Armed with two brand new projects and a year of creative acoustic expression under his belt, Georg Bendemann kindly stopped by to talk about the inspiring new songs of The Way and The Gift.
We dig into his evolution as an indie folk artist, his step away from Hip Hop, his name change, and the impact of family life on creativity. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hey Georg – great to hear from you again, hope you and the family are enjoying the Christmas season! Since we last spoke, your project The Gift launched, and your new album The Way is set for release on New Years Eve. What’s your mindset and creative process been like this year?
For this year, I decided to take a step back from performing to focus on improving my abilities as a musician. My mindset has been to be more patient with my music. After some reflection, I realized that an area I needed to improve as an artist was not rushing the creative process.
For my projects this year, I would listen to full length albums to get inspired and then write the songs. I started to get into a lot of emo music this year, and that genre has had a significant impact on my artistry. So essentially, I’ve been focused this year on being more patient when it comes to writing songs.
The raw acoustic sound connects more than ever in a world currently overflowing with AI slop. Will you be taking these songs to the stage as interest grows?
That is ultimately my end goal. I would love to perform the songs I write in a more quiet setting. Part of the reason why I took the majority of this year off from performing was so that when I do go back to performing, I will be ready to connect with audiences on an even deeper level.
Your style has evolved significantly since we first met. You’re effectively now established as a recognisable and likeable indie folk musician. What has it been like for you experiencing this transition – was it easier than starting from scratch, did your audience follow, and did you find the genre and its fans welcoming and inclusive, perhaps more so than the rap crowd?
My musical journey has been significantly paralleled with my own personal journey. When I was going by my real name Zachary Campos, I didn’t quite understand who I was. I felt insecure and was constantly trying to prove myself to others. Once I adopted the name Georg Bendemann (taken from a Franz Kafka short story), I was able to embrace my true quiet and brooding nature.
“I love rap music, but that style doesn’t suit me as a musician. I’m a compassionate and gentle person. I feel confident that I fit into the indie folk genre perfectly.”
My two favorite artists in the indie folk genre are Elliott Smith and Neutral Milk Hotel. As of right now I don’t have much of a fanbase, but I’m determined to build one in the indie folk world.
Does folk music allow you to express yourself in a way that hip hop and other genres perhaps don’t?
Folk music definitely helps me to better express myself artistically in comparison to hip hop and other genres of music. My favorite aspect of folk music is the vulnerability of it. My two biggest folk influences are Johnny Cash and James Taylor. I love the way that the both of them are able to connect with their audience on a deeply personal level. Folk music has always been there for me, but it was this year that I made the decision to fully embrace the troubadour persona for my music.
“Honor” is beautiful, catchy and loaded with gratitude that in turn inspires a sense of thankfulness in turn. What was your intention with this song?
Thank you for the kind words about the song. With “Honor”, I wanted to write something that would convey a deep sense of gratitude for my life and the way that I live it. My intention was to give a window into both my mindset and my demeanor. This year, I’ve been focused on not sweating the small stuff. It has helped me tremendously, especially with my mental health. Learning to let things go has allowed me to have an immensely appreciation for the gift of life.
Why the choice of these ten words for the new album?
Each of the ten words for The Way are all values taken from the code of Bushido. The name of the album is inspired by the way of the samurai, which in essence means understanding your flaws in order to be at peace with yourself.
“Bravery” is simple and inspiring, reflective of staying focused and calm. How important are these qualities, and is it something you’ve always possessed, or something you’ve learned as you started your own family?
These qualities are extremely important to me, and something I did not possess when I was younger. As a teenager, my heart was filled with rage. As I’ve matured, I’ve learned to be calm and keep a cool head. Having my daughter has helped the most with this. I want to be able to teach her how to process her emotions in a healthy way. I also want to teach her how to remain calm when stressful situations come her way. She means everything to me and I always want to do right by her.
Why do you close the album with “Glory”, and who is the man the story reflects upon?
I chose to end the album with “Glory” because it reflects my own story. The man I’m referring to in the song is me. Regardless of whatever I’ve been through, I refuse to stay down and always get back up. Everything I do, I do it with love. I want to live a life that my daughter can be proud of. I want her to see that her father is a man who is determined to make his dreams come true. I always want to be someone that my family can be proud of.
What are the main values you want to represent in the indie folk music world?
The main values I want to represent in the indie folk music world are authenticity, integrity, and kindness.
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