Interview: Neo & Neo - Labuan Bajo غافل

Neo & Neo is storyteller, observer and songwriter Dominik Robin. Still excited by past tours across Europe, playing eyerything from tiny living room concerts to big festival stages, Dominik sings about falling in love in the middle of the night, travelling, touring, and friendships, that could not be saved. But, in the end, his songs capture fleeting moments, words and places, revealing true insights that, ultimately, changed his life forever. Labuan Bajo غافل was written on an island at the other end of the world. The evening is hot and tropical, there is one of the most beautiful sunsets happening you've ever seen, and in the background you can hear the prayer chantings of a minaret. Despite this magical atmosphere, Labuan Bajo لفاغ embodies a claustrophobic anxiety, and a heartbreaking epiphany.

By Kamil Bobin

Discovered via Musosoup

Kamil) Hey Neo & Neo, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?

Hey Kamil. Thank's for featuring our music. We really appreciate this. I wrote my first song when I was 13 and kept on doing so, ever since. Both my parents are musical people. But it wasn't untill my dad showed me Leonhard Cohen's song Suzanne that I wanted to play the guitar.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

There is so many great artists in the world, the list is long. I could name Chris Martin or Rick Rubin here, but I'd rather focus on "real possibilieties"; e. g. local songwriters and producers, for example Georg Dillier, who played bass on my song and who is a very gifted songwriter with his own project "Anna Rossinelli".

Your latest song is 'Labuan Bajo غافل'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?

I would say everything about this song is a bit unusual, because it just sounds very different than my other songs. I wrote the song in a real down moment, without having any instrument at hand, but form there to finishing it was a whole emotional and musical journey, almost unbearable. It's the first Neo & Neo song with as many as 6 co-songwriters, the guys all added their incredibale talent to it.

Here is the caption to the song:

The song came to life on an island at the other end of the world. The evening is hot and tropical, there is one of the most beautiful sunsets happening you've ever seen, and in the background you can hear the prayer chantings of a minaret. Despite this magical atmosphere, Labuan Bajo غافل embodies a claustrophobic anxiety, and a heartbreaking epiphany.

Can you reveal how the music video was made? Where did the idea for it come from?

The video maker (Nico Schmied) and me wanted to do live sessions - real, honest and as authentic as possible. I introduced to him the idea of the spoken narrative.

What are you most proud of?

I am greatful for the capability to put my emotians into songs and to deal with challenges and emotions in a creative way. Releasing music (or any kind of art) is a consumingly beautiful, sometimes painful process, that, indeed, makes you very proud!

What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

To not give up, because there is at least 100 reasons.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?

Hiking.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

I don't, I need the shower time to think about stuff.

What are your plans for the future?

We will soon release another live session that will be called "Stone In My Heart". Further than this, we want to play live as much as possible.