Fancy Interview 2016 (Part II)

Here the second part of this exclusive interview to Fancy done by Talking Forever Fanclub

1.  What do you think is the main reason people still enjoy the eurodisco 80’s in nowadays?

I think they loves it, because it’s timeless music. Also young and different generations like this music.I think is to dance, the sound is easy to dance and it’s important a good melody, the mix between a good melody and to dance, this comes together and then it works.

1.   The “Back for Good” of Modern Talking gave a big influence for an important revival of the Eurodisco music in 1998. Do you think a next revival of this music can be possible?

Yeah, I think Modern Talking is an example that is also in the 80’s. It was first in MT and BBB and all the artists coming on 84-85. This was a time situation and time spirit, and I think this was coming in the 90’s again, with the rap and rappers were doing it and then from us coming. So I think is a music for the people around the world, and they keep these songs on the mind, they like the melody and they can dance. I think that’s why this is evergreen and timeless.

1.  Many young producers worldwide are currently trying to remake the old 80’s Eurodisco style, what you would say to them?

It’s ok, it’s a compliment when somebody is trying to make this 80’s music, is not bad, but the original it’s the original, you know what I mean. There are acts and the originals. And then if somebody is doing it later, the same style, is not bad… I am sure the sound of those songs are good. The future will see, also from the radio, hits now or from the charts in ten years. We will see, what is an evergreen from 2000’s to 2010’s, or from 2010 to 2020. You can watch later if they are an evergreen from the time. From the 70’s and 80’s we know, from the 90’s also. The time will show.

1.  The production of physical records is not the same than before since many years already. Now are more popular the digital releases, but some options like the streaming platforms don’t bring the right retribution to musicians.  Which is your opinion regarding this problem. How do you think should be the music distribution and purchase process in nowadays?

This is the time spirit, first was the vinyl record, then came the CD, digital then, now the streaming and download, like this, but this is fast, and you have the song fast and get it quick from the internet, but it’s different when you have a vinyl on the hand or CD, it’s different.

It’s a different situation, now I see that the time is coming that many people and also companies… people is liking vinyls and companies are checking that so they are doing now, new vinyls incredible…. This is a new styling and is very modern, because it’s a different thing when you have a big vinyl on your hand or when you have from internet the song wherever and you have the access but you have nothing, you can only listen. And the vinyl and the CD is a little bit more, it’s better for the people I think.

The time is running, the time spirit is incredible what you can do, with internet, things like this.

1.   There was a release called “Fancy and Friends” and it contains an interesting selection of many of your participations for another singers. Maybe can you give us a clue. When is coming “Fancy and Friends II”?

When is coming?... Yeah I promise... with the first Fancy and Friends, there are a part II that is coming, you are right, and we will do it this year, I hope on fall, this year will be released. The first Fancy and Friends was a special limited edition, so the second part II, we will do also a limited edition, but we will bring them around the world, on CD could be and on vinyl also, so it’s ok you will get it also by eBay and also by Discogs, ok, that’s normal, this is the normal way now. But for special fans and for people that likes this music, is nice to have this on CD directly or the vinyl. We will see. This year we will have “Fancy and friends Part II.”

1. In 2013 Adam Pokorny made an interesting compilation with many of your productions, this is called Another side of Fancy.  In fact was already released a part I, II, and now is announced a third part. How came up the idea of make this compilation?

Adam Pokorny was looking a long time to find out all these masters, because the masters sometimes were not there for every song, so he had a big work to find them, for bring it together, then there was a CD and he made different parts. And I like the making of “Another Side Of Fancy” because it shows me as producer and advertise a lot of other artists. I think he will do another collection, I’m sure, from “Another Side of Fancy”. This would come... could be next year.

1.   What kind of music you listen in your free time?

Yeah, I told you, I have a little bit the 80’s music I like. But also, sometimes classic music, I like different styles. What I like is big hits. 
Here in the radio, in the hotel, it’s fantastic, they have a program that every song is a hit what they are playing. Some radio stations, play different songs, some are never heard or I don’t like, next I like. But here there is a radio program I like every song, it’s fantastic!.

Latin music also, sure. There are another big program with latin music.

1.  This is a question that was sent from the Pet Shop Boys fans. We know that you produced some of their official remixes, right? And in some of your performings you sing some covers of their songs, Do you consider a fan of Pet Shop Boys?, how was for you to work with them?

