Richard Müller: Overcoming Past Trauma & Finding Joy

Singer Richard Müller has gone through addiction, creative crisis and huge success. In an open conversation, he talks about a relationship wiht his son, his father, pain and joy in creation. He admits that he cares more than fame – and explains why he writes slower today, but with more humility. And why aren’t he trying to be perfect. Just a better person.

Richard, what are your association when you say boomer?

For the younger generation, Boomer is a designation for older people who think they are no longer so trendy. Do you think it is an advanced age for the musician and the associated experience, or rather a disadvantage?

I take it as a very positive thing. But I admit that I do not have the best memories of the past. Though, now I feel marvelous. Of course, physical problems are daily – that just belongs to it. But in the last year I feel wholly cool in the last year.

So you’re no longer making the mistakes you made before, and you just do things as you want?

This is true all your life. My forty -year -old career I did things as I wanted. First of all, I always fulfilled my ideas and ambitions and then thought about the audience. I don’t want to sound disrespectful – it wouldn’t work without an audience, and I appreciate myself. But the situation is just like that.

When I use the term music calculus – could you write a hit type today?

I have a staircase on a plate daily – from well-known and unknown people who know me and think it will please me if they shout at me “up the stairs!” Of course it gets on my nerves, but I can’t do anything about it. I have to accept it, because without the song I would probably not have the coefficient of glory I have.

So it’s no longer your favorite song, but you have respect for it.

Exactly. And I admit it was never my favorite song. But he has an captivating story. During Communism, we released their debut with the Banket in Opus, Slovakia

Richard Müller: From Addiction-Fueled Creativity to Responsible Songwriting

Richard Müller discussed his songwriting process, revealing a stark contrast between his past and present approaches. He attributes the prolific, almost effortless songwriting of his earlier years – exemplified by writing an entire album for Filip in a single afternoon, including three simultaneous lyrics – to a period of addiction. While acknowledging the unpleasant aspects of that time,he recognizes it unlocked a unique creative flow.

However, with sobriety came a shift. Müller now finds songwriting more challenging, requiring a greater sense of duty. The lyrics no longer “just go alone,” demanding more deliberate effort.

He emphasizes that he doesn’t approach writing as a craft with a fixed schedule. Instead,inspiration strikes in the form of an idea – a slogan,song title,or a single compelling sentence. This initial spark is then nurtured in a notebook, or even on a cigarette box if necessary.

During his collaboration with Filip, Müller generated around 66 lyrics in a short period, from wich only six were ultimately selected. He deliberately withheld the remaining lyrics, fearing they would dilute the quality of the final product.

Richard Müller on Collaboration, Performance, and a Life in Music

I chose Ondra because he brought gorgeous songs. And I never think about if someone is younger. Either I understand that person or not. Ondřej and I made albums 55 and Black swan, white crow. to my sixty-sixth I am going to album 66 – And again, Ondřej will do it as the author of music and Peter Uličný as a lyricist. I will not participate in this album.

I am interested in one thing that concerns live performance. When a person is young, he can jump on stage and give energy – not only in word but also by movement. But when the musician sits or stands without movement, it’s different. What was the transition for you?

There was one problem situation. about three years ago I cut my ankle on my right leg. I underwent three operations. I don’t know if they were good or bad,but at that time I sat down for the first time. And since then I have been sitting – not only because my leg and knee ache, but I found that I was so much better interpreted by songs and lyrics. I have never been the type that runs on stage, so it suits me that way. And according to the reactions of the audience, I do not feel that it bothered him.

He is one of the most prominent personalities of the Czech and Slovak music scene. He won dozens of awards for his career, released over 20 albums and collaborated with a number of vital musicians – for example with Jar filip, Petr Hapka, Michal Horáček, milan Lasica, Ivan Tásler or Ondřej Gregor brzobohatý. He started his musical career as the frontman of the Banket group, which became famous as a staircase or Salieri. Since the age of 90, he has been solo.It is indeed known for its distinctive authorial testimony, charism and unmistakable voice. Along with music, he also devotes himself to photography – he has published two author’s books (America and Enter). His accomplished projects include vocal album Voices, jubilee 55 and recording Black swan white crow (2022). Under the Banket brand released a new album a few days ago slovenská shot. After forty years,Richard Müller remains a unique and respected figure of domestic culture on the scene.

