Interview with Chris Harms

“Metal-flavored pop”

Chris Harms is one of the hardest-working musicians in the German scene. In between albums of his main band Lord Of The Lost, he decided to release his solo album. The unexpected record, close in style to classic pop and electronic songs of the 80s and 90s, will see the light of day on February 7, 2025. The singer and producer promises us touching hits about love and heartbreak to the rhythms of synthesizers. Chris kindly took some time to answer my questions about his new creation.

Why did you steal Depeche Mode samples?

I didn’t, but since the entire album is produced using synths, keyboards, samples, and drum machines from 1980–1989, or digital emulations of that gear, it is highly likely that some songs contain sounds that have been used by others before. The synthetic world of that decade is limited, and that’s part of the fun. Limiting yourself to a specific selection of ingredients, rather than having endless possibilities, challenges your creativity in a beautiful way.

What I did steal, however, were some sounds and samples from ’80s movies or their soundtrack songs. For instance, some tracks from the Rocky soundtracks contain incredible drum samples, especially toms! I love sampling vintage elements and sneaking them into something new.

This technique was primarily used in early rap music, which started by building beats from reused vinyl drum samples and loops. But house and techno also sometimes rely on recycling old samples, layered with synthesis. This process is always a lot of fun and completely different from sitting at a piano and writing a rock ballad.

Some people expected your solo album to be in German. Why did you choose English for your songs again?

I never consciously decided that. I started writing the songs, and they all happened to be in English. I never questioned it. I also don’t think I would enjoy hearing myself sing this kind of music in German.

If I ever make another German album, like I did back then with Harms & Kapelle, it would probably be more of a singer-songwriter album, probably just with one guitar plus my voice.

What's been your favorite tech/sound toy on the new album?

Quite seriously, at the end of the day, all these sounds are just soulless waveforms. The magic only happens in combination with vocals and lyrics - at least for me. That’s why my voice is definitely my favorite "toy" on the album. Especially in guitar-free music, there’s much more room in the frequency spectrum for a deeper voice.

From a technical perspective, the LinnDrum drum machine is an absolute go-to for me, and I couldn’t keep it away from LOTL either since Thornstar. Another more playful moment on the album is the outro of Madonna Of The Night, where the song is recreated for a few bars using only video game sounds.

Which character is closer to the real you: the Chris Harms who sings in LOTL or the Chris Harms who sings on a solo album?

There is no difference. I am not a character. The Chris on the solo album is the same as on LOTL albums and in private life. Sure, the stage version of me might be somehow exaggerated or enhanced with all the makeup and theatrical movements, but I am not playing a role.

I did that when I was much younger because I thought I needed to appear cooler than I actually felt, larger than life, to compensate for insecurities. But for a long time now, I have been 100 percent comfortable with who I am, and I do not feel the need to hide it, mask it, or fake it.

You got so much attention from people all these years. Everyone around you admires you. How can you remain a normal person under these conditions?

There are also plenty of people who cannot stand me, probably even far more than those who like me. The more well-known you become, the more the number of haters grows exponentially compared to the number of fans. And I'm totally fine with that. What others think about me is none of my business.

But to answer the question: I do not know. I probably stay grounded because I see myself very differently, and I live a completely normal life where the focus is on the truly important things. And to my son, I am simply Dad, not a rockstar. The first is my calling; the latter is my job.

Do you agree with the phrase “never create for the sake of others or to please them”?

Yes, but no. In general, I absolutely believe that as an artist, you should always create to make yourself, and yourself only, 100 percent happy, because that is the only way to be truly real, true, and authentic.

But, and I have to say this in capital letters, BUT: there are three exceptions.

First, sometimes you want to create something specifically to give something to others, for example, a song that offers hope. In this case, the goal is, of course, to make others happier rather than myself. Though, apart from that, making others happy also makes me happy.

Second, when I create a song for someone else, I have to try to see things through their eyes. It is not about expressing myself but about helping to bring that artist’s vision to life.