They were produced by Bobby Orlando, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, both guys from England. They went from New York back to England, and at the same time they had Westend Girls producing and the company said ok - to me -, please do us remixes from two songs of the PSB. “Westend Girls” and “One More Chance”.  So I made it and have it on Fancy and Friends on these CDs, this both PSB songs.

These are my two remixes for the PSB, then later I visited sometimes in concerts in London or in Munich, where they had concerts so we talked about… There is a german movie star, not famous in Hollywood, Hildegard Knef, she died, she was an old lady and she had a very characteristic voice.

And I told to Christ and to Neil Tennant, the singers of PSB, I want to work with her, “It’s A Sin”, in a german version with german lyrics, singing Hildegard Knef. But this was not possible because we had a perfect lyric in german for “It’s A Sin” and Hildegard liked this song. I was in Berlin, I visited her, she made own texts, own lyrics for this song, so we had different lyrics, one from Hildegard Knef and one from Sabrina (Sabrina Lorenz). I liked lyrics from Sabrina more, and then we had a problem with Hildegard, she said: “No, I want sing my lyrics”, and we said from the production “no, we like the Sabrina’s lyrics more”, so it didn’t success. But I made with Hildegard Knef on the Fancy and Friends a ballad, so she is on this CD also, with the ballad of “Ways Of Love”. This is the story about “It’s A Sin” in german language that was not possible… it’s a funny story, I told to Neil Tennant that, and he said oh!...

2.   We know you also like to paint, besides the music, which other activities you enjoy to do?

Besides the music, you see, I am travelling a lot, I need a little bit of rest also. I go on Friday to fly wherever. I am working for a Foundation, first for human beings, I am supporting to orphan kids, they were found down on streets, have not parents, no homes, and then I have on the other side, for animals, also for tigers. I made, for example, a big territory in Slovakia for two lions, these were lion babys, very little babys, but now they are big lions, sister and brother. I am happy about that, they have a nice luck and they have a lot of space. And this also give me a good feeling that I am supporting homeless kids, they are found, and one of them, they gave him a name, a birthday,  so then they brought him to my orphan house and later he came to Slovakia and there works for the tigers, so this is a good foundation. And I see he is closer with the animals, not with the people… you understand?, he likes animals more, with humans beings he had bad experiences.

2.   Is there something that you regret in your personal life?

If you listen a song, it’s original from French people and Paul Anka made an English lyric of the song, and it was a hit with Frank Sinatra and the song is called “My Way”. In this song is everything, listen to “My Way” and then you will know… I have nothing to explain… and there is also a regret but there is everything in my way.

I made it in my sound, wait for Fancy and Friends, you will have it on the Part II, “My Way”, it’s a very special cover version and I made the end close to the nice orchestra with Nina Simone, she made a fantastic version of My Way. Listen my “Fancy and Friends” Part II.

2.   Have you some last words for your South American fans?

I am surprised and I am happy at same time, because it’s really amazing for me... the people were enthusiastic. I like the way how they react to a concert. The mentality is closer to me. For me, I like North America also, but I like south America more. It’s a compliment. 

Gracias, muchas gracias!!.

Thanks a lot dear Manfred!! and we hope to see you again soon!!

Fancy was in Lima on 2nd April of 2016, you can read the report of his concert here.

Exclusive Fancy Interview 2016 (Part I)

Fancy was in Lima on April 2016 and I had the chance to meet with him and make this interview.

1.   We have seen the videos of your performing in Bolivia and Argentina, now you are here in Perú. Which is the impression that give you to visit South America? How do you feel the people here?

Yeah, it’s a bit different from North America, middle America and South America. South America, this was my first time in Argentina and in Bolivia also. I see here in Perú, when I arrived, (I had arrived yesterday), the enthusiasm is so nice and the people are charming, nice and enthusiastic, I like it.

2.    I see that your shows are always full of enthusiasm and you bring a performing full of energy and life, that I think you have nothing to envy to young stars like, don’t know Justin Bieber and so… from where come such energy and charism that you always put in your shows?

