Interview.
By Dagmar v. Taube
Tokio Hotel is the most successful German rock band. He is their musical brain: David Jost, 36, wrote successful songs like “Durch den Monsun” for the four from Magdeburg . And now the number-one hit “I Like” for Til Schweiger’s comedy “Zweiohrküken” (Two ear chick). Dagmar von Taube spoke with the Hamburg music producer.
Welt am Sonntag: Every kid knows Tokio Hotel. However, they never see you. You hide yourself?
David Jost: Not at all, I just don’t speak well in front of cameras.
Welt am Sonntag: Is there a formula by which you produce your permanent Hits?
David Jost: No, I usually don’t even know exactly when a song is really finished. I often worry that there is still something missing or that you could leave out anything. If you can leave out anything, it’s usually a good sign. Let’s say I write a long song until I get the feeling that the soul on my left turns. I want an emotional state, on which I’ll remain. Try this, I get as close as possible to hang onto my instincts: Fear, longing, sadness. If a song is too hyper-intellectual, and too perfect, it is dead. Songs will be even better if you subsequently install a few small errors.
Welt am Sonntag: Mozart composed at night, often under time pressure. Pete Doherty writes to Amy Winehouse: Totally drugged. How do you do it?
David Jost: It is probably a little disillusioning, but mostly I write at night, sitting on the bed, surrounded by fractured chip bags, while the TV is running without sound. While writing, I forget everything around me. Whatever might distract me is immobilized. I work through some nights. Then you sometimes feel like the waste of the song you’ve just written.
Welt am Sonntag: Music and searches – inseparable?
David Jost: Searches can be done without music.
Welt am Sonntag: It means that you feed yourself purely on caffeine pills.
David Jost: Is caffeine in chips?!
Welt am Sonntag: When was a hotel suit last trashed?
David Jost: There will certainly be times where again, cool bands with “the” in the name throw televisions through a hotel window. I find those kinds of moments rather silly.
Welt am Sonntag: Honestly, why is this Tokio Hotel craze a madness fever?
David Jost: Because the band wants to belong nowhere. That’s rare. Bill is consistently extraordinary. His emotional extremes are part his huge capital.
Welt am Sonntag: For example?
David Jost: He has a tremendous will, even as a little boy. Before the video shoot for the first single “Durch den Monsun”, he told me he wants the band logo tattooed on his neck. I told him that this wasn’t a good idea, and asked him what he would do if the single goes completely against the wall or he fights with his band mates till they break up and then he has this shitty logo on his neck forever. Bill said, and he was just 14: “I’ve wanted this all my life, to go out there. Now, I will keep this moment on my body, damn if it will be a flop or not.”
Welt am Sonntag: From you, is also a song titled “I Like” from Schweiger’s film "Zweiohrküken" (Two ear chick). Is that very easy: From hard rock to romantic comedy?
David Jost: I didn’t need to write the song for the film, it was already written. It was a coincidence that it had fitted well into the film.
Welt am Sonntag: Your phone’s ringtone?
David Jost: My phone is constantly set to silent mode without vibration. A friend once said that two people would be my type, never. But I hate ringing phones. I’ll always return calls. Or even not.
Welt am Sonntag: To Rock: Cola or Irish coffee?
David Jost: Tea, Coffee. Seldom any drinks.
Welt am Sonntag: Why do you actually write Tokio Hotel songs in L.A?
David Jost: Because I’m at best to rest and time to turn off this inner thoughts of noise.
Welt am Sonntag: How does that thoughts of noise sound like?
David Jost: Brrrrnzzzztrrrüüüüüükrtsch!
Translated by Särah K. (Administrator)
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