CABIN FEVER with Roosevelt

As the world goes deeper into self-isolation, it is important to keep the lines of communication open and continue to support each other as much as we possibly can.

Acid Stag has launched a new series titled “CABIN FEVER” where we ask artists from all over the world to give us some insight into how self-isolation has affected their creativity and mental health, and also ask what they have/will be doing to keep their sanity and creativity flowing through these difficult times.

Today we’re catching up with one of our favourites – German producer Roosevelt.

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1. What is your current situation; are you at home alone, with family, or friends?
I just finished a long period in the studio working on new material. My plan was to travel after that which obviously didn’t happen yet, so I just continued working in the studio…which is no bad thing. Could be a lot worse!

2. Have you been dealing with any mental health issues as a result of this isolation?
I’m used to working on my own during the day but I definitely missed going out – There’s a new club in Cologne called Jaki (named after Jaki Liebezeit) and during the time in the studio I had a ritual of going there every Friday really late when I was done for the day – just for an hour or two. It really inspired me to have a connection to what makes people dance as you can lose that perspective when you’re losing touch to it for a while. So it definitely had an effect on me when things like this weren’t happening anymore – but from working on my own for so long I’m almost used to being in isolation, so it didn’t have any serious effect on my mental health fortunately.

3. What have you been doing to manage your mental state (e.g. meditation, yoga, writing music etc).
Really concentrating on writing new material. I still see myself more as a producer and writer than a live performer, so fortunately I could still work the way I used to.

4. Have you tried collaborating with other artists online, and if that is a yes, do you feel this has helped you feel less isolated & confined?
I released a collaboration with Classixx during isolation and I felt like it meant a lot to people during these times. Ironically I wrote the lyrics before the virus was even heard of and it really fits the situation now. (“this won’t be the end” / “we can find a way for one more song”)

5. Do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to share with fellow artists and your fans?
I hope everyone’s doing fine in these times and would like to point out that it’s as hard for us artists than for the fans that we can’t play shows at the moment. I just hope that this has the same effect as a power cut in a nightclub, and crowds will go crazy once everything is back to normal again.

6. What is your “go-to” song right now?
I love some of the newer Stephen Malkmus songs. I tend to listen to stuff that isn’t too close to my own music while I’m writing. I especially love ‘Come Get Me’.

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