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Name: Thomas Lemmer
Nationality: German
Recent release: Thomas Lemmer's new album Hope is out via Sine.

If you enjoyed this interview with Thomas Lemmer and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit his official website. He is also on Instagram. Facebook, twitter, and Soundcloud.

If you would like go even deeper, we recommend our earlier Thomas Lemmer interview in which he expands on an even wider range of topics.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration, like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics, etc. play?

I have a strong intrinsic motivation to write new music. I enjoy the process of creating something new. Whenever I finish my work on a new track, I feel inspired to make another one.

Of course, sometimes, I struggle with ideas. But over time, I learned to be patient with myself and continue working on new ideas.

However, for many ideas I have, I'm directly inspired by sounds. This could be just sitting in front of a piano or working with a synth patch that inspires me for a new song.

For you to get started, do there need to be concrete ideas – or what some have called a 'visualization' of the finished work? What does the balance between planning and chance look like for you?

When I develop a first idea, it sets the direction for the rest of the creative process. I start by working on a chord structure and melody. If I like what I come up with, I refine it further by creating a rough arrangement for the entire song. After listening to the rough layout, I assess if I need to extend melodies, chords, or add other elements to make the song more engaging.

Although this is a structured approach, I allow room for improvisation and unexpected inspirations. For example, while working on a song, I might discover new sounds or ideas and decide to follow my intuition and deviate from the plan.

Ultimately, music is about emotions and it's crucial to prioritize them over structure. This is when I let go and allow the creative process to unfold naturally.

Is there a preparation phase for your process? Do you require your tools to be laid out in a particular way, for example, do you need to do 'research' or create 'early versions'?

As said, I usually work very structured, and end-result focused. This means I laid out my studio in a way that I can switch on any synth, and it’s immediately connected to a MIDI and audio track in my Cubase session.

So I prepared a template that has all external instruments connected already. Each track is named, my favorite send effects are loaded, and the master bus is prepared so that I can immediately start working. This way, I can entirely focus on the creative process and won't be distracted by any technical stuff. The synths are also placed in a very ‘ergonomic’ way. So I can reach the synths easily from my desk.

Regarding ‘early versions’, I typically always work on the ‘final version’. I occasionally take an idea I previously recorded on a field recorder, such as at my piano in my living room, into the studio for further development.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

Sometimes, I dim the light when recording or mixing. Especially when mixing, I do this very often. This helps me focus more on the music, and I’m not so distracted.

I once heard about this technic from Bruce Swedien, the sound engineer who recorded all Michael Jackson albums. So I tried it out, and it’s really true. Our first senses are our eyes. Visual things distract us easily from the music. Working in a dark room when mixing can make a difference. At least to me.

What do you start with? How difficult is that first line of text, the first note?

I would say it’s pretty balanced in my case. Sometimes ideas just come quickly. Sometimes I struggle. These situations frustrate me sometimes. So it’s better to quit then and start something else. In the end, you can’t force it.

But I often found that when ‘giving up’ and allowing myself not to push it, there is the idea suddenly. So putting too much pressure on yourself often leads to nothing.

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control over the process or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

Definitely. While I tend to control the process pretty much, I learned quite early that giving up this control is the best way to get to great music. In other words, let the music guide you.

Don’t hang on to your first vision. If, during the process, the music leads you to other places as you originally intended to, then follow this path.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

That’s a profound question. But I honestly think, yes, there is.

I’m unsure how to explain this, but music transports feelings to other people. It fascinates me that the feelings I put into my music resonate with some people who listen. I experienced this several times through feedback that I got from strangers. These people wrote me about how my music helped them in difficult times. They wrote about how connected they felt when listening.

So there is something in music that crosses all borders and reaches other people's hearts. I also had this experience when listening to other artists. Some of these songs touched me deeply.

I also believe God gave us creativity to make this world better. Art connects people. Art makes life worth living.

Especially in the digital age, the writing and production process tends towards the infinite. What marks the end of the process? How do you finish a work?

I finish a song if I’m happy with it and have nothing more to add. If I reach this state, I will close the project. A few days later, I'll listen again. If I can’t find anything I would change or improve, it’s done, and I’m open for the next one.

What's your take on the role and importance of production, including mixing and mastering for you personally? How involved do you get in this?

I feel like I’m more of a producer / writer. So the production and mixing side is essential to me, and I invest a lot of time into the production and mixing process.

I typically hand my songs over to a mastering engineer.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

I usually need a bigger idea for the next album to work on. Just some rough ideas of the direction I want to go, and I can start.

But yes, I often felt this kind of emptiness. I made the experience that the longer I take a break from composing, the longer it takes me to get back into it, almost like a muscle you need to train.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

I think there are many parallels. The better I understand how to make excellent coffee, the more energy I spend on making the best coffee.

It's similar to music. The longer I study and learn about music, the more sensitive I become to all the nuances, and I try to raise the level constantly. My coffee still has enormous potential to get better. After all, I love coffee. And it's the same with music.

The more I know, the more I see that I know nothing. So it's a good point to keep working on myself.