Interview: Rüdiger 'Rüde' Linhof from Sportfreunde Stiller
»I was totally fascinated by my studies. But no more than the music.”
A kind of 'lovesickness' struck Rüde when he saw Peter and Flo on stage for the first time in the late 90s. He really wanted to make music with them. A few months and frustrating band castings later, chance brought them together in an ice cream parlor in Munich. After four days the first concert together, et voilà: the starting signal for the Sportfreunde Stiller was given. Back then, 17 years ago, no one could make a living from music. They were amateur music students and, in addition to the recording studio and rehearsal room, they spent a lot of time in the lecture halls of the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich (Peter and Flo) and the Munich University of Politics (Rüde). Teaching sports/Latin, sports and political science were listed on their student ID cards. The end of the story: One person completed their studies, one missed the final exam, one dropped out.
UNIGLOBALE: When was the last time you saw the inside of a university?
Rüde: That was in 2009 during the student protests at the LMU. Great to be there again. Especially at this point in time with lively discussions about tuition fees, etc. Talking to the students about educational policy issues and seeing how committed the people there were to change was very inspiring. After university, people quickly become lone wolves and there are no longer such interest groups. But at university the energy still coalesces into one goal. And in the end it was a good thing: from the 2014/14 winter semester there will no longer be any tuition fees in Bavaria. So it's always worth defending yourself.
UNIGLOBALE: When things got serious with the sports friends, you were only in your third semester of studying politics. What attracted you to it?
Rüde: I have been very interested in politics since my youth, was in political working groups, and was always active in discussions and demonstrations with my friends. It was a logical conclusion.
UNIGLOBALE: What type of student were you – someone who was passionate about discussions or more of a quiet observer?
Male: I always listened to it with great interest, but I was never the one who constantly raised his finger. I always found it strange to express myself in front of so many people. I also always had problems with presentations and admired the people who stood up front in a relaxed manner and gave a presentation in free speech. I really chose the right job as a band musician
UNIGLOBALE: How did you finance yourself during your studies?
Male: I worked in a bar at night. Sleeping, working, studying, preparing for exams, playing music, partying - I was busy around the clock. All time windows were used to learn somehow.
UNIGLOBALE: Lecture hall vs. recording studio – but you ultimately dropped out of your studies.
Rüde: Political philosophy, European history, economics – I found it absolutely fascinating. I was totally fascinated by my studies. But no more than the music. I toured a lot with Peter and Flo. The euphoria about it accompanied me all the way to the lecture hall. And then turned me away from my original plan.
UNIGLOBALE: So is Flo the only sports fan with a degree?
Male: Yes, Flo finished his sports studies while on tour. He's the kind of guy who gets it done, who writes his thesis at night in the studio or on the tour bus. Peter studied sports and Latin to become a teacher. He flew back to Munich from the studio in Spain specifically for his last Latin exam. When he got home, he put his bag down, sat on the sofa for a moment - and fell asleep. That was the end of his studies.
UNIGLOBALE: If you look back on your student life and your decision to drop out of your studies: Should you perhaps not always just listen to reason, but sometimes also risk making a mistake in your CV?
Rüde: I totally understand the pressure today to create as perfect a resume as possible. But looking back, I'm personally extremely happy that I traveled so much and tried things out. Student time is a very special period, a time of searching and learning. Find yourself while traveling, get to know other cultures and ideas, experience student life to the full, wild feasts and make-out sessions. If you only look at your career from the start and listen to what your career advisor says, you will eventually ask yourself: "What have I actually done for myself?" Happiness doesn't come from money alone. Ultimately, the best decision is to find something you can totally commit to and give it your all. Then you achieve something.
UNIGLOBALE: If your music career hadn't come to fruition, would you have finished your studies?
Male: Absolutely. After that, I would probably have added an economics degree. Maybe business administration, just to learn how to organize. This would mean that I would have devoted myself intensively and professionally to a social project.
UNIGLOBALE: Your band's history has been going on for 17 years now, and you've grown up together to a certain extent. How did you feel about that, growing up?
Male: I never had the feeling that I had to meet a certain social norm. One of the luxury aspects of my job. However, at a certain point I thought I had to change something about myself: my attitude towards certain things, my work flow, my output and the way I interact with other people. Maybe tell a guy who is much taller than me: “Hey, that’s not how it works!” Further development is important, but not out of social pressure.
UNIGLOBALE: On the new album you give your fans a lot to take away. For example, in the song “Fortresses and Castles”, a musically calm call to share your worries and thoughts.
Male: Personal injuries and pain that one carries with oneself in life are topics that we have never covered before. Things like this are getting bigger and bigger and slow you down immensely, especially the longer you hold on to them. Therefore: face up, talk about it and get things out of the world!
UNIGLOBALE: “Hymn to You” tackles widespread self-doubt...
Male: Many of my friends are doubters, do things and their jobs incredibly well, but then immediately get higher goals again. This constantly creates dissatisfaction and stress with oneself and with external demands. At some point you lose pride in yourself and your work. Therefore: celebrate yourself every now and then! And say to yourself when you're sitting at the computer: "Eh, what I did here is so cool!" I really enjoy hearing things like that. “Yes, that’s how it works,” on the other hand, is complete bullshit. Being proud of yourself and having high moments – that can also be inspiring.
UNIGLOBALE: Internet topic: A week offline – easy or unbearable?
Male: My smartphone has been broken for two months and it's amazing that I don't give a damn. I actually kind of enjoy it and am really happy that I'm currently... B. no longer have this push email function. The whole time I just checked emails. That took away my peace. Nevertheless, smartphones and the like are of course really cool and I don't want to be without them anymore.
UNIGLOBALE: Just a vacation from it every now and then...
Rüde: Yes, but on the other hand, sometimes we are so sick that the three of us sit at the table - each with his laptop in front of him - and write each other emails. At peak times, backstage on tour. When socially nothing works anymore. Then we're pretty much hanging on the needle or the net.
UNIGLOBALE: What about fan contact via social networks?
Male: I do read Facebook comments, but I don't have the time to deal with them intensively. And ultimately not the desire either. Somehow I can't do it, this way of communicating. Sure, Skype with friends. But Facebook – that doesn’t give me anything. I sometimes have the feeling that a lot of things these days revolve around self-marketing or self-PR. The Internet, all communication boils down to optimization and the most perfect profile possible. I definitely prefer the personal encounter after the concert.
“New York, Rio, Rosenheim” is the name of the current and now sixth studio album by Sportfreunde Stiller. Love and friendship, rejection of lone wolfism and self-doubt are some of the themes of the twelve tracks.
To all fans: We are giving away three vinyl LPs (including MP3 download code)! Participation qualification: Simply send us a message at www.facebook.com/Uniglobale .
Further information and tour dates at www.sportfreunde-stiller.de
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Interview: Rüdiger 'Rüde' Linhof from Sportfreunde Stiller »I was totally fascinated by my studies. But nothing more than the music.« A kind of 'lovesickness' struck Rüde when he saw Peter and Flo on stage for the first time in the late 1990s. He really wanted to make music with them. A few months and frustrating band castings later
