memorable.

While my own music follows its own path, these artists have definitely shaped my understanding of what great pop music can be.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

My personal experiences have influenced my music in many different ways. After performing hundreds of live shows over the years, I’ve learned a lot—not only about music, but also about people, teamwork, and perseverance.

One of the biggest challenges has always been balancing music with a full-time job and family life. There are only so many hours in a day, and at some point I realized that I had to make choices about where to focus my energy. That was one of the reasons I decided to leave the band after many successful years together.

Even so, I always had the feeling that there was more I wanted to achieve creatively. The idea of releasing my own music never completely left 

me. When I rediscovered my old songs, it felt like the right moment to finally take that step and see what could happen. Instead of wondering “what if,” I decided to give it a real chance.

That mindset—continuing to grow, explore new opportunities, and follow creative instincts—has become an important part of my artistic vision.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I don’t necessarily want listeners to take away a specific message from my music. More than anything, I want them to feel something.

I hope people can relate to the emotions and experiences within my songs. The stories I tell are often based on situations and feelings that most of us have encountered at some point in our lives—love, hope, loss, memories, and personal connections.

If listeners can recognize a part of themselves in a song and walk away with a positive feeling, then I’ve achieved my goal. Music has a unique ability to create emotional connections, and that’s what matters most to me as an artist.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

One of the most important lessons music has taught me is that a truly great song remains a great song, no matter how it is performed or arranged. You can play it acoustically, with a full band, or as a modern production, and it will still connect with people. A weaker song usually depends on the production to survive.

Music has also taught me the value of patience and perseverance. Many people see the exciting side of being a musician, but behind every release, performance, or recording, there are 

countless hours of hard work, learning, and dedication.

Creating music is incredibly rewarding and enjoyable, but it also requires commitment and resilience. Over the years, I have learned that success rarely happens overnight. The artists who keep growing are often the ones who continue moving forward, even when progress feels slow.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I have been fortunate enough to perform at some incredible venues during my years as a singer in a touring band, including the Lanxess Arena, Mitsubishi Electric Halle, and ISS Dome. Standing on stages like those in front of large audiences is an unforgettable experience and something I will always be grateful for.

Those performances taught me how powerful live music can be. There is a unique energy that comes from sharing a moment with thousands of people, and it’s difficult to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

Rather than focusing on one specific dream venue, my goal is simply to continue reaching new audiences with my own music. If that journey leads me back to stages of that size one day, I would certainly embrace the opportunity.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with any artist, it would probably be Robbie Williams. I’ve always admired his ability to combine great songwriting, charisma, and authenticity while never taking himself too seriously.

A duet with Robbie would be a lot of fun—not least because over the years, a few people have told me that there are similarities between our voices, which I always take as a compliment. Whether that’s actually true or not, I’ll leave for others to decide. 😊

Beyond that, I think Robbie has a unique talent for connecting with audiences on a very human level. Working with an artist who has inspired millions of people around the world would be an incredible experience.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music?

Listeners can follow my musical journey on Instagram and YouTube, where I regularly share new releases, videos, and updates about upcoming projects.

Instagram: @marco_fruechtl

 YouTube: Marco Früchtl

I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen, watch, share, and support independent music. Every stream, comment, and connection means a lot and helps keep the journey moving forward.

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Like many musicians, I’ve always dreamed of hearing my songs on the radio. There is something special about knowing that a song you created is reaching people you may never meet.

Looking ahead, I would also love to perform my own music live once I have built a larger catalog of released songs. After spending many years on stage, I know how rewarding live 

performances can be, and it would be exciting to share my own material directly with an audience.

And if I’m being completely honest, I would love to make a living from music someday. Work is work—but music is a passion. Of course, creating and releasing music also involves a lot of hard work, but it’s the kind of work you gladly invest yourself in because you truly love it.

For now, my goal is simple: keep writing, keep releasing music, keep learning, and see where the journey leads.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope listeners discover that my music comes from a genuine place. I’m not trying to teach lessons or tell people what to think. Instead, I want to create songs that evoke emotions and allow listeners to connect with their own 

experiences.

If someone can identify with a feeling, a memory, or a situation within one of my songs, then that’s incredibly meaningful to me. At the same time, music doesn’t always need to be analyzed. Sometimes it’s enough to simply let yourself be carried away by a melody, a voice, or a moment.

Ultimately, I hope listeners discover an artist who values authenticity, emotion, and the timeless power of a good song.