And third, I also write or produce songs or sounds that are completely detached from the concept of "" art"—commissioned work for commercials, games, Schlager, and similar things. Here, the only goal is to meet the expectations of a target audience or a company. In this case, I am not an artist; I am simply a service provider earning money to put food on the table.

Is it possible to say that all your works are diaries of your life? Do you make a musical story out of everything that happens in your life? There's something cynical about it—selling songs about your heartache and lost love.

No, some things are pure fiction and storytelling. Just like not every crime novel author is a mass murderer and not every horror film director is a monster, not every singer is a diary.

That being said, of course I do have many autobiographical lyrics, but there is no general rule to it. There are also some where fiction and reality blend together, and not always in equal parts.

And no, I don’t turn everything that happens into a song; going to the supermarket isn’t important enough for me to process into music.

In a way, in creativity, a person reveals his lightest and darkest thoughts and his soul. Aren't you afraid of being so “naked” and defenseless in front of other people?

No, because I have 100% control over what I share and how I share it.

Many creative people are prone to deep feelings and mental problems. Have you ever been afraid of going insane? Afraid of no longer being in control of your life or that your mental health might get worse?

"Get worse" would imply that I’m already struggling mentally. Fortunately, I don’t suffer from any mental illnesses, so I don’t fear this any more or less than any other illness in general. I am grateful every day to be blessed with such mental stability. Yes, I am a synesthete, partly hypersensitive, sometimes more empathic than is good for me, and I have a very temporally limited tolerance for social interactions. But none of these are mental health issues for me—it’s simply my setup, which I am very aware of and can work with very well. And those who know me a little can understand these traits and don’t misinterpret them as disinterest or arrogance.

It was quite a risky move to decide to release an almost pop album when you already have a metal and rock artist's identity behind you.

Maybe I see myself completely wrong, but I wouldn’t describe myself as a person with solely a "metal and rock artist’s identity." I come from classical music, ever since I was a child. I have sung in an electro band. I have been writing and producing music without genre restrictions for over 20 years. I don’t see anything risky about releasing a pop album. And I would feel very uncomfortable if I suddenly had to force myself to conform to just one image, simply because my main musical project follows a certain direction. Not to mention that LORD OF THE LOST already operates within an extremely broad and open stylistic framework. Honestly, I didn’t even think for a second about whether “1980” is somehow “too far” from my “image.” That’s just nonsense. If you want a job that follows a fixed set of rules dictated by others, then you shouldn’t become a musician—or an artist in general.

At times, it seems as though your sound becomes increasingly subtle from one album to the next. What was the decisive moment when you said to yourself, “Okay, I'm releasing this record despite all the commercial and creative risks”?

I'm really sorry, but once again, I have to express my surprise at the question. I don't see any kind of linear development from album to album. There is definitely always a big rollercoaster ride between the LOTL albums, but no steady, general progression or degression in anything. And what exactly is meant by "commercial risks"? I'd love to answer the question, but I don't understand it.

You did this album alone, without your usual team of LOTL musicians. Did you consult them about your new songs while you were composing them and working in the studio, or did the guys from the band only see the final result?

No, I did this album with the usual team, but I am the sole performing artist here, as there is no need for a rock band with organic instruments in a 100% electronic album. The guys from LOTL listened to some of the tracks along the way. We always share our thoughts on things.

Do you sometimes have a feeling that “that's it, that's enough, stop. I've had enough of this theme for songs or videos or this sound; I need something new”?

Yes, after every album, that's why there are always changes. But this is not a negative "that's enough." It's a positive and clear awareness that it's time for something else, something new. That's how we keep it exciting for ourselves. And I’ve always loved it with other artists when you can already tell from just one song which album it's from. And when the image, look, and artwork change significantly from one era to the next.

Many public and really talented figures are now facing a “cancel culture” problem because of their statements or their behavior. Have you thought about what you would do if you suddenly found yourself in such a situation because of something or someone? And is it worth giving a second chance to those artists who have realized their mistake and want to continue creating?

