Tell us about yourself.
I grew up listening to all kinds of music, especially Die Toten Hosen, Bon Jovi, N.W.A., Nas and, in my early years, David Hasselhoff as well as Whitney Houston. In my youth, I mainly listened to Hip-Hop. Primitive Lyrics impressed me a lot. It was a historical crossover band that mixed up jazz with lyrics in Swiss-German. So I focused on Swiss-German rap music back then. Later, I switched to singing. This was also because I admired the music of Alice in Chains and other bands, like Queens of the Stone Age.
Can you tell us a little about where your musical journey began?
That was around age 13. I used to play a lot of instruments, like the accordion, which relates to traditional Swiss folk music. I was at a feast at my godmother’s. At that time, I played the classical guitar, and my teacher always wanted me to play classical Spanish guitar songs. That was nice, but at that event, there was a guitarist who played the electric guitar with a focus on blues music. That touched me a lot, so I switched to playing blues and rock music. I bought an electric guitar and a small solid-state Fender amplifier.
Who were your earliest influences, and how do they still shape your music today?
In the earliest were probably Die Toten Hosen. What shapes me today is all that I have ever heard, I guess. I am not the kind of person who listens to the same music all day. That would be too boring. I like Tool, some songs by Die Antwoord, Cleopatrick, and then I even and still listen to some great songs by Snow Patrol, Vaya Con Dios, etc. In the long term, it’s perhaps Brian Warner who has influenced me a lot, but that’s another story. “Holy Wood” is, I believe, the most complete rock album ever produced.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you before?
I always used to say it’s a mixture between QOTSA and Manson but the musical style changed in the last years. Now it’s hard to put it in a box. This song is like that. The next one is completely different. “Tu es ici” is a soft French ballad, whereas “The Key” is a fast alternative rock song.
How do you balance experimentation with staying true to your musical identity?
My music is an experiment, and throughout the years, I have learnt. It’s what you hear if you listen to older songs. Most recording skills I taught myself by experimenting. There are always one or two songs on an album where more experimenting is involved. “Do Not Fall” is an example. On the other hand, I just try to record songs the best way I can. Most people don’t like it because Alex Wellkers releases songs of diverse musical styles. Some songs are rather soft, some are guitar-driven.
How does your creative process typically unfold from idea to finished track?
It’s a long process that takes, for an album, more than one year. I write a song on a piano, guitar or in the DAW, find the right speed and pitch, then arrange. After that, some drums are programmed, followed by recording the main rhythm guitars and bass lines. Then, additional instruments are composed and recorded, as well as the vocals. Finally, before release, the programmed drums are replaced with real ones.
Do you see songwriting as more personal therapy, storytelling, or both?
For me, music is a way to keep myself busy.
What do you hope listeners will take away from this release?
I hope that there are some people out there who like and listen to the music.
Who have been some key collaborators in your career, and how have they influenced your work?
I am not a virtuosic piano player. I can play some basic piano, but I am not a skilled pianist. So that credit goes to the pianists I work with. The same holds for drums. I can play a basic rhythm on the drums, but I would not be able to play anything interesting. Thus, I restrict myself to composing the drums and playing them sometimes using a MIDI controller. I learnt that, performance royalty-wise, it’s still playing the drums.
Are there any “happy accidents” in the studio that made it onto your tracks?
I think the last time I was in a professional studio was about 10 years ago. I record all my parts at home.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your journey as an artist so far?
The biggest challenge to take is to face the fact that only a few people listen to the music I make.
How do you deal with creative blocks or self-doubt?
I do something else. When I feel like writing lyrics, I do so. Sometimes it is easier, sometimes it is not. If I’m having a bad day, it can still turn into a good one.
How does your personal life seep into your art, if at all?
Meanings of lyrics and songs are overrated. I just want to make music, and that’s what I do. Many people interpret song meanings, and that’s fine. I just don’t see such things too seriously.
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