Is it already Christmas? In any case, Sarah Connor already gets us in the mood with her album “Not So Silent Night”. And that, although it doesn’t sound like “Silent Night” at all. The ntv.de interview with her is also about fairy dust, seven men and everything you could wish for.
Three years ago we sat together for an interview. At that time it was about your album “Herz Kraft Werke” – and with Corona you thought primarily of a kind of beer. How do you remember that time before the pandemic?
Well, up to that point my whole life was before the pandemic. (laughs) But I actually remember the year 2019 as very exhausting. First my song “Vincent” came out, then “Herz Kraft Werke”, then I was on tour – like the years before. And before that I was still pregnant … At the end of 2019 I was very exhausted, actually almost on the verge of burnout. I remember sending a prayer to heaven: “I need a break!”
And then Corona came…
Yes, that was really scary for me. I was sitting on the balcony at home, Berlin was dead quiet and I thought: “I didn’t mean it like that!” (laughs) Nevertheless, the situation in 2019 was completely different from today, for example. 2022 was probably the really toughest year of my career so far in terms of workload. But the difference is: Now I’m totally happy, fulfilled and happy. I’m constantly tingling with anticipation for every appointment and everything I have planned. Actually, I’m not that type of person.
Not really?
No, actually I’m more inclined to melancholy, depression, “darkness” … climate crisis, pandemic, war – there are just so many reasons to question the world and life. But I think at the core there is a primal optimist in me who keeps kicking the pessimist in the butt and says: “Look how lucky you are, you’re healthy, you have beautiful children. Look how the world is beautiful!”
Last but not least, the music industry was severely affected by the measures to contain the pandemic. Your collar has burst publicly…
Yes, but not because of the measures. And also not because of my personal situation – I don’t have the financial hardships and existential fears that other people have to suffer from. I was just angry about how differently politicians dealt with different industries. The event and artist industry has been told all along that it is irrelevant to the system. That’s why there was no help for a long time – for my crew, the 200 people I employ when I’m on the road. But that is their existence. Some people are really desperate.
What do you think is the reason why the culture industry was not given priority?
We just don’t have a strong lobby. Nobody is particularly interested financially in representing us. The artists and their crews are primarily on their own. I therefore felt that the way some things were decided was very unfair and illogical. I wasn’t just angry, I was also sad and resigned in the end. I thought nobody would come to a concert anymore – after these two years full of fears and worries. Legitimate concerns! I have a particularly sensitive child at home myself, and that’s why I was very worried.
The fear that no one would go to a concert anymore has fortunately not come true. On the contrary: you get the feeling that people are starving for experiences of this kind…
That’s exactly why I’m so fulfilled now – after the 50 concerts that we played again and the feelings of happiness that were released. So many people came! In the first half of the year, you could still see how self-conscious they were. Many still wore a mask, although it was no longer mandatory. But within two hours everything was forgotten and people got emotionally involved. It felt like we were sprinkling fairy dust wherever we go. That was a huge gift.
As an artist, you spread the fairy dust. But how is it as a private person – do you go to concerts yourself?
Yes, but unfortunately not as often as I would like due to time constraints. For example, I looked at Dua Lipa because I think their Future-Nostalgia record is really great and I listened to it a lot while running. That was in the Mercedes Benz Arena. It’s cool to be in the ranks as a fan and be like, “Hey, you’ve played that a few times too.”
Now you’re giving a couple of concerts in Berlin’s Verti Music Hall, which is right next to the Mercedes-Benz Arena. From November 26th to 29th you will be performing there under the motto “The Christmas Concert”. And all four evenings are almost sold out…
Yes, that’s wonderful, especially since many bought the tickets without even knowing what I’m going to play there. At the time it wasn’t even known that I was releasing a Christmas record. Especially not what would be on it and that it would be in English. I hope that it will feel just as good for the people who now normally listen to my songs in German. When they hear “in English”, many people might first think of my songs from before. But the really big difference isn’t the language, it’s that I’ve been writing my songs myself since the album “Muttersprache”.
You asked your fans on Instagram to send you song requests for these concerts. Does that mean that if I wish for “O Tannenbaum”, then you’ll sing it too?
(laughs) You can wish for anything! Especially at Christmas. But we’ll see if that comes true.
You have also announced concerts with “Herz Kraft Werke” for the coming year…
Yes, that will be the last part of the tour for the album. Because of Corona we couldn’t play many concerts. But the 2022 shows were just so cool now that we’re going to do it again next year. I just feel like playing and I’m happy when people come back.
The album “Not So Silent Night” that you are now releasing is actually your second Christmas album after “Christmas In My Heart” from 2005. Unlike back then, however, this time you don’t set music to evergreens like “White Christmas”, but have completely new songs at the start. How did that happen?
I wasn’t in the mood for the classics this time – I’ve done that before in 2005. I like to sing them at the Christmas concerts now, but when I make a record today I want to tell my own stories. As a working mother, I really have enough of them! When I think of Christmas, the first thing that comes to mind is not the Jesus story or the Holy Feast, but what I still have to do and think about until then: “Has the gift arrived yet? Did you tell him Did Santa Claus know? Or: Oh no, now this or that relative is coming to visit – help!” (laughs)
Musically, the album offers quite a range. There is, for example, the opener “Jolly Time Of The Year” with big band sound, the almost fun-punk title track or the jazzy bouncer “The Christmas Song” …
Yes, I also worked with different producers who all had very diverse sound ideas. I myself get bored quickly when it gets too one-sided. For example, when this swing beat came up, I immediately said, “Cool, let’s do this.” I also love a song like “Blame It On The Mistletoe” with honky tonk piano that reminds me of my musical origins.
