As a teenager I had the privilege of going on international tours with my father, while working as the sound engineer for his band, The Dennis Bovell Dub Band. Seeing them perform on the same stage as artists such as The Roots, The Wailers, and Mc Solaar inspired me to develop as a musician.
Off tour I was in the studio gaining invaluable experience while watching my dad, write, produce and mix songs for a variety of artists from Alpha Blondie to Wet, Wet, Wet. In addition to on-the-job training my dad also instilled in me the value of a formal education. So I went to college to study Performing Arts then graduated with a BA in Commercial Music.
You're a self-confessed 'messed up guy', how did this affect in the sounds of ‘The Emergent EcleKtic’? Who's the 'Emergent EcleKtic'?
Bobby: Being a self-confessed 'messed-up guy' enables me to write honest music for people who, like me, want to love themselves but still want to experience personal growth.
The album title, 'The Emergent EcleKtic', refers to the single narrative emerging from mulitple musical genres.
What about the process of creating/recording this album?
Bobby: The process of creating this album was a lenghty one. Some songs such as 'Rosie' and 'Hiding' were written a few years ago. Other songs, like 'New' and 'Love, Hate' and 'Wrestle with Angels', poured out of me like water. There were songs that I'd write then a few months later I'd revisit to rewrite the methaphors or change the song's structure. It was fun to see the evolution of a song during the creative process. My producer, Chris 'Baby' Brooks, and I started with 20 songs then weeded out the ones that didn't fit the concept of the album. I really enjoyed being in the studio and creating. I was fortunate to have talents like Linslee Campbell, Paul Blake and Mark De-Lisser there to record vocals, offer direction and assist with vocal production.
What artists are the biggest sound influences on this album?
Bobby: I'm really inspired by artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Bob Marley. I admire those artists whose lyrics provide some form of social commentary; music that is not just music for music's sake. I'm really influenced by jazz, soul, reggae, latin, folk, electro funk and a whole bunch of genres. That's why the album is so 'ecleKtic'.
In the album, we can find some guests; Ricardo 'Rocstarr', Jahaziel Elliott, Joel Duntin, Damian Chandler & Muyiwa, etc. Tell us about these collaborations.
Bobby: The collaborations on the album are very special to me. The featured artists are all friends or friends of friends. I know Joel Duntin from the church singing circuit, and have always loved his voice. I met Jahaziel when he came to the studio during one of my recording sessions with Linslee Campbell. Muiywa and I were on the same course at university. I've known Ricky 'Rockstarr' Williams and Michaela Mathieu-Marius, of The Company, for years. They were introduced to me by my producer, Chris, 'Baby' Brooks. Chris also brought Damian Chandler onto the project. I've also got Mark De Lisser on backing vocals.
The Sounds from ' The Emergent EcleKtic' with BOBBY BOVELL
What sounds can we find in the album?
Album Tracklist
EXCHANGE: hip-hop pop with electro beats.
THE WAY: reggae with a 70s feel.
NEW: melodic reggae soul.
ROSIE: bass heavy reggae with a 80s dancehall vibe.
KNOWN: Nu soul vibe over hip hop beats.
POSSIBLE: electronic futuristic funky soul.
HIDING: British hip-hop soul.
LOVE, HATE: latin infused soul.
ME, MYSELF AND GOD: upbeat pop/rock.
WRESTLE WITH ANGELS: acoustic folksy soul.
SUPER LORD: soulful rock.
THE EMERGENT ECLEKTIC: a soothing soulful lullaby.
Tell us about your upcoming projects, plans, gigs and future appearances.
Bobby: My website bobbybovell.com goes live on 1st April. That will be the main point of contact for connecting with 'EcleKtivist'. There will also be the live shows. I'm performing at Zoo Bar, Copenhagen on 7th April. There are 'The Emergent EcleKtic' album release shows in Copenhagen on 14th May and London on 26th May. Full details will be on the website. We're working to make the live shows an exciting musical experience. I'll be performing with a full band and a few surprise guests. If you're in these cities then please come and check it out.
I'll also be filming music videos this summer and doing other gigs that will be posted on the website once they are all confirmed. For regular updates you can follow me on @twitter.com/bobbybovell
In the future I hope to be making music, acting, snowboarding, and preaching the message of hope.
What's you message or advice for the readers, music listeners, fans and specially young performers?
Bobby: My advice is identify, nurture and trust in your god-given talent; it is what gives us a clear picture of what we are supposed to do to make the world a better place.
'The Emergent EcleKtic' is out NOW.
You can preview the album and purchase it on the following links:
The CD album is available from:
- http://www.BobbyBovell.com (from 2 April 2011).
- CD Baby
You can download the MP3 album from:
- Digstation
- iTunes (UK)
- iTunes (USA)
- iTunes (AU)
- Amazon
Schiller is an electronic project founded in 1998, achieving 6 chart topping albums and 1,000,000 copies sold in Europe.
As a major collaboration project, Schiller has worked with artists such as Sarah Brightman, Tarja Turenen(former frontwoman of Nightwish), Sinead O’ Connor, Moya Brennan (of Clannad), and many many others.
Now, Schiller introduces the new US version of his album "Breathless", featuring once more a huge number of notable collaborations. The release also comes packed with his 5th studio album "Desire". "Desire" (entitled Sehnsucht in Germany) went on to achieve platinum status and featured guest apperances from Colbie Caillat, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Swedish dance singer September and more.
Introspective, spatial, visionary, luminous and yet dark, human but also ethereal, Schiller invites us to share his new musical journey... a breathless journey, no doubt.