I think this is coming from my broad as producer. I told, all those artists, they should look for the audience, they should not be on stage, to get the glorification in the middle point. They should be for the audience, for the people and for the fans. This is my message to all artists, so in this way I am doing the same on stage, I’m looking for the audience, when they are happy then I am happy

3.     Going back to the beginning. Music was always present in your family and home?

The music when I started, in the 70’s, was in Munich, the sound of Munich. There was Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and other artists. The Rolling Stones produced music in the studio in Munich. I met Jimmy Hendrix in 67, The Beatles was in 65, so this was the old time, old spirit of pop in the 60’s and in the 70’s. And In the 80’s as producer, I had one song “Slice Me Nice” and that I made with my voice so with this hit I was going around the world and since this time I am Fancy on stage

4.    It is said that you were studying for become a monk, is that truth?, Do you consider yourself a religious person?

Yeah, I was in a gymnasium in Germany and this was a monk school and also monastery. My parents wanted... I should be a monk, but I was too in pop music in that time, playing guitar and I said no!, this is not my life to be a monk, I will go on stage and will be musician doing pop.

Sure, I am happy that we are Catholics, because this is a religion that is very helpful for people. I am happy to be a Christian.

5.    What was the reason that made you decide to let all and follow the musical path?

In the monastery, I compared, I said this life is not for me, I will do the music. I think for my life was ok. I think I can do for the people more with my music. Ok the life as a monk is also important, but this was not for me, because I wanted to play the music.

6.     Is true you started working with Frank Farian and Giorgio Moroder?

Yes, Giorgio was in Berlin first, and then I was in Berlin visiting, he made a course of sound of 1970’s in the beginning of 70’s. And then he came to Munich. Then he was in Alabama house, he made the music in studio there, there was the Queen, Rolling Stones and he was producing  “I feel Love” of Donna Summer hit, he was started…. all the very very international hits he had, so the music sound of Munich was the disco sound of Munich, was in the 70’s and then we made the Italodisco from the 80’s.

7.     Can you remember your first professional work?

The first... I was very happy and lucky because “Slice Me Nice” was a disco hammer. Before I produced artists also. We had in the 70’s, we produced the music in studio, works there with Giorgio boss and the Union Studio was there, Frank Farian produced in the Union Studio, Boney M, and I had the same musicians that played in Boney M because the next session, was my session. I recorded, Claudia Field “To Love Somebody” or another production of mine. This was a small group of musicians. This was the sound of Munich, disco sound of 70’s. Later in the 80’s we had keyboard playbacks. Normal musicians weren’t in the studio…  drums, bass, guitar, keyboard… no!!. In the 80’s there was a computer keyboard, a computer playing. One musician played all, the drums, played the rhythm sounds was in the computer from a drum. So and then he played everything. This wasn’t needed time a lot but was very clean, this brought in the 80s then, the bigger break…  “OMG you do the playback in studio with one musician!”. Ok on top the choir came, the girls were singing chords like that, or you have very special rhythms, so ok, or sometimes the saxophone player, what you going on top, but the reel, the basic playing was made from one keyboard. Up from the 80’s.

8.    You started singing german schlager as Tess Teiges, what can you tell us abou that?, Did you like those times?

Schlager music, yeah, Germany has this schlager sound, this is a very special music, with german lyrics, so I made, I think, 3 - 4 records in german language, but this was not my way, I went to international productions like Giorgio or Frank Farian and with English words that were going around the world.

With the german language is only national for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. That’s all. Ok this is a market also, but this market is very special and has nothing to do with our disco what I’m doing, disco from the 70’s, disco from the 80’s, discofox and italodisco.

9.    Which are your main inspirations and influences when is time to create a new song?

My inspiration, I would say, I had always different inspirations from other pop artists. I told you about. From the Beatles, I was in their concert in 65. It was a big impression for me. The Rolling Stones, I didn’t like so in that time, The Beatles more. I like Jimmy Hendrix, also, his old hits, he made and had and there was a lot of groups from England, there was also from America, they had in this time. All these influences of these different artists, with the disco sound we had in Munich, this combination was my sound.

1.   We know that you collaborated with a lot of people in the music industry, was there anybody with whom did you enjoy to work something in special?

I like different artists, when somebody make some hits, I heard this and I’m happy. When I see that my feeling was right, when I hear a song first time, from "X", from whoever artists, doesn’t matter, I say… this is a hit!. And then, sometimes, yeah I’m right, that’s interesting. So I also listen some classical music, to relax. I produced with  Sinitta from New York one time, O Mio Babbino Caro from Giacomo Puccini.  It’s a completely different situation but I like the sound and we made it very serious and then we made one version hard disco sound, that’s very special, Giacomo Puccini and the disco sound.

1.  This is a question that well, I usually ask to musicians involved in disco music. Do you feel the disco style, despite its popularity and the success of several iconic disco stars, is a bit undervalued inside the mainstream music?

