Lucky Fonz III Interview: SXSW 2010

Dutch singer-songwriter Lucky Fonz III is getting ready for his second appearance at the SXSW music festival. His unique sound draws from American blues and folk, as well as European pop and chanson styles. This musical blend produces heartfelt songs in the tradition of Bright Eyes and Leonard Cohen.

Can you describe your sound in your own words?

Minimal folk sounds, maximal drama. Minimal sense, maximal words.

How did your band form?

I used to idealize solo street performers, so that's how I started out singing on my own. I never felt like I needed a band. I do have an imaginary band though. The members are always with me. We fight a lot, but they're my friends.

What are some of your musical influences?

My heroes are Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, but I'm equally influenced by traditional Dutch folk singers from the fifties such as the wonderful Johnny Jordaan. They had very dramatic songs and sang in a theatrical way, full of heart. I hope the melodic glory of French chanson dwells in me too. On stage I like to keep things minimal though, with just my guitar and my voice and a bit of comedy to balance out the tear jerking.

Your songs are admittedly sad, can you pinpoint where these feelings come from?

I hear from a lot of people that they think of some of my songs are sad. But it is not my sadness they hear, it is their own. That is the way in which music works.

How did you come up with your name?

Lucky used to be my nickname when I was young. I don't know if my friends were being ironic, but that's what it was. Fonz is actually my real middle name, even though people think I'm referring to the Fonz from 'Happy Days.' Then there's the roman three [III]. This is a reference to my semi-royal background. My grandfather was the Dutch king's falconer. I also thought that if I'd put this three next to my name, every country could use its own language when they're talking about me. I was right about that -- in Spain they now call me 'Lucky Fonz El Tercero.' It makes me sound local everywhere.

What's your biggest vice?

Like every other artist, my ego is way out of control. It's always either too big or non-existent.

Any suggestions on how to control a musician's ego?

Perhaps musicians should think of themselves more as mailmen and less as priests.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Harmonicas, beer coupons and tobacco.

Is there anything you indulge in when on tour?

I tend to indulge myself more when I'm not on tour. When I'm touring I always try and live like a healthy normal human being. It's when I get back home that I let myself go again. However, I did have a tour in South Africa where I became addicted to dried mango.

Why do you choose to sing in English instead of Dutch?

The first reason is that it's the one global language, everybody understands at least some of it everywhere. Secondly, it may not be the language I grew up in, but it is for me, like many other non-English acts, my native language culturally. Most of my music collection is sung in English, and most of my books too. So it came natural to sing my own songs in English. Thirdly, I think that the idea that singing in your native language is best is silly and small-minded. Many of my favorite writers wrote in a language other than they're mother tongue, like Jack Kerouac, Samuel Beckett or Joseph Conrad. Sometimes I even think you can have more control over a second language than a first, because you've raised yourself in it and your choices are not as influenced by your parents or environment.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Music is the one thing I never feel guilty about liking. Even when I went to see the Insane Clown Posse at age 14, I felt just fine.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

I was doing a solo show in Johannesburg, South Africa, and in my head I hear this orchestra play along to my songs. I thought I'd had some kind of daydream or hallucination, but then a fan came up to me later and said he heard, "something like an orchestra playing along with you." I still have no idea what was going on.


Benjamin Haas is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.