Michael Patrick Kelly: Singer felt "like a laptop with viruses"

The fans of Michael Patrick Kelly (43) had to be patient for four years – now the time has come: his fifth studio album “BOATS” will be released on November 12th. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the songwriter reveals what the album title is all about, which song is particularly important to him and how the duet with his "Sing my Song" colleague Ilse DeLange (44) came about.

In addition, Kelly talks about his time at the monastery, which rekindled his passion for music. In addition, the globetrotter gives a travel recommendation and raves about his musical idol Bruce Springsteen (72).

Congratulations on the release of your fifth studio album "BOATS". What distinguishes the album from your previous records?

Michael Patrick Kelly: It's definitely the album I've taken the most time to write songs for. In total I composed 60 tracks and 15 of them ended up on this album. It's been four years since my last album. In the fast-paced music business, that feels like an eternity. But a good wine takes time and with that in mind I've let the songs mature longer than on previous albums.

"BOATS" stands for "Based On A True Story". They promise a true story behind every song. Did it take effort for you to tell these stories?

Kelly: I share very little of my private life with the public, but the beauty of music is that through the language of art you can share your deepest feelings with strangers as if they were your closest friends. All songs are based on true stories that I either experienced myself or from other people whose stories inspired me. They say that a good song consists of three chords and the truth. And yes, with some songs it took an effort to write the unvarnished truth and then record it in the recording studio.

Which song or which story is particularly close to your heart?

Kelly: For me, every song is like a pearl on a valuable chain. "Mother's Day" is about how, as a five-year-old boy, I stole all the bouquets of flowers from the neighboring graves in the cemetery where my mother was buried to put them on my mother's grave. It was Mother's Day, we were poor and had no money for expensive flowers from the shop. Almost 40 years later, I drove to the cemetery in a pickup truck full of flowers and scattered them on neighboring graves. This is a moving memory for me. The song can be understood with a wink.

In your new song "Fake Messiah" you touch on topics such as racism and slavery. In your opinion, will there still be a lack of education in 2021?

Kelly: "Fake Messiah" is about the misuse of religious beliefs to justify political atrocities. I have chosen two historical examples: the violent re-education of Native Americans through government and church programs in North America and Canada, and apartheid in South Africa. There are still people who are suffering the consequences of this kind of perversion and ideology, so the problems are not finally solved. Even if they no longer make it into the top news and few people talk about them. I believe that enlightenment alone is not enough, it is always about forming the heart.

Your music is not only popular in Germany. People from all over the world comment on your YouTube videos. How important is an international fan base?

Kelly: Of course I'm happy that my music reaches people from different corners of the world. Even from countries where English is not spoken. You can see the power of music as a universal language. I usually get a Serrano ham as a gift from Spanish fans. The Polish fans are very loyal and grateful. I was once moved to tears after a concert in Greenland; I had sung "Amazing Grace" as the last encore. After I sang the last note, everyone got up spontaneously and continued singing the song in their own language. But I also love the concerts here. With certain songs there is often a small sea of ​​flags when people hold up their national flags. That's the beauty of music, that people can dance, sing, celebrate or cry together, regardless of nationality, political affiliation or belief. You are just a human among humans.

You are a true globetrotter and get a lot of inspiration from travelling. Have you already found the most beautiful place in the world?

Kelly: I actually traveled half the world for this album. I've been to Africa, USA, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Italy, Spain and Ireland. Because of Corona I could not visit some other places.

Ireland is definitely my favorite country, my home country. That's where I feel most "at home" and I can recommend a trip to Ireland to anyone who has never been there.

In the early 2000s you retired from show business and went to a monastery for a few years. How does this time shape you to this day?

Kelly: Before the monastery days I was like an old laptop with too many viruses and bugs and needed a reboot. The time in a completely different world, without a guitar, credit card, car, friends or family, was saving and valuable at that moment. Before I went to the monastery, I had almost completely lost my passion for music. It wasn't until I was allowed to make music in the monastery without any purpose that I rediscovered my love for music. To this day, daily prayer and Bible meditation are integral parts of my everyday life. And I know how important silence is to me.

Shows like "Sing meine Song" and "The Voice of Germany" have made you a real TV favorite. Can fans look forward to a comeback soon?

Kelly: All in good time (smiles).

Twice you hosted "Sing meine Song". Do you think Johannes Oerding is a worthy successor?

Kelly: Johannes is a really good singer and musician, I also like him as a person. He is an eloquent host who knows how to give the invited artists plenty of space. He's doing a good job.

Your colleague Ilse DeLange supports you on your new song "The World". How did the duet come about?

Kelly: Ilse is a real artist who I appreciate very much. I spontaneously asked her via WhatsApp and then sent her the song. She was just in Italy and sang the song there. I am very grateful that she managed to do this despite her very busy calendar. Our voices harmonize very well with each other.

You've been making music since you were a child. Do you still have something like musical role models after such a long time?

Kelly: My first concert experience was a four and a half hour show by Bruce Springsteen in Frankfurt's Waldstadion. I was nine at the time and was allowed to meet him backstage before his performance. That day changed my life. I said to myself at the time: "I want what he's doing there too".

Ten years later I stood there with my siblings in the same stadium and was allowed to rock 50,000 people. Crazy. Bruce Springsteen is still a role model for me. I don't know a better live artist.

Can you look back on your career with satisfaction or do you regret some of your decisions?

Kelly: I'm mostly happy with my decisions, but of course there are things I regret afterwards.

what do you regret

Kelly: That I didn't always follow my inner compass, i.e. my conscience. In the past, I sometimes let myself be guided too much by the opinions of others or by the fear of rejection. I think it's important that an artist doesn't let themselves be defined by the expectations of others. Otherwise at some point only the entertainer remains. The principle that my father gave me applies to me: "Keep your spirit free". The freedom is important.

Given your experience today, what advice would you like to give to your 18-year-old self?

Kelly: Relax, boy!

What comes after "BOATS"? Maybe a tour? Or do you allow yourself a break first?

Kelly: The tour for the album is being planned. The first live event will be a concert at the Loreley open-air stage on June 25, 2022. I will play songs that evening, all by myself without a band, which the audience can choose in advance by voting on a website. No big show effects, just me with guitar and piano, the audience and the songs of their choice. The tickets for the concert cannot be purchased in advance, they are only available in the limited box for the album "BOATS". For me it's a little dream. Ed Sheeran pulls this off easily, I have to work hard for it. A challenge I'm really looking forward to.