Why did you decide to do the album in English?
Because I just wanted to have fun and not think too much about the language. I wanted it to be less cerebral and more from my soul. Singing and writing in English is the most natural thing in the world for me. The language is much friendlier to lyrics, to rhyme and to soul. In German it is almost like a science to say something as simply as possible so that it reaches your heart, but also to choose the words that are easy to sing.
The album was made on the Greek volcanic island of Santorini earlier this year. Not the first place that comes to mind to get into the Christmas spirit…
It was so absurd that it was actually funny again. We wondered to ourselves: “Are we really flying to Santorini now?” I’ve never been there before but it’s beautiful. During the day we had around 15 degrees. In the evening it was very cold and windy. But the house was very cozy and we had no distractions. As a mother of four children, I can never work with such concentration. So we were really productive, which is the most important thing at the end of the day.
The production team you were there with consisted of seven men. How was it for you?
They weren’t all there all at once. (laughs) And it was really nice: we lived together in one house, cooked and ate. At the same time, everyone had the opportunity to take time for themselves. Me, for example, in the morning when I went into the water and just wanted to be by myself. I didn’t even know some of the guys until then. Nico Santos, on the other hand, is a good friend. And I’ve also been friends with Nico Rebscher for many years. So I knew: It will definitely be a good time.
You were also a coach with Nico Santos in 2021 on “The Voice of Germany”. Was that a one off thing for you or do you see yourself doing the show again?
Not for the first time. I’d turned that down time and time again for years. Not because I don’t like the format, but because I just didn’t feel like watching TV. It’s very time consuming and you’re very busy. It was so much fun doing one season. I would therefore not rule out a return forever. But right now I’m totally happy to be able to do what I do best: be on stage and touring myself.
Your daughter Summer already has stage experience. At your concerts in Leipzig and Vienna she was allowed to sing a song herself. Is there competition in your family?
Oh, I haven’t played first fiddle in the family for a long time. We only ever listen to the songs my kids write. The two big ones (Summer and son Tyler) have been in England since September. It’s been very quiet at home since then. My son is studying music, production and songwriting in London. He’s brimming with ideas – I’ve had 74 voice messages from him on WhatsApp this morning alone!
Ups …
Yeah, I can’t even get around to listening to all of that. But what I hear is great. You can tell that he left our orbit and now has other influences. I find that extremely important. The two should now develop and feel themselves without constantly having my shadow behind them.
You have published videos of Summer’s performances on your Instagram page. Some other things you post are also very private, like a picture of Tyler after he graduates, or a public declaration of love for your husband. How do you decide what to share about yourself?
I do that when it’s things that really move my heart. The moment Summer turned 16 was one of those. Since she was ten, it has also been her biggest wish to be able to sing something on my stage. As far as the children are concerned, we have been very persistent in ensuring that they do not appear in public until they are 16. Even if the feedback is often positive, it is always an evaluation. I want to spare all my children that, at least until they are 16. I would do the same if I wasn’t known myself.
You often don’t mince words when it comes to political issues – whether it’s about Corona or refugees, the Ukraine war or the protests in Iran. Many people are overwhelmed by all the crises at the moment. How are you?
I’m overwhelmed too. I take refuge in my work and distract myself. At the same time, I counter the powerlessness that one often feels in crises, but also with activism. I think it’s important to give myself the feeling that I can make a difference. For example, we have taken in a Ukrainian family. Two weeks after the war broke out, I was at the train station with Tyler and Summer helping the refugees arriving. There I met a woman with two little boys, whom I offered to rest with us for two days. She stayed and is still there. In the meantime she has become a real friend of ours.
Are you a news junkie who is constantly informed about the current news situation?
No not at all. My head is really sensitive and I have to be careful what I put in there. For example, I can’t watch horror films either. And I probably couldn’t work for a news site either. As an author, my job is to always look and record where there are stories that emotionalize me. But if that happens all the time, that’s too much for me. I have to protect myself and my soul there.
“Christmas 2066” is the name of a song on your new album. How do you imagine Christmas 2066?
The song is such a dystopia with a wink. But he also has the serious message that we must take care of this earth. Of course I believe science when it says it probably won’t snow again in 2066. Glaciers will have melted and sea levels will have risen. Famines and mass migrations are the result. When I talk about 2066, I don’t think about the fact that everything will be super fun and we’ll be traveling around in flying cars. At the same time, I want to be optimistic: For me, especially at Christmas, it’s part of being able to believe in the magic and the fairy tale that everything will be fine after all.
I still have the question: How are you celebrating Christmas 2022?
Very traditional. We decorate the tree together. My husband and I stuff the goose and make this terrible roast. (laughs) Normally I hardly eat any meat, but then I do at Christmas because the roast is simply part of it. Stuffing, sewing and checking whether it’s turning brown and not burning is a real ritual. Also that the children withdraw in the afternoon, have to occupy themselves for two hours and get bored – until Santa Claus comes.
In your thoughts on Christmas, which you wrote for your new album, there is a remarkable sentence: “Please make sure that Santa Claus comes on time and doesn’t have a flag again.” A true story?
Sure, of course! I also once had a Santa Claus who was a total fan and was dying to take a picture with Bambi. (laughs) I was amazed that Santa Claus saw it from the North Pole.
Well then: Merry Christmas and toi, toi, toi with Santa Claus…
(laughs) Thanks! Same to you!
Volker Probst spoke to Sarah Connor