Freipass # 45
“I would like to cook pasta with Roger Federer one day”: The Teufen musician Benjamin Amaru in the questionnaire
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Every week we pass the ball to artists from Eastern Switzerland and ask: what are you learning? What are you looking forward to? Today with singer Benjamin Amaru. In the questionnaire he tells us which extraordinary hobbies Ausserrhoden has recently been considering and what has changed for him since the pandemic.
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Benjamin Amaru released his EP «The Sofa Tapes» at the end of April.
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In May 2018 Benjamin Widmer released his first album under his stage name Benjamin Amaru. He quickly gained notoriety because Marius Bear from Appenzell, who will be singing for Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) this weekend, mentioned the musician in a Facebook post shortly afterwards. In March 2019, the singer from Teufen was named “Best Talent” by Radio SRF 3 and one thing led to another.
This summer, Benjamin Amaru, whose stage name is derived from the last Inca king, Túpac Amaru, will headline open-air stages in Switzerland, Germany and Austria for the first time. The 24-year-old’s performance on the star stage at the Open Air St.Gallen kicked off the festival summer for the 24-year-old. There he will also perform songs from his new EP “The Sofa Tapes”, which was released at the end of April.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCOb6eQckA
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What are you learning now?
Benjamin Amaru: At the moment I’m trying my hand at pottery. I find that very calming and a great change from everyday life.
What was the last thing you discovered for yourself?
Actually, I discover something new every day. But tiles are what I’m particularly fond of. Actually for the same reason as pottery: for balance. The more colorful and crazy, the better.
What has been on your mind the most over the past few months?
In general, I have a lot of things on my mind. But the conflicts of this world weigh heavily. I feel for the people in need and suffering.
Complete the following sentence: “If I hadn’t become a musician, I would be today…”
… maybe teacher, project manager, waiter, cinematographer, banker, designer, accountant, secretary, cook. The possibilities are endless if I’m being honest!
Who would you like to work with and why?
I would like to cook a plate of pasta with Roger Federer one day. I saw him in the Barilla commercial. It looked like he really knew what he was doing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7rOLRlqhuM
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Benjamin Amaru speaks of this pasta advertisement.
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Will the pandemic change the cultural industry in the longer term – and do you also see something positive in that?
In my opinion, the pandemic has made concerts and interactions with each other and with each other more difficult. When it comes to the way we consume music, I find it difficult to make a statement. However, I think the music has gained depth as we’ve had a lot more time to delve into it. A great many people have been isolated for a long time and music has been a welcome friend in such situations. I don’t know whether this will change the industry in the long term. But what is changing is the way we experience, feel, appreciate and interpret music.
What are you currently looking forward to?
I always look forward to tomorrow. Today is more important, but tomorrow is always a reason to be happy, in my opinion.
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