Michal Hrůza: On Band Stability, Spotify, and the Joy of listening to Music

Do you like to change musicians in your band, or is it critically importent for you to have a stable team?

fortunately, I have had a great band for years, which we understand human and musically. We work as friends. I know I can rely on their performance 100 %. Sometimes, of course, someone new or guest instrumentalist appears. I would just like to add that I am not such a good musician that I can head to someone. I count on knowing what and how. And when a mistake happens, nothing happens – I don’t scare anyone. I am far from perfection.

When you drive by car, are you listening to the radio?

We have Spotify in the car, so I play what I want. If I don’t like something, I skip it. It may sound strange, but one of the greatest pleasures during the tour is just that we listen to music in the car. I’m crazy about music, I don’t do anything else. When I fall asleep in the evening before leaving, I look forward to watching the nex

Jan Haubert: “Duchoň Had Terrible Lyrics – Communist ones”

Jan Haubert, a prominent figure in the Slovak music scene, recently shared his candid opinions on fellow artists and the current state of music. In a recent interview, Haubert revealed a surprising lack of enthusiasm for Christmas concerts, stating he wouldn’t even be able to perform that repertoire.

When asked about the impact of Karol Duchoň, whose life was recently depicted in the film Duchoň, Haubert was blunt. While acknowledging Duchoň’s powerful voice, he criticized the lyrical content as “terrible – I would say communist.” He also recounted three brief encounters with Duchoň, describing them as unpleasant. “For me, he was never the type of artist I would take as a pattern,” Haubert stated.

Despite his critical stance on Duchoň, Haubert did express admiration for several other Slovak musicians. He highlighted Paľo Hammel, Janko Lehotský, Ivan Tásler, and the Peter Bič project as artists he respects. When pressed for further names, he admitted he couldn’t immediately recall others.

Do you feel any nostalgia for the times when albums were listened to from beginning to end, and not just individual songs from playlists? This question was posed by musician Miloš Pokorný in a recent interview. He recounted a conversation with Elton john about how many songs from a new album would be included in a concert, to which John replied, “Two.”

Pokorný expressed his desire to play as many songs as possible from his albums,Slovak Shots and Bioelectrics,even if it meant risking some fans. He noted that their current repertoire includes lesser-known, older material, but the audience has responded positively. He believes that his audience is accepting of whatever songs he plays.

Richard Müller Reflects on His Father, Generational relationships, and Legacy in New Podcast “Boomer Talk”

Czech singer-songwriter Richard Müller recently discussed his relationship with his father, his evolving connection with his son, and his outlook on his enduring fame in a new episode of the podcast “Boomer Talk” hosted by Miloš Pokorný. The podcast is available on Podcasty.cz.

Müller shared that he initially perceived his father as lacking dominance within the family. However, his perspective has shifted with time, especially when watching classic Czech films like Christmas with elizabeth (Vánoce s elizabeth), featuring actress Elizabeth Kachyňová. He now feels a sense of pride towards his father and regrets his early passing, believing he had much more to offer.

the conversation also touched upon Müller’s relationship with his 34-year-old son. he acknowledges a generational dynamic where he doesn’t feel as central to his son’s life as he would like, though he emphasizes that this doesn’t indicate a lack of understanding between them.He stated he strives to be the best father he can be.

“Boomer Talk” aims to explore comparisons between past and present, featuring interviews with guests from various professions. The podcast’s name is intended as a satirical take on the term “boomer,” often used to describe older internet users perceived as critical of younger generations.

The podcast description notes that the episode also delves into how Richard Müller views the decades of acclaim he has received, which musicians he respects, and a particularly memorable concert experience he’d rather forget.