CIRKLE TWENTYTWO
Q: What inspired you to write “Last Call For A Burning Star”?
I think the biggest inspiration was the repetition of the same news over and over again. There are always new climate disasters and the scale is getting bigger and bigger. And we see the news and think “oh god, what’s next?” but nothing else happens and the next disaster comes.
I think that’s the basic theme of the song, because the protagonist of the song is facing exactly this problem. He knows that he has to act, that he has to change something himself, but everything seems too big for him and it’s easier to rely on others to do something. After all, who is he to stop climate change? Isn’t that the job of politicians? They will know what to do. But they don’t know any more than we do.
The idea for the song came from this waiting game, it’s practically “Waiting for Godot”. But he won’t come, so it’s practically already the “Last Call” for this planet. The question remains, when will we take responsibility for it? And that question applies to me just as much as it does to everyone else.
Q: You express the feeling of waiting and stagnation in this song. Can you tell about some personal experience that is connected with these themes?
I think the theme has a lot to do with me and with us as a band. For a long time, I held on to old beliefs that told me you can’t do this and you can’t do that. And so I waited a long time to pursue my dreams. I always wanted to sing and be a singer in a band, but always thought you didn’t have the voice or the talent. But that was all nonsense. In the end, only one thing counts, you have to pursue your dreams and work hard for them and then something can come of it.
I learned this lesson almost 2 years ago when I decided to take singing lessons and just give it a try. 3 months later we got together as a band and I was thrown in at the deep end and had to write my first songs (one of them was ‘Last Call of a Burning Star”). It worked out quite well and we ended up recording our first single one and a half year later. My time of stagnation is over and I’m looking forward to everything that’s to come. Everything except the climate catastrophes.
Q: Well, there is a line that says “this is the last call for a burning star”. In that line, the urgency is so strong. What does this metaphor mean to you?
I wanted to express exactly that with this sentence. It’s urgent, time is running out. We can’t pretend that the climate issue is one that we can simply ignore. Well, we can do it, but it’s a bit like going to the dentist: if you ignore problems for too long, you shouldn’t be surprised when the tooth suddenly has to come out.
My home city of Hamburg is surrounded by water. We are close to the sea, our river the Elbe is very big and floods like the one in 1962 can be catastrophic. Climate change is threatening my home and I don’t like that at all. And it’s the same for all of us, because we feel the extremes everywhere. And because climate change is about as easy to slow down as a huge container ship at full speed, the problems will only get bigger and bigger, even if we finally start to slow down. At the moment, the opposite is the case anyway. The wars between Ukraine and Russia and between Israel and Palestine, and now also in Lebanon, are not only leading to human suffering, but also to the destruction of all progress. I don’t want to be a pessimist, but things don’t look particularly good.
Q: Do you think is the feeling to which listeners can relate when it comes to frustration and longing in this song?
I believe the feeling that many listeners will experience is a certain anger about the fact that nothing changes, no matter how often we talk about it. I think there will be even less change the more we discuss it. It feels like a saturation point has been reached, and many people are now focusing on other things. I can understand them well. Who wants to constantly think about disasters over which they have so little control? I believe that loss of control is the biggest issue in this entire debate. Nevertheless, the impacts of these changes will continue to confront us, and especially in social media, they are omnipresent. From a psychological perspective, I’m curious to see how humanity will respond to this invisible threat arising from complex dynamics. It’s hard to fight an enemy, that you can’t see or feel.
Q: The refrain “tell me why I should start to change my life” speaks to a deep existential questioning. Was there a specific moment in your life that urged you to ask similar questions?
Certainly. This question is applicable to so many situations. When I think back to the relationships I’ve been in, the question always came up sooner or later: are we ready to change or adjust our lives in a way that allows the relationship to work? We always remain individuals with our own issues and desires, and whenever we encounter the needs and wishes of others, we have to grapple with how willing we are to change for someone else. I believe I can be quite stubborn in this regard; it’s important to me to follow my own path and not to live someone else’s life.
Q: The closing lines of the song emphasize ‘waiting and hope’. How do you define hope within this song?
The song is quite dark, as the fundamental question is whether it’s already too late. I think this is where hope comes in. We don’t know what will happen, what the actual consequences will be, or if we’ll ultimately find a balance again or achieve technological progress that will put our current worries into perspective. At the same time, this part also touches on love, as suddenly another person appears alongside the protagonist, someone he will wait for when it’s all over. It feels a bit like Fallout or other apocalyptic scenarios where, in the end, two people rise from the ruins and are still there for each other. I think that’s a beautiful idea and it gives me hope.
Q: What was your creative process like while working on this track?
The basic structure of the song came together on a Sunday morning right after I woke up. It’s funny how songs are created; often, the muse’s kiss comes out of nowhere. Generally, my songs tend to emerge while I’m playing around with the guitar, randomly strumming a little melody or riff that sticks in my head. This melodic idea usually lingers until I come up with fitting lyrics or a suitable vocal melody. At that point, the real work on the song begins, as I build the song around that idea. In the case of “Last Call For A Burning Star,” it was the chorus that appeared out of nowhere and stayed with me.
Q: Describe for me the emotions you have felt writing and recording “Last Call For A Burning Star”.
