“I make myself naked and vulnerable” — www.siegessaeule.de

He is a new star in the sky of queer pop music: siovo. In his current EP “Kauft dem Junge Blumen” he combines synth pop with heartbreak. SIEGESSÄULE author Sascha Suden spoke to him about queer self-discovery, role models and courage in art. Tonight siovo is performing in the canteen at Berghain

He is briefly irritated. Did the interviewer just ask him whether he would be successful as an “addicted” boy? No, not “addictive”, but “chaste”. He is relieved. But he can’t imagine being addicted or chaste.

The boy is siovo, the secret shooting star of pop music and especially of the queer community. Blond, petite, he looks more like he’s 18 years old. But he is 22. He comes to the interview wearing an XXL style with a baseball cap. He usually likes to show off himself and his body: well trained, not an ounce too much, he often dances half-naked through his music videos. For him it’s only logical: “For me, this is the most honest representation of myself.” And if the demure boy with a turtleneck were my personality, then I would be successful with that too.”

But for his fans, thank God, he is revealing. He thinks it’s important to be brave. On the cover of his latest EP “Kauf dem Junge Blumen” he shows himself without pants. “I get naked, I take off my clothes and make myself vulnerable,” he says. And it’s also pretty to look at. “I make art out of it.”

Autotune as a stylistic device

A mix of synth pop and 2000s indie electro: modern and danceable. With lots of audio tunes. Does he not trust his voice? “Yes, but for me it is a stylistic device. I know I can sing and I don’t have to prove it. People have to accept that.”

siovo, whose real name is Simon, grew up near Stuttgart. With loving parents who had no problems with his being gay, with ballet and dance, he sang in musicals there. Before he knew he was gay, he was already an artist. He was already making music in his childhood room. “It’s not about fame.” It’s important to remember that artists don’t make music to make it big.”

But he is on the right track. He got a record deal at the age of 18 and is now signed to Four Music, which also represents Mark Foster. He has now moved to Berlin: “For me it was paradise back then. After all, I was a queer man from a small town.” He also experienced hate there. But his songs are more about love, injuries and friendship. The music overshadows the lyrical texts, for example in “Never”: “No one, no one has ever hurt me (like now) / I have never ever, never ever miscalculated (like now) / No one has ever replaced me so conscientiously.”

Similarity to Troye Sivan?

His fans on YouTube comment enthusiastically: “Goes straight to the heart.” He is openly gay and shows it in his videos. Topless, often with sexy dancers, kissing. The comparison to Troye Sivan comes to mind. “We have little in common except that we are young gay men.” He laughs at the accusation that Troye is only on tour to have sex: “I think Troye also has a nice, fulfilling sex life without touring.” Also He didn’t become a musician to get boys into bed: “I don’t need music for that.”

“It motivates me to bring my art into the mainstream to reach people who are out of touch with queer life.”

siovo is aware of his role as a queer identification figure. “It motivates me to bring my art into the mainstream in order to reach people who have no contact with queer life.” However, he is not yet visible for the biggest opportunity to make queer life in the music business: Germany at the ESC represent. That takes a lot of courage “because it’s a competition.” In general, he doesn’t mind reviews and competitions. Of course there is a bit of fear involved, he admits. He wouldn’t need to have them. His personality, his music, his lyrics would take him to the top of Europe. And then the boy would also get flowers.

Concert by siovo
October 10th, 8:00 p.m
Canteen at Berghain