What was the beginning pint for your music career? How did it all start?
BONNIE: Back in the days, Hoffi and I worked in a institution for people with a handicap. He showed me some guitar-chords for a daily singing routine. After a while he said: girl – you got talent – so let’s start a band. Since that day we recorded 4 full albums, 4 EP’s several singles and videos and played up to 250 shows in Europe.
Was there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
BONNIE: There are a lot of situation you got to handle as a band. It is possible to get into trouble with the line up of the band or with promoters and companies. Some guys got others targets or they wanna change you and your style. Hoffi and I always said: we do our stuff. We write the songs we like and we are who we are. There are many people around with good advices. Listen to them – but decide yourself.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
BONNIE: A really outstanding moment was, when we presented our very first album back in the days. We had a big production with girl-dancers and a horn section. That was the kick off and a sign that we can do whatever we want – as long as we believe in ourselves.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
BONNIE: As a fact, my songwriter Hoffi and I decided at the very beginning, always to write and to perform what we like. That means, we are pretty open concerning “style”. We name our sound “Vintage Soul and Roll” – that means a mix-up of Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Rock, Singer / Songwriter. Priority is that the combination between music, lyrics and my personality works.
What is your creative process like?
BONNIE: I often come up with a idea – that can be a topic, or a feeling or a little melody and Hoffi take over and create a song. Than we work in our “Magical Mystery Room” – it is our studio and rehearsal room – on the ideas. We also record a lot of stuff there. Lately, we worked with different guys who supported us in producing, mixing or mastering. In the case of our brand-new single “8000 miles” we worked with Rico Horber, a powerhouse producer who lives in Spain.
Please check: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45tMK-cqQvI
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
BONNIE: As far as we can see, industry changed a lot the last 30 years. In fact, I guess that today everybody has a chance to participate on the market via internet. But there are again some big players who take it – maybe their names changed. What we see as a shame is, that a lot of the economy-driven radio-stations play the same 100 songs all year long and on the other side, that lot of people spend 300 francs for a stadium concert but have little interests in smaller venues with unknown bands.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
BONNIE: After all we know we just say: Do your thing. Listen and respect others – but help yourself.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Bonnie: One of the best shows we played so far was together with Aynsley Lister in a full packed club called “Mühle Hunziken”, one of the nicest live-places in Switzerland.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
BONNIE: I was a midwife and a teacher in my early years. I like people – so I would probably work for a relief or in a strandbar?
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
BONNIE: As mentioned above we have our brand-new single “8000 Miles” out now. You can find that one on spotify and the video we made in a planetarium on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45tMK-cqQvI
Furthermore we currently work on new songs and are looking forward to hopefully play live later this year. Please find us on www.bonnieandthegroovecats.com!
Thanks for the interview and all the best!!!
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