When One Direction disbanded in 2016, their mostly female teenage fans were shocked. In the meantime their tears have dried, since they have by no means had to do without the four band members. Whether Harry Styles, Liam Payne or Zayn Malik, they all continue to be represented - more or less frequently - on various stages or red carpets. And the number four in the league, Louis Tomlinson, has long been able to look forward to his own followers.
At the end of January 2020 and thus shortly before the start of the pandemic, the 30-year-old released his first solo album "Walls". The world tour that usually followed was canceled under the given circumstances. The singer caught up on this last summer and celebrated the crowning glory in Milan in front of 30,000 spectators, already taking the second solo work "Faith In The Future" with him. The following day, in an interview with ntv.de, he explained what life as a Soko artist feels like, how he looks to the future and what his son has to do with it.
ntv.de: How do you feel right now, one day after your almost sold out world tour?
Louis Tomlinson: The whole tour was amazing. I needed this badly. The great thing about so many appointments is that you have something that impresses you every single day. And as far as my career goes, it was a bit of a stop-start so I just caught up this year and the response has been incredible. We've been to so many different countries. I'm pretty sad it's over now. It was just such a perfect year.
Do you fall into some kind of dark hole after such an experience?
Oh, I'm fine. But touring is what I love to do the most. As a musician, you then see the songs come to life and see what they mean to people. But I'm looking forward to releasing the new album soon. I'm really looking forward to that too.
In addition, we will be on tour again in 2023...
Even. The time until then is not too long.
The last tour had to be postponed a few times because of Corona. Has the pandemic somehow influenced the work on the new album?
I guess so. It's hard to speculate, but I probably would have released the album earlier because I started the writing process so six months later than planned. I resisted the virtual writing sessions because I like being in a room with people on my team and looking someone in the eye when I'm writing with them. This type of connection is important. In hindsight, I think how it went was good because it gave me more time to figure out exactly what I want to do.
For many musicians, however, the experiences on tour are part of it when it comes to inspiration for new songs...
That's a good point, because that was all pretty frustrating. I had the master plan in my head to go on tour. It's important to see all these people in front of the stage, the different places, and to have all these experiences that you can then draw from. In the end I didn't have that. So I had to imagine what it would be like because I wanted to make a record that sounds great live. We were able to play two more shows before lockdown, so at least I had a rough idea.
What else inspired you for the new songs?
Much of my writing is based on life experience. I'm just trying to be as honest as possible. I don't know exactly what inspired me, but it was probably the excitement or the goal to reach the next level.
Your album is called "Faith In The Future". How much do you build on the future in times of pandemic, war and climate crisis?
I actually had the title before Corona. I kind of felt the sentence and then all these things happened and it felt almost too fitting. Like a prophecy. I'm not saying that we can predict the future, nor that the future will be bright. It's about having hope, because without hope it won't get any better.
Especially since you are the father of a six-year-old, so hope and belief in a better future is needed?!
Yes, I would say that too. Being a father is a maturing experience that pushes you to think outside the box. So I would sign it like this.
So it changed you as a person on other levels as well?
I think it changes everyone, to be honest. There are two versions of me. This is me at work and me hanging out with his son Freddie. Then I slip on my father, so to speak, and I'm the more mature, sensible guy. (laughs)
Are there any things that are currently worrying you about your child's future?
There are certainly moments when I have such thoughts, but I try to live more in the moment. I'm generally not one to worry too much. I'm lucky. I take each day as it comes because I can't predict the future anyway. Nobody knows what the world will look like in ten years. We'll see when the time comes.
Let's get back to the album. You worked with various other artists on it, including Theo Hutchcraft from Hurts. Why did you decide to take this step?
After the first record I felt like I wanted to work with more artists, or at least write with more artists who are professional songwriters. This gives you a different level of attention. And the great thing about working and advising people like that is that each song has its own meaning and story. The good thing for me as an artist and songwriter is that I can always learn from people. And that also benefits working with other artists, because their brains work a little differently. That's something I really enjoyed about this record.
Unlike One Direction, you are solely responsible for your output today. Does it increase the pressure when you have to deal with both praise and criticism?
Yes, it feels completely different. I knew who we were in One Direction or who we are as a band when we were writing songs. But then when you write and publish your own stuff, it's a lot more personal. And that of course puts you under more pressure because you don't have to or can't share it with someone else. On the other hand, if you really connect with the music you make, then it's all about your own taste and love.
Do you still keep an eye on what your former bandmates are doing musically? Do you let it affect you?
As far as my professional attitude is concerned, it doesn't matter to me. But I always watch what the guys are doing and from afar I'm proud of it. But I think once you start looking at other people and you really want to do something different or the same, then you're probably looking in the wrong place. I think as a musician it's better to look inward and say: This is what I want to create. It's better to focus on following your heart.
As a soko artist, how do you look back on your time with One Direction?
The time with the band, in which I gained a lot of experience, is partly responsible for what I do today. But when it comes to figuring out who I am as an artist - and I'm sure the other guys would agree - probably the hardest thing is to be in a band and then suddenly go it alone. You then go through a phase where you have to find out who you really are as an artist. But that takes a little time, and a lot of people go through this phase of development behind closed doors. My life, on the other hand, is very public. So I had to sort of process that while everyone was watching and listening. That was quite a challenge. But now, when I listen to the album cover to cover, I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved.
What have you found out about yourself or what are your very personal musical references?
It's that kind of 'massive pop music' that I grew up listening to. It's definitely part of my DNA. When you're in a band like One Direction, your personal taste is less relevant to what you do. So I had to rediscover that first. With my first record I just wanted to have a very, very specific organic sound. This time I was willing to allow things that I would not have wanted to do back then. We use trendy sounds in a really authentic way.
Authenticity and truthfulness is a good keyword. At the concert yesterday, I noticed that most of the audience filmed the entire show with their cell phones and then posted it somewhere. Many are teenagers and grew up on social media, but doesn't it still bug you?
I'm torn. During my time at One Direction, social media has played a huge role because it has given us the ability to connect with our fans on a global scale. But I also realize that people present themselves there in a way that doesn't correspond to reality. However, the whole thing is now deeply embedded in our culture. But at a few performances I've asked them to put away their cell phones when I've said something. Personally, I don't like watching a gig through the screen of my smartphone.
Or via the screen of the smartphone of the person in front of you...
Exactly! (laughs) It's definitely the case that I'd be happy if the phones were switched off at my gigs. But the fans have so much fun with it and they should do it that way.
How do you deal with social media yourself?
Most of the time I only use them for professional reasons, to be honest. As I said before, I have a somewhat strange relationship with social media. I understand their importance and I like the fact that the fans have the opportunity to communicate with me. But some people post a new fucking picture every day. That sounds boring to me. I'm rather picky about what I upload.
You're used to playing in front of a lot of people and on big stages. Have there ever been small club shows in your career?
I've only just played a few gigs with less than 1000 people in attendance. It's a much more intimate feeling. You really get to look everyone in the eye on these shows, but that comes with a certain amount of pressure. We started out on the US tour earlier this year in smaller venues and then of course we put on a huge show with Milan. But the tour has grown. I think the more people the better, then it just gets chaotic and damn loud. (laughs)
Nicole Ankelmann spoke to Louis Tomlinson
The album "Faith In The Future" will be available on November 11th.
