Lucas Fendrich sings in German for the first time

For the first time, Lucas Fendrich lends his voice to German lyrics on his solo album “Rezeptfrei.” However, he is keen to carve out his own path, deliberately choosing not to rely on the influence of his renowned father, Rainhard, whose assistance he has consistently declined.

Lucas Fendrich has distanced himself from his former life: On his inaugural solo album, “Rezeptfrei,” which debuted on March 14, the 39-year-old ventures into singing in German for the first time, presenting a shift towards pop music rather than his previous indie style. “It took a bit more time as it never quite felt right,” the singer and songwriter remarks in an APA interview regarding the shift in this direction. “As an artist, it is crucial to follow the guidance of your heart.” On Thursday, he unveiled the album, accompanied by a live concert, at Vienna’s “B 72.”

In a charming Viennese coffee house, the artist remarked that he once found it easier to articulate his thoughts in English. I was raised on English-language music and attended an American school. It was only to be expected that one would sing in English. My preferred bands hailed from either England or the USA. At that time, I was immersed in the indie pop-punk scene, aspiring to achieve global stardom.

With the alternative rock-pop band Hunger, established in 2015, Fendrich experienced what he describes as “rather impressive international success.” Their second single, “Amused,” features prominently in the soundtrack of the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” which is produced by Selena Gomez. Taylor Swift has included the song on her own Spotify playlist. Nevertheless, the pandemic brought a sudden halt to the trio’s aspirations: “The coronavirus thwarted our intended US tour,” Fendrich remarks. “We returned to Vienna on the final Austrian Airlines flight from New York.”

Then the air was suddenly gone. “I required a bit of space, collaborated on some music with my brother – and then the invitation arrived from ‘Dancing Stars’.” He had, on multiple occasions, declined such an offer. “But suddenly, I found myself with time on my hands,” Fendrich chuckled. He regarded participation as a potent antidote to his panic attacks: “I thought, if I could manage this, I could tackle anything else.” I was utterly incapable of dancing. That was quite challenging. It was with the television programme that I first established my reputation in the country. I felt a sense of pride in my ability to maintain composure on stage.

Subsequently, Fendrich expressed a desire to embark on “something new.” “My manager inquired whether I would be interested in composing something in German.” I had never attempted that previously, but why not give it a go? I assembled a rather impressive songwriting team and reached out to producers I had encountered throughout the years. They were all quite enthusiastic. After dedicating more than a year to crafting approximately 80 songs, we submitted them to Sony. They considered it rather splendid. I had never experienced a significant deal prior to this, absolutely remarkable.

Now “Rezeptfrei” awaits its audience: “The album showcases a remarkable diversity in sound style,” Fendrich proclaims. “The record label initially claimed it was making significant strides in various directions.” There were a total of 20 songs available for selection, and the variety was even more extensive. I simply indulged in all the things that appealed to me. With the final selection of twelve songs, it all fell into place beautifully.

Lucas Fendrich has come to terms with the inevitable comparisons to his father, Rainhard Fendrich: “I’ve never allowed it to affect me.” What is the purpose of contemplating it? Such constraints would merely stifle my creative endeavors. I am precisely who I am. My father is simply himself. When you remain authentic to your own values, all is well. If you choose to forge your own path, no one has the power to hinder your progress. Incidentally, I have never sought assistance from my father; I have consistently managed everything on my own. I find myself entirely at ease within.