In this in-depth interview, we sit down with ThanksFriedrich, a unique voice in the electronic music scene, to explore the philosophies and personal experiences behind his captivating sound. Known for his intricate yet uplifting compositions, ThanksFriedrich blends genres like Afro House and Deep House with emotional depth, creating a profound connection with listeners.
His latest track, Eden Rising, not only highlights his ability to channel personal experiences into his music but also exemplifies his dedication to living authentically and seizing life’s moments. In this conversation, we delve into the inspirations behind his sound, the impact of life events on his music, and his reflections on Nietzsche’s philosophy, which plays a key role in his work.
Join us as ThanksFriedrich opens up about the creative journey behind Eden Rising, his desire to create music that both inspires and challenges, and what lies ahead for this thoughtful and genre-defying artist.
Your music is often described as intricate yet uplifting, balancing emotional depth with dance-worthy energy. How do you approach achieving this balance in your compositions, particularly in a track like “Eden Rising”?
Everything I write is driven by emotions. I always want people to feel alive while listening—to move, dance, and to feel, regardless of whether they’ve been feeling melancholic, exhilarated, frustrated or even lost. With “Eden Rising,” I wanted to tap into the gentle joys of life and I think the track takes you on a journey towards creating order from chaos.
2. “Eden Rising” started as a comforting track for a friend in need. How did the evolution of the song shape its final form, particularly with the addition of the Kenyan vocal samples?
Initially, “Eden Rising” was for a friend who was struggling with his own mortality in the face of multiple traumas. It was written with a voicemail style vocal with the intent to tell them they would be ok, and to focus on the beauty of life – it was very personal, and way to try and uplift them as they went through that difficult time. I’ve actually shared that early version with him, but then I started to experiment with a set of Kenyan vocal samples which brought an energy that transformed the track. I re-wrote it in a new key and built “Eden Rising” which is not just a song for one person, but for anyone who needs to a guiding hand through their day.
3. There’s a strong sense of yearning in your work, including “Eden Rising.” Can you tell us more about how that emotion plays into your creative process and your music overall?
That sense of yearning is broadly consistent across all my work. It’s this deep desire to experience life fully – to not miss out on any part of it. I think that’s why my music often feels like it’s reaching for something, pulling you forward. In “Eden Rising,” the detuned piano chords and harmonically caged synth have a natural feeling of wanting more. The vocals only added to that and led to this piece of music that I thought was worthy of release.
4. Your music reflects your personal philosophy of living boldly and authentically. How have your transformative life events shaped the way you approach music creation?
My dad fell very ill and subsequently died before he got to retirement and that period of life led me to accept that life is fragile and unpredictable, and we have to seize every moment we can. That’s why I decided to finally dedicate time to writing music—it was something I had always wanted to do but had been holding back on. Now, every track I write feels like an affirmation of life, of my desire to live fully and boldly. I don’t make music for anyone else, but rather to express what’s within me, and hope that it resonates with others who feel the same. I miss my dad a lot, but he liked my music and that made me immensely happy.
5. Nietzsche’s philosophy plays a significant role in your work. How do his ideas about life, existence, and individual freedom inform the themes and messages within your music, especially in “Eden Rising”?
Haha, this is a good question – Nietzsche’s core philosophy (which often gets misconstrued) is about living life to its fullest and shaping your own destiny. That’s the way I believe we should love our lives and the spirit I try to bring into my music. We shouldn’t just accept the life that we are born into and be part of the “herd”, but rather affirm ourselves in it and dance with it’s chaos. In “Eden Rising,” there’s this push and pull, a sense of struggle but also triumph. The track mirrors that philosophy—it acknowledges life’s weight but encourages you to rise above it, or to dance with it.
In 2022, you began releasing music as a way to “affirm life through creation.” How does this philosophy guide your artistic vision today?
Philosophy is the basis of everything – politics, economics, history but also art, and I think thats where soul found it’s fit, but i wasnt raised amongst it the way many are, but it is the way I must live to be true to who I am. Also, for me, music is non-verbal means of expressing feeling – and in a way words can’t. I want my music to speak to the beauty, pain, joy, and complexity of life in a way that words can’t.
For many, music is about harnessing the intricacy of sound, but for me it is about creating something that helps you feel. Something that speaks to the essence of life itself in a way nothing else can. That’s what I set out to infuse into everything I write, and why I try to break musical rules that are so difficult to break (mainly because they are basically restricted mathematical!).
Rather than be formulaic, I like to be a little unpredictable and write in the style that my soul wants to, rather than that is expected by the industry. Philosophy encompasses all things human and music, for me, is a way to articulate that and the many emotions that life conceals.
Your music is both an escape from reality and a call to embrace life fully. How do you hope listeners connect with your tracks on both a personal and emotional level?
I want listeners to be able to use my music as a catalyst to reflect on the world and in many instances escape whatever I shadows that hang over them in a healthy way. Equally, on the other hand, I want the music to inspire people to live more fully, to feel their emotions more deeply, and to make moves l, to make positive steps forward. So I hope it helps at least someone somewhere.
What’s next for you after “Eden Rising”? Are you exploring more tracks with a similar blend of Afro House and Deep House, or are you looking to experiment with other genres?
I’ve always loved artists like &ME, Adam Port and others like Black Coffee. I’m drawn to the blend of Afro House, Deep House and melodic techno because it allows for such a wide range of expression—both emotionally and rhythmically, so yes but I also don’t want to be limited to any genre. For me, it’s always about capturing a feeling, so while you might hear some familiar influences in my next tracks, you’ll also hear me experimenting, blending textures, rhythms, and various emotions to create something fresh yet still true to me, and the ThanksFriedrich project.