INSPIRATION
"Breathless" is inspired by a voyage aboard the research vessell Polarstern. Tell us more about the journey that led to this new musical experience.
Schiller: Being on the Polarstern (Polar Star) was something completely new and different for me. I love to travel, but this trip was really something very special. It felt like being on another planet, no connection to 'home', no phone, no email, but a swimming island which was floating through a part of this planet which is not intended for humans to stay in, not to mention to live in. The vast landscape, the wide horizon - these images helped me to reset my mind, to reset my musical voyage. when you stand on the deck, in the middle of the night, but the sun is still shining bright because you are even north of the polar circle, you look at the skies and the icebergs...this feeling cannot be put into any word...it left me speechless, yet breathless, and the title for my latest album was born...
Musician & producer, Christopher von Deylen aka Schiller.
"Breathless" represents a new chapter, a new facet in the history of Schiller. What subjects are present in this new album?
Schiller: Well, it is not easy for me to analyse my own music. but I think "Breathless" represents a very intense and deep emotional aspect of me. The new tunes really capture the listener, they are somehow haunting and mysterious. To pick a single particular subject is difficult for me. Contrasting emotions and moods are very important I guess, sometimes the lyrics tell a story, or they create images and a certain atmosphere. In conjunction with the new schiller-sound, I try to create something original, something new.
You talk about curiosity when making music. Tell us about the importance of curiosity, the curiosity in the process of making music, a curiosity that leads to create...
Schiller: Always create something new, but still follow your path, that is the credo I am trying to live up to. Not always easy though, but curiosity is the most important motivation for me. Without curiosity, we would simply repeat a certain pattern, preparing the same dish every day. Exploring new paths enables me to reinvent the sound of Schiller and keeps my musical mind awake. I wish that I will never lose it.
REINVENTION
Schiller keeps reinventing himself... Do you consider important a general "human reinvention", a reinvention of values, a reinvention of minds ? I mean, at this point of human history how could we reinvent ourselves?
Schiller: I am convinced that reinvention is the key to our future. Yes - you could argue that everything has been said, written or done at this point of human history, but is there an alternative to reinvent ourselves ? Learning from history is one thing but transforming this into a new and exciting future is the real challenge, everything else would lead to stagnation and deadlock. So I am trying to reinvent myself, including my music and my spirit every single day, not always easy though...
Sunrise with Lenka: I met her in Berlin and we decided to collaborate. I sent her two tracks, she recorded her vocals in Los Angeles, I put everything together in Berlin.
Try with Nadia Ali: Sent her an uplifting track, and she recorded her performance in New York. Very nice result. Nadia joined me for a couple of concerts in Europe after that.
Playing with Madness / Mia Bergström: Swedish singer Mia Bergström came to Berlin, we recorded for two days. This track is one of my favourites of "Breathless".
Unruhig Herz with Anna Maria Mühe
Anna is a german actress, her father, Ulrich Mühe won an oscar for the movie "The Life of Others". I like her romantic voice a lot.
Another scandinavian singer - Kate comes from Norway, and we recorded two songs. "The Fire" became a real anthem during our 2010 Arena-tour in Germany.
Leidenschaft with Jaki Liebezeit
Legendary drummer of german krautrock-band "Can". his unique style of playing the drums has always fascinated me. We met for nearly a week in a nice studio in Berlin, and working with him was really fantastic. A very, very curious man...still...
Under my Skin with Kim Sanders
Kim has been on nearly every Schiller-album since 2001. I like her voice very much. She has a very emotional voice. We recorded the songs in my studio in Berlin.
Un Solo Minuto with Odette Di Maio
An italian artist from Milan. I heard her voice on the soundtrack of a CSI Miami episode and fell in love with it...I went to Milan, and we recorded "Lost Again" - also in a hotel-room.
Let it Rise with Midge Ure
Frontman of british 80's legend "Ultravox", one of the few male voices which really inspires me...we met at his place in the South of England. The resulting "Let it Rise" is a haunting tune we also performed live a couple times.
Always You with Anggun
Indonesian-born singer Anggun lives in France, she is a stunning beauty and mega-cool. We recorded two songs - one in berlin, one in paris in a hotel-room. "Always You' is a very emotional piece of music, she also joined us on our 2010 tour.
Germany's electronic pioneer - former member of Tangerine Dream. Still curious...we met for a long weekend, locked ourselves into his studio. a great artist indeed he is...
We recorded "Time for Dreams" in a studio in Berlin. Actually in the middle of the night, because he had to go to Australia the next day. One of the few true and honest cosmopolitans in music...
13 YEARS OF SCHILLER, THE FUTURE
Different artists, different languages, different voices, Schiller is a project of collaboration. How was the experience after all these years with all these amazing collaborations? How does it feel to be able to think back and see that the project has grown and keep growing?
Schiller: Good question. Actually I try to avoid looking back. It's the past, the past is over. I try to keep my mind 'now and in the future'. Sometimes it is nice though to think of the past as an inspiration for the future, but I am not a big fan of praising the past...after all, I would like to make the most out of the time I have left on this beautiful planet. Looking back is a distraction, a waste of precious time.
What is Schiller looking forward for the future?
Schiller: I will play a purely electronic tour in europe in late 2011, instrumental music only. A new challenge for me, and a very exciting project. Of course I am looking forward to the next musical voyage...
What's your message or advice for the listeners, readers and young musicians?
Schiller: Find out who you are and be it - No compromises.
