Once all of this has been clarified, the songs have been selected and the setlist determined, the implementation begins. But it’s often not that easy, especially with your own songs – because they still have to be written. “Sometimes you can’t think of anything for weeks, then all of a sudden you have a lot of ideas, suddenly you are inspired by a certain catchphrase or a snippet of words,” says composer Löffler about his work. Text and melody usually come to mind together, but it usually has to be tweaked umpteen times until everything fits perfectly.
All of the songs Hog sings need to be pitched so that her voice harmonizes perfectly with the arrangement of the songs. The singer and composer inspire each other, exchange and try out ideas, and send their recordings back and forth. After several test runs, each individual song is then rehearsed until it is free of errors. Then it goes on with the vocals, reports Hog: “As a rule, I also sing the second and third voices in addition to the first voice, which then have to be embedded in the mix of the song. This procedure is necessary for every song and requires a lot Patience on my part and on the part of the composer and arranger Hansjörg Löffler. “
After any corrections have been made, the songs are mixed down. “A filigree and elaborate job,” emphasizes Hog, which she, however, is in the best hands with Löffler. After all, he only recently passed the “Audio Engineer” exam and is already planning further training courses in order to keep up to date with the latest developments in studio technology.
The mixes that have now been created are listened to via the “Ambros-Music” label and approval for mastering is given. “During the mastering, the individual songs are polished to a high gloss and the volume is adjusted according to general audio guidelines,” explains Hog.
In order to get everything ready in time for her first Christmas album, she had sung the songs in the summer – it was different with the new album. Was that helpful? “Yes, in fact it is easier to get into the Christmas spirit in the winter. On the last album we had 35 degrees in places. One drawback is of course being able to get started in Corona times. This requires a lot of creativity and, of course, good coordination. ” Although it is relatively easy to keep your distance in the studio with two people, you still try to limit the contact to a minimum in order to keep the risk of infection low. With their appearances, however, it is not so easy: almost all of them collapsed in 2021, and there was no income. For example, due to the pandemic, there were mainly creative phases alone in the studio or alone at home in their own studio. “I especially missed live performances, my audience, my fans. Here I am happy again when I can experience all of this. I would like to take off in 2022! At the side of my composer Hansjörg Löffler, of course. We can be curious!” explains Hog firmly.
Composer Hansjörg Löffler will celebrate Christmas with his family. Christmas is also a special celebration for Sabrina Hog – “especially with my little son Finn. Memories of my own childhood are awakened again. We always celebrate Christmas with the family, very traditionally. Of course, gifts under the Christmas tree and music should not be missing. And There is plenty of both! “, she explains with a laugh. In addition, as in the previous year, she will sing in the children’s church service on Christmas Eve. Alone on the gallery to keep the risk of infection in the corona pandemic as low as possible.
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