The recording session for “Last Call For A Burning Star” was very special, as it was our very first one. I had never been in a studio before, and I was incredibly excited. When we met Lucas, our producer (shoutout to Lucas from Elbside Records), and he guided us through the process, it felt amazing. I think every musician dreams of going into the studio for the first time. From there on, it was just a fantastic experience, and we had an incredible amount of fun.
Writing music is one of the most amazing feelings there is. It’s a bit like a catharsis, where you express your own themes, feelings, and struggles, creating a cohesive work of music and language. I’m very grateful to have this opportunity and to know that there are now people engaging with this work. After all, music is created for the listeners, not just for oneself.
Q: How do you think the sound of the music complements the lyrical content of the song?
I believe the dynamics in the music align very well with the content. In the verses, we have this plucking theme on the guitar, accompanied by the narrator (the voice at the very beginning and after the first chorus) and the verse that tells the story a bit. In the pre-chorus and chorus, however, the dynamics are much higher. The whole band builds up together. The standout parts are the two different bridges, each standing on its own and creating more soundscapes with their fading chords, connecting the verses and choruses.
Q: Were there any particular challenges you felt you had when trying to implement those themes in the song through your lyrics?
I think the challenge in writing the lyrics was to ensure that the theme doesn’t become too shallow and that the story isn’t too predictable. After all, this topic isn’t new, and climate change has been on our minds for quite a while. Personally, I’m a big fan of both verses. The theme of waiting in the first verse and the question of fault in the second verse are universal issues that affect me on various levels. A song should have personal depth, and I can say that these two themes were not included just because they fit the song; they express exactly what I feel about the topic. I know that I share the same fault as everyone else, and I recognize that I’m not doing enough. What I don’t want is to write songs that have nothing to do with me. That’s not why I became a musician.
Q: From observations of the struggles and frustrations in the lyrics, what do you think the role of music is?
I truly believe that music is a universal genius. It consistently empowers us, helps us confront our issues, gives us energy when we’re tired, and comforts us when we’re sad. Music adapts to us, and that’s wonderful. I think I would have done the topic of climate change a disservice if I had presented the song with less frustration and difficulty. Or if I had created a happy ending, in line with Marx’s famous “opium of the people.” The topic is frustrating, and we must face it, as it’s too significant to hide from. But music will always be there for us, no matter how difficult the situation becomes. And that is beautiful.
Q: Are there particular musicians or songs that influence or inspire how you have written the lyrics for “Last Call For A Burning Star”?
A major influence in my songwriting is Dave Grohl. I’m a big Foo Fighters fan and I’m constantly fascinated by the way he writes songs. I feel like you can always tell when you’re listening to a Foo Fighters song, and that’s the best sign that you’re staying true to yourself and your ideas in songwriting. I strive to make sure that each song by Cirkle TwentyTwo clearly bears my signature, so that over time, fans get a sense of who we are and how we think.
Q: How would you like your music to come across to listeners who may be feeling some hard times?
I hope listeners can feel the energy of the song and manage to lift themselves up in tough times instead of falling into lethargy. As I mentioned, the struggle is a bit like David versus Goliath, and it would be easiest to just give up. But I firmly believe that we can achieve something and that sometimes it’s better to channel anger and frustration into productive actions rather than letting them turn into inner depression. And who knows? I’ve also said, “the only one we got so far”—who knows when we’ll make Mars habitable and leave Earth behind.
Q: What message do you want to leave with your audience after they listen to this song?
I would say the message is: Let’s go. We can’t wait forever for someone else to make the necessary changes for us. If even a little spark ignites in the listeners—that desire to say, “I don’t want things to continue this way”—then a lot has already been achieved. Either way, we face the challenge together, and I still believe that humanity comes together in tough times to find solutions. If only financial interests weren’t always in the way.
Q: What are your feelings of the biggest take away when it comes down to “Last Call For A Burning Star”?
For me, the song is my firstborn, and I’m incredibly proud of it. I believe we’re all eager to use this as a starting point to create more great music. This is just the beginning, and we’re already thrilled with the positive feedback we’ve received. But we promise you, we’re just getting started, and we have a lot more in store before the world falls apart. Or at least I hope so.
Q: Looking back, how do you think your songwriting has changed since the beginning of creating music?
I mentioned earlier that I was pretty much thrown into the deep end when I joined the band in 2022. Looking back at the first pieces today makes me laugh. They were all very cerebral and lacked dynamics; there was no movement. “Last Call For A Burning Star” was, I think, the first song I was really satisfied with, and the lyrics came together in the summer of 2023, so it’s been a little while. I feel like I’ve been paying much more attention to details in my songwriting since then and writing the music with a clearer overview. I’m curious to see if that will be noticeable from the outside or if it’s just my own feeling. Overall, I dove headfirst into this and am still diligently writing. Our challenge is more about keeping up with rehearsals!
Q: What is next for the fans from you concerning new music or projects?
Fans won’t have to wait too long. In October, we’re heading back to the studio to record our next single, “Worst Enemy.” I’m really excited about it! This one will be much more personal and deals with the various struggles you can have with yourself and the constant conflicts that arise. I won’t reveal more at this point, but you can look forward to it!
