Exclusive Interview with Newcomer Duo AMISTAT
Interview with AMISTAT - The Band from the TV Show
The Australian brother duo AMISTAT is one of our new discoveries of the year. Until recently, both lived in Australia, but now they've moved their home base to Germany and tour Europe and the world from there. Despite a full tour calendar, the duo always squeezes in special SofaConcerts gigs and enchants everyone with their music. The two accompanied Miriam and Marie-Lene to showcase house concerts on Lions' Den. We interviewed the brothers again and tell you who they are, what drives them, and what they still plan to do with their music!
Once Around the Whole World...
SofaConcerts: Hi Josef and Jan - great that you're taking the time to tell us a bit about your background! I have to admit, I couldn't believe at first that you're really twin brothers. :) How did you come to make music together?
Josef: (laughs) Yes, that's really an interesting story. Actually, we both had other plans - when we moved to Australia at 19, Jan trained to become a golf instructor and I worked in a bar for a long time. At some point we started making music together and played everywhere on the street. It was so well received that we realized: Wow, there's really something to this, we should pursue it. And that's what we did!
SofaConcerts: That means you only moved to Australia at 19? Where do you originally come from?
Jan: That's not so easy to say! (laughs) We've moved around a lot! We were born in Germany, grew up in Italy, have Czech parents and an Australian passport. At 19 we moved to Australia and started making music together there.
Highs and Lows on the Journey
SofaConcerts: Okay, and you just pushed through with that?
Jan: Exactly, you could say that, even though it wasn't always easy. We've been on the road as full-time musicians together for 7 years now. There were always challenges along the way. On one hand, of course, the financial aspect: In Australia, street music is really well paid and you can live well from it, but in other countries it's unfortunately different. But also mentally - it's always a challenge to stick with it and keep going. When difficulties arise, it's easy to lose focus, retreat to your comfort zone and look for something easier. But we don't want to stop believing in ourselves and our music and keep going.
SofaConcerts: I believe that always requires courage and perseverance! Were there also special highlights and milestones on your journey that you're particularly proud of?
Josef: Yes, of course! Our biggest success was probably winning the Emerging Artist Award at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia, one of the biggest Australian festivals. It was certainly the result of hard work but also a lucky coincidence. The organizer once happened to see us busking in the rain. He was so enthusiastic that he invited us directly – and in the end we won the award! It meant incredibly much to us to achieve that ourselves: without management or outside support, so to speak as self-made independent artists. It was an incredible success to receive so much recognition through this renowned award.
The second thing that means a lot to us is the conviction that we're doing what we love and the certainty that we're following our passion. That might be less spectacular and presentable at first glance, but for us it's just as meaningful and an important achievement.
SofaConcerts: Wow, you can really be proud of that. Why is it so important to you to stick with it, and what drives you to make your music with so much energy and passion?
Jan: What drives us is the desire to simply make music and reach many people. We want to inspire people to really do what they love in their lives. Many people just do something that doesn't fulfill them at all out of habit or because of the security it gives them. That's so sad! We believe that every person is gifted with a talent for this world, and that it takes courage but at the same time makes you incredibly happy to discover this gift and share it with the world. That's our message and music gives us the opportunity to share that.
What Really Matters
SofaConcerts: So fame and celebrity isn't your goal per se?
Josef: No, I wouldn't call it a goal, but it helps you reach more people with the message. We want to make what we do bigger and better while not forgetting the message and the reason why we started making music in the first place. But of course, we also dream of playing on even bigger stages and there are many festivals we love and would like to play at someday. The biggest dream is to win a Grammy someday. We still have a lot ahead of us until then, but that's where the journey is heading. (both laugh)
SofaConcerts: Yeah, we're keeping our fingers crossed for you! And how do house concerts fit into these big plans?
Jan: House concerts and smaller home concerts are a very special change of pace for us from our other tour and festival concerts, where we play in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands of music fans.
Josef: What's special for us is the intimate setting. The listeners are practically sitting on stage with us – there's absolutely no separation between stage and audience. Instead of being in the backstage room afterwards, at a house concert you sit together with people after the concert. You can get to know them personally, connect with them much more easily and have great encounters. Exactly these personal encounters remind us why we make music and encourage us to continue – that's always inspiring!
Would you like to experience AMISTAT at your home? Send them a direct invitation!
Learn More About AMISTAT
Alex about AMISTAT
These guys are amazing! They came to my place and played the best concert ever. You have a new fan club and many new followers from Stuttgart. Thank you ❤️!These Articles Might Also Interest You
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Pia about AMISTAT
Jan and Josef immediately captivated us with their music and their charming nature! It was a wonderful evening that will stay with us for a long time!