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Pop star Forster 2019 in Berlin
Photo: Frank Hoensch / Getty Images
More than 50 percent of the people in Germany are fully vaccinated - and people in the music industry are slowly starting to believe that the days of excruciating beach chair and drive-in concerts could finally come to an end. The great artists prophylactically release their post-corona albums. He is already suffering from physical withdrawal symptoms, well-known singer-songwriter Mark Forster at the end of yesterday's first list that Apple Music organized for his album "Musketeers", which was released today. So much in advance: Forster's new album is again leisurely German pop, but it breaks out mildly in a few places, for example the song "Leichtsinn" with the great duo "KitschKrieg".
In this case, a virtual listening party meant that the new songs were played briefly, selected fans appeared in the stream and were allowed to ask questions, and a moderator said "crazy" or "mega interesting" after Forster had answered the questions. In spite of everything, it is also routine in the life of a great pop musician who has been in business for over ten years.
And because Forster is one of the most unexciting artists in his branch, everything went differently than with one of the most excited musicians of our time: Kanye West. He had invited thousands of viewers to two listening parties in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in July and August - but there was still no new album. In between he had taken up residence in a small room in the arena that was very reminiscent of a prison cell. There was a countdown on the wall. It was said that he would continue to work on his album there until it was really finished. In a soundless live stream, viewers could watch West sleep.
Of course, Mark Forster's album "Musketeers" hit the well-known streaming portals punctually at midnight, and fans could note it in the Apple media library so that it would appear there for publication.
This was often pointed out in the 45 minutes of the first list.
At Forster, too, there was a countdown in advance, but this did not come to nothing, because at the announced time the musician and moderator appeared and had arrived in the approachable, impartial manner with which he then chatted through the next few minutes.
"She was nine," says the moderator
Via stream, a girl asked what story was hidden behind the song “Musketeers” and why it was used as the album title - and Forster, very professional: “In my songs I sing as openly as possible about my most secret feelings, but I don't speak over it. "The moderator said:" The beauty of art is always that it remains mysterious and inexplicable. "
Forster jokingly asked how old the girl was, maybe 27?
It is always difficult for him to judge.
"She was nine," says the moderator.
A guest musician is briefly in the picture and the song "Are you okay?" Is played.
Later the conversation turned to Forster's role models, an older fan wanted to know which musicians of the past he would have liked to record a song with. The Beatles, of course, so Forster, but he could also imagine, in the eighties, with Motörhead for a weekend briefly "putting together" a record. The fan, however, said that Peter Gabriel would fit in very well and that he could give him the contact address right away. Forster said: “Okay, cool.” And the moderator: “We'll just let the music do the talking.” Another song was played, Forster sang: “I'll write a hit for you and everyone will sing along, but it won't cheer you up . "
Again and again, when there was nothing left to say about the artwork or the "uncompromising sound" of a feature part, fans waving exalted were faded in in small, now familiar boxes and reminded of the
outside
, which should take place again soon.
A tour is planned for November, Forster said towards the end of his live streaming event.
It has had to be postponed three times so far.
And for this album he did not travel around the world as usual, he recorded it mainly in Berlin.
It is different from its predecessor.
At the same time, he also learned that you can find real feelings and adventure at home.
The moderator asks Forster: "A more intimate album than usual?" "Maybe I'll just sit alone in a room with the next record," said Forster, and: "I hope I'll be able to see you for real again soon."
The hit "The Day After Tomorrow" was played.
The stream has ended.
