Funny jazzman and expert on the show “Pārdziedi mani” Andris Freidenfelds: Jokes are like dumbbells in my mind

From November 30, the musical show “Pārdziedi mani!” will be shown on Latvian Television for eight Saturdays. Eight popular Latvian musicians will take part in it, who will play a piece in a predetermined musical genre in each episode – from rock to folk music.

The participants of the show “Pārdziedi mani” are evaluated by three experts every week – one of the constant commentators will be singer, radio and television personality and comedian Andris Freidenfelds, who agreed to a conversation about comfort, participation in the program and humor. before the program.

Evelīna Stiene: When thinking about the public image of Andras Freidenfeld or Fred, the general public would think of adjectives related to joy and fun. How would you describe yourself?

Andris Freudenfelds: I am very shy and cautious. I measure seven times and only then might I cut something once. I am convinced that one should walk carefully through life and be guided by intuition. You must listen to what he says, and then you can live peacefully. But it’s good that I’m also associated with jokes.

Aren’t they every day?

Of course it is. Also, what other people see does not disappear in everyday life. As I am on stage, I can also be at any time and any other place of the day. I see jokes as training.

Others go to the gym and lift dumbbells, but in my mind, jokes are like dumbbells.

I keep myself in shape by dealing with situations, what other people say or write, and various other situations. So, of course, now and then I also work at home with peers, friends, teammates or group members. I always have a dumbbell of humor or satire in one or two hands.

What makes you step more out of your comfort zone – mental training in your circle or competition time or times when you need to joke in front of the community at large?

I feel like I live in a comfort zone all the time. I used to push my limits and try a lot more. In the depression of youth, when I still didn’t know what suits me, what I can do and what suits me. Now I have become more sensible and maybe even more selfish – I want it to be easy for me. Offers come to me to get involved in various cases, which I mostly refuse. I have learned to say “no” – this is very important in life.

But still, you never said “Sing Me Out”. Why do you think your intuition told you to participate?

For I myself do not need to sing or judge strictly. If I had been offered to showcase my skills in different genres of music, I would have definitely refused. I have made it very clear to myself that although I work in the world of pop music, I am not a singer or a musician. “Sing me” is a competition for singers. Moreover, I was not even offered to be on the jury, but in the role of an expert. My job is just to express my opinions and a little rant. Of course, you have to send the signs, and it is very strange. For example, it is terrible to judge the achievements of Ieva Akurateres or Jura Kaukulis.

Then you need to step out of your comfort zone. Like singers.

Yes, and it’s awesome! (smile)

Why?

Because of inconvenience. But on the other hand, they themselves have agreed to it.

If they want to step out of their comfort zone, let them do it, that’s great.

But I am – not forever. It’s good to test the limits of your abilities from time to time, it can reveal something new about yourself. You could still try something new at “good quality” concerts. It is a common environment, however, and one can experiment there. For example, I have also sung in Italian or danced in German. But for me to go to the show and try a flat spot… I don’t know, there’s a lot of confidence. All credit to the musicians for what they do on the show.

Musical performances will be judged by three experts. Every week, one variable representative of the particular genre visits the studio and I assume that this person will consider more than the ability of the musicians to present themselves in the particular genre. Marija Naumova, with whom you will sit at the familiar table every week, is a singer and will be able to evaluate a musical performance as a whole. What exactly is your profession if you don’t call yourself a musician?

Of course two experts will have the right to give a full assessment, judgment and opinion. I will not be among them. Although we all have the same responsibilities, I see myself as a traffic light, a court bouncer and a spy. I also perform such duties there. I’ll try to make the atmosphere a little lighter.

Isn’t it hard to always ask him to play the joke of the court?

It is difficult. I don’t like it. There are other things in me. That’s why I leave everything now and again. For example, such torture had not been on the airwaves for 11 years. There was a break from clear and open, targeted banter. Maybe at a concert or a show, a joke came out that it was him, but it was not a condition for me to work for several years. Sometimes it feels like the whole country is waiting for the moment to cry, and to be honest, it gets a little nerve-wracking. Everything should be done in moderation.

I take it that’s why you don’t do stand-up shows? Recently, they have become popular and most likely will bring them some financial benefit.

I was offered to do them, but I don’t want to, because that format looks like a forced joke. At least in my case.

Stand up shows go against how I joke and who I am.

A deliberate two-hour program with jokes rehearsed in front of the mirror and repeated night after night would definitely push me out of my comfort zone and be challenging. I am a motivated person and a reporter. Funny jazzman. I start with some theme and then see where it goes. Sometimes you get to play well, and other times – worse. Stunt shows are more like acting. I have to remember the text, mime, gestures – I couldn’t do that.

You said there hasn’t been a joke on the airwaves for 11 years. Recently “Radio SWH LV” the legendary morning program “BB breakfast”, which you hosted with Ufo, then and now, has appeared on the air again. Would you say it’s really made a comeback, since times, people, and the jokes themselves have changed?

I myself have also changed over the years.

Compared to 11 years ago, jokes today have many limits. How do you approach that in the context of the show? Don’t you have to censor yourself?

If I had said a few years ago that there is nothing to joke about and that nothing should be said, now I would say that the pendulum of political correctness and taboos is coming back from the other side. Times change all the time – one minute you can joke about something, then you can’t, but after a while you can again. And so all the time. We’ve hit rock bottom, but we’re coming back. I think we will dig like we did before, I think that is what is expected of us. We want to believe that we are really back and we will continue as we once started. Unless we’re suddenly jailed or builders are standing outside our houses with signs saying “Jokes off!”.

It would be an interesting twist.

If there had been a picket, that would have been great because we would have had some community activity. But I think it won’t be like that – everything is going smoothly in Latvia. You can raise prices as much as you want, you can create inflation as needed, you can spend money, you can reduce wages and pensions – no one is going out, and no nothing happens. So why should people fuss over jokes? Well, it won’t work. We can climb on people’s heads as much as we want. (laugh ironically) Politicians stand on one shoulder, UFO and I – on the other.

Why do you think it is important for people to joke?

I have been told especially now, in the dark months, that it is important to keep the lights on in the rooms. Others may think that they could already save the electricity and the light candles, but now, in November, when it is already dark and gray, it is good the big light to light

For a brighter life?

It reduces depression. And you know

A joke is also like a lamp that gives light to your life. Joking – no matter the subject, even death or illness – becomes easier.

People with strength of spirit and humor remain strong, even when they are sick or in the face of great sadness. Feeling better. Jokes are needed. They are indeed a light that dispels the darkness of the world. Both in our own inner world and in society as a whole.