The 80’s music is like evergreen, is timeless going around the world. This is in many many countries of the world, from South America, Middle America, Mexico, up to United States till Canada. Also from here to Europe, all Europe till Russia, Siberia. Everywhere, this endless sound is in Asia also, Vienna, Thailand… They like this music disco music of the 80’s, Discofox of the 80’s.

To be continued...

Fancy In Lima - Perú (Report)

On friday, April the first, Fancy arrived to Lima. It was about 5 am and a group of fans were already waiting for welcome him. We got to see him in the shows of Bolivia and Argentina, but this time was the turn of Perú. Fancy appeared with the same look of always, well known wherever he goes. He had a time for talk with his fans, give them some autographs and then he asked them to let him go to the hotel and rest a while, (he had a really long travel from Germany to Perú).

This same friday I had the chance to talk with him and interview him, actually I was happy for that honour and I didn't expect it could be that easy, he simply accepted and also was kind enough for avoid that other people disturb us during this time. The interview was very interesting, I could learn more things about his personal life and work. He was very funny and patient too, making me some jokes. After that, he had to run for the meet and greet that was scheduled in a local pub. We arrived together to the Koka Kinto and a lot of fans were already waiting for him. All them started to record with their smartphones as soon as they could see him coming. 
There was about 200 fans who were total satisfied after get their autographs and some pictures together Fancy. 

On Saturday I ran into Fancy again, he invited me to go with them for eat something, so we all went for a little dessert because still was a bit early for the lunch. We had a time for chilling a moment while we were waiting for the next plan. Fancy this time had to go to the RPP group, a known radio and TV peruvian station, he had scheduled an interview in a known show of  entertaiment in "Radio Capital". He answered there some questions and finally he gave away one of his more preciated records "Fancy & Friends", to the moderator.   


After that everyone went to lunch, unfortunately I could not follow them this time, so Fancy took my hand to say goodbye, but I promised him to see us in some hours, because his concert was this same night.

Finally, the time for the event came, the fans of Modern Talking and CC Catch could meet again, some even from other cities who travelled specially for this event.  It was a bit accidental encounter, but the time was perfect.  For this same reason the wait was unbearable, we were so excited and wanted to see the Fancy show, people were dancing and drinking, some DJs and cover bands were making the opening, later even some dancers from the public took the stage while we were waiting. It was already over the 1 am and we had to wait one hour more for Fancy, who at last! appeared in the stage with his classical leopard colours jacket. 

Fancy started the show with his song "Slice Me Nice", then came "Chinese Eyes", where while singing, he waved the peruvian flag, this action made emotional to his peruvian fans. Then he continued with "Running Man". Many fans tried to reach his hand and Fancy didn't deny it to anybody. When the song ended he told some words in spanish and the fans started to scream loud his name again and again Fancy Fancy!!. The next song was “Bolero”, he started it giving away his autographs to all fans he could and then he continued singing it with emotion. Then came the songs "Lady Of Ice" and "Flames Of Love". People was dancing and singing very excited.


Party continued and Fancy then sang a disco tribute with cover songs of Pet Shop Boys like "Go West" and "Always On My Mind", plus "Your disco Needs You". 
After that he said good bye to the public, but only for a while, because of course, that could not be all the show, people was claiming for him loudly. So Fancy came back for sing a special medley. the songs included in this medley were "Latin Fire", "Colder Than Ice", "Bodyguard", "In Shock". Then he again left the stage, but the public claimed for him again, one more please, everybody wanted he come back. So for happiness of people, Fancy came again and sang this time a new medley, A Bolero Mix, that started with "Slice Me Nice" then "Chinese Eyes", "Bolero", "Lady Of Ice" and "Flames Of Love". So finally Fancy said us good bye, this time for real. It was the end of the show.

 

We were already in the first hours of sunday, and I knew he had to depart at 7 o'clock, so considering that the show was over about 3 o'clock, we had just 5 hours for rest a little bit and then to go to the aiport. So we did it that way. Fancy made me a last joke in the hotel and we totally exausted for the previous long night went together to the airport. 
We had to accompany him to take his flight and see for a good arrival to his homeland. We got to take us the last pictures and made the farewell. Finally he said us good bye with a kiss to all of us.

I am grateful with Discomania Perú that allowed me the coverage of this event and also very grateful with Fancy for his kindness, his patience and all the time he shared with us.

The interview to Fancy will be published during the next months.