EconomyTechnology
© Hannes Caspar
Why did you agree to this interview for the NRW-USA year?
The USA has always played a significant role in my life. I visited the country early on, even before my music career took off. I also learned the language when I was quite young, which helped me to fit in quickly. What’s always struck me about the USA is the sheer enthusiasm and support you receive when you have a unique talent. Americans have an innate warmth and hospitality, which is quite different from what I’ve experienced in Germany.
Our ties with the USA have borne fruit on many levels. I think that deserves acknowledgment and support.
© Hannes Caspar
As you were born and brought up in NRW and now reside in Düsseldorf, how did your journey with the USA begin?
It started in 1990, when I was 24. I worked as a set driver on a film by Sönke Wortmann and befriended the American actors. This led to my first trip to the USA, visiting these friends in Los Angeles together with my cousin who was studying in Richmond, Virginia. We traveled from LA to Virginia and ended up in New York. That trip was my first encounter with Hollywood. The differences between LA and the working-class vibe of Richmond really stood out for me. But New York felt closest to home because of the mentality of its people, which seems more European.
What do you associate with NRW and the USA as a composer and a musician?
I currently spend most of my time in Germany and the USA, and actually speak with Americans on the phone daily. Switching between German and English has become such a normal thing for me that they almost seem like the same language now.
NRW has such a rich artistic tradition, with so many connections to the USA. For my own part, I organize an event in Düsseldorf called the Approximation Festival. Once we hosted the New Yorker composer Steve Reich from the “minimal music” movement. As he was very well connected to local galleries, he already had deep ties with the arts in NRW. The collaboration and exchange between these regions is profound – something that many would only expect to find in Berlin. Still, I believe cities like Düsseldorf and Cologne are equally pivotal when it comes to this kind of exchange. The Ruhr area has really been making significant strides.
In your daily interactions, what differences do you see between Americans and Germans?
There are all the clichés, of course, but actually it’s hard to generalize. There are so many exceptions. That said, since the USA is the world leader when it comes to the movie industry, it’s simply at another level professionally. Germans tend to be more cautious, while Americans are bolder and willing to take risks. For example, when I was in New York, I met two young women who launched a TV channel that became a great success, despite the risky financing situation. Their story embodies the American spirit of resilience: “You have to believe in yourself” in the USA.
© Misan Harriman
Has your relationship with the USA evolved, particularly before and after winning the Oscar?
Absolutely. Post-Oscar, there has been a noticeable surge in interest. Many Americans that I’d met throughout my career reached out to congratulate me, which really touched me. I’m not a huge celebrity there. My performances in New York, for example, are generally for very small audiences, but I enjoy them and at least I don’t lose money. Before the Oscars, I never appreciated how many people actually watch the ceremony, but then I got this inpouring of congratulations.
After winning the Oscar, is there more interest in your work now and are you getting more projects?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that the number of projects has increased, but the requests have. Now, I have the luxury of being more selective and choosing projects that resonate with me on a personal level. I don’t necessarily go for the big projects, but instead choose those where I can identify with the subject.
Lastly, do you have some kind of life philosophy that you’d like to share with us?
Let me think about that. Well, if I had to pinpoint a life motto, it’d have to be something along the lines of “Luck doesn’t just fall in your lap.” What I mean is that you have to be ready for the day when luck comes knocking at your door. If you align your life according to your goals, luck will generally find you. You have to dispel of any self-doubt or thoughts that make you believe you can’t reach your dreams. It’s essential to prep yourself mentally, so when the opportunity arises, you can seize it fully.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and stories with us, Hauschka. We look forward to the next projects you’ll pursue, either here or in the USA!
Learn more about Volker Bertelmann (Hauschka): hauschka-net.de