Probably, every artist has things in their career they would do differently today compared to the past. This is also true for me. And although it is right and important to address these things, I believe it is crucial to judge people based on their overall development, not just by individual things from the past. We all learn, and things that once felt 'normal' are now viewed more critically. Not only in song lyrics, music, or art in general, but everywhere! It was just 150 years ago that Black people were exhibited at the Hamburg Zoo, like animals. Today, that is absolutely unimaginable. And in another 150 years, it might be unimaginable that zoos even exist at all.

Recently, many celebrities, including musicians of the 80s and 90s, have participated in different shows and contests, like «The Masked Singer”. Some people criticize and ridicule this way of making money and popularity. How do you feel about it? And would you like to try yourself in such a popular show?

“Some people criticize and ridicule” - Whatever I do, some people will react this way. I don't care. Whatever other artists do, some people will react this way. And I hope they don't care either. TV shows like these can be fun. And if I get an offer for one of them and feel like I want to do it, I'll do it. I don't like 'The Masked Singer' in particular, though. I watched it once, and it didn’t fascinate me. But I'd love to be part of a German show called 'Sing meinen Song.'

Many people in different countries and cities meet, fall in love, and experience different moments with your music. How do you react to this?

I don't really react to it because I don't experience it directly. But when I hear about it, I am happy that my music has been able to brighten the lives of some people. I am grateful that I get to do a job that is capable of accomplishing something so wonderful -  and useful.

One of the stranger items in your merch store is a Rubik's cube with your image on a black horse. Should we expect a video of you riding off into the distance on a horse with your hair waving romantically? 

No. And I don’t even like horses. But when creating the artwork, I always had the vision of myself on a black horse, depicted in 80s neon style. Completely absurd, but I like absurd images. This image doesn’t mean anything, at least not to me. A dream interpreter would probably have a different opinion. Other celebrities like to see themselves riding topless on a bear. For whatever reason. Maybe they also like absurd images.

How are you doing with one of the kings of music, Per Gessle? Has he already agreed to write a song for you?

Maybe...

Do you agree with the statement that the most vivid feelings about art or music or love or impressions from life are lived in our youth, in 16-18 years, and the rest is just nostalgia for that time?

Not at all.

You talk quite a lot about your mother, but you talk very little about your father. What does your father say about your music? Have you always been more attached to your mother?

Both my mother and my father have been equally supportive of my decisions and thus my music throughout my life. I spent more time with my mother because she made the decision not to work anymore but to be a full-time mom for my sister and me. However, I feel the same love, closeness, and connection for both of them. And even though they are both over 80 now, they come to every one of my live shows when it's close enough and possible.

Your fans have asked if you have any plans to pursue a political career? You seem to be involved in many social issues and often post on your social media about politics or religion or saving forests in Brazil.

I think one should be realistic and recognize that it takes more than good intentions to improve the world in order to become a politician. I would definitely need to study a few more semesters about this or that to be qualified enough for some top position in politics. However, as I get older, I will certainly become more socially engaged, and politically as well. But in this life, I will not be the governor of California or the mayor of Hamburg, or such like. But I can totally see myself hosting a TV or radio show with guests, talking politics, society, music and maybe a bit of gossip.

How much time do you spend on your image and your appearance? Your images look very thought out most of the time.

In everyday life? I take a shower, brush my teeth, put on some face cream, and that's it. I don't have any beauty routine and I don't need more than 10 minutes in the bathroom. When it comes to clothes, there are days when I just wear whatever is on top of the pile in my closet, and on other days, I specifically feel like wearing certain clothes. But that doesn't take long either. I decide, like everything else in life, quite quickly. When it comes to music and visuals, the concept development of music and visuals often goes hand in hand. But it's hard to put a specific timeline on that.

What's your «guilty  pleasure» in music right now?

For me, there's no such thing. "Guilty pleasure" implies that there is music you should feel ashamed of listening to. Hey kids, here's the news: no matter what you listen to, it's not embarrassing! Everyone likes something different, and there's no reason to ever make fun of it.

What planet do you think Chris Harms is from?

From Earth, the same Earth – but from a parallel universe. When my time has come, maybe I'll find my way back. But this is highly unlikely, so I make the best out of the time that I have here.

Jenet Bonishi