1. Hello, thank you for your time, please introduce yourself in a few words!
Hey, thanks for having me. My project is called Bartleby Delicate but most people just call me Bert. My music is a mixture of folk music and electronic influences. I just love acoustic music and like to play around with more experimental instruments and sounds, trying to come up with something new and interesting that transports some kind of vulnerability and honesty. That’s what I’m always looking for when making music.
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
A little bit of everything of these. A new single came out recently called Plastic Flowers. It’s a song where I’m asking myself how to deal with my own priviledges and how I can contribute in one way or another through music. A new EP will be out on the 14th of May – I’m really excited for this as it’s the first time that I’ve mainly recorded everything on my own, so there’s an intimacy to it that’s just making it really personal to me. And some kind of touring is happening but it’s mainly streaming shows – for instance on the 13-14th of May at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton or on the 18th of May in Dortmund. But it’s obviously a tough time for live music.
3. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
One, I got my nickname Bert because of a spelling mistake in the credits of a movie I scored the music for. Two, my home country is Luxembourg – tiny and nice but you got to get out from time to time to not get all soaked up in this bubble. Three, biggest inspirations for me are artists Bon Iver, James Blake or Daniel Johnston. They are in differen ways just right there where I want my music to be one day. Four, on my new EP there will be a hidden track. Kind of a dream of mine to hide a track at the end of a CD – finally I did it. Five, for the future I am planning on releasing a full time album and to collaborate for this one with different musicians. I am currently working with a jazz drummer, very exciting and I am really looking forward to how the new songs are going to sound.
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
I actually more the second hand kind of type but for my music I’d say: maybe not a glamorous, rather an independent brand that has some edges but that’s what makes it special: like those SAYE sneekers that are fair fashion sneekers. Kind of low-key but when you fall in love it, you can’t live without it.
5. Do you have bad habits? A guilty pleasure you can’t seem to quit?
Well everyone who knows me would say that I am always late. And that’s true, tried to work on it, I failed. Now I educated everyone to accept me with my flaws.
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
I’m quite talented at small talk. And I’ve got a special talent to fall asleep during movies.
7. Being on stage feels like….!
As it’s been a while without concerts: I guess it’s gonna feel like bungee jumping at the beginning but after the second song just like riding a bike. Can’t wait for it to happen again.
8. Must Have – and No-Go in your Wardrobe! – Favorite Fashion Brand and Fragrance?
I am a really big fan of any kind of caps and hats. Preferably in red. I love linen shirts – that’s a must have for me. I wouldn’t say No-Go, but personally, I’m not a big fan of leather clothes. If I’d have to chose a brand I really like then: Armed Angels, currently also Patagonia.
9. A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
Yes, there’s actually one question that I am hoping for that didn’t come up yet. I always wait for the question what person is especially inspiring to me as an artist that is not a musician. And the answer is Christoph Schlingensief. I discovered his work after he died and I just was so inspired by the person, how honest and commited he was towards his art and that he didn’t seperate his private from his public life: he was just himself all the time. Listening to his interviews and watching his movies, plays and art performances really marked me over the last year. So next time, when we are having this interview, this might a topic to talk about even more.
Instagram: @bartlebydelicate
Photos: (c) Nicole Olenskaia