ONE ON ONE: AN INTERVIEW WITH FLO NAEGELI!

YOUR NEW EP ‘IT’S GETTING BETTER’ IS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED. CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE PROJECT AND HOW IT REFLECTS YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY OVER THE PAST YEAR?

I wanted to make something that sounds like a classic organic band performance, something that could easily live in the 70s but still have a modern edge. That balance can be challenging as a one-man band, but I love that process. There's something really powerful about layering everything yourself and being intimately involved in every part of the music-making.

I’ve always aspired to artists like Stevie Wonder and Prince—both of them were masters of blending genres and playing multiple instruments. They were able to capture the essence of the time they were in while still staying open for experiments and not taking themselves too serious. That’s what I aim for with this EP.

This project, It’s Getting Better, really reflects my personal journey over the past year. It’s been a year of growth, both musically and emotionally. A lot of the songs are about navigating those ups and downs, and finding peace in the process. For me, the title says it all—it’s a reminder that no matter how hard things get, there’s always a way forward, and the music has been my way of processing and celebrating that.

YOU’VE MENTIONED THAT YOU WANTED TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF A FULL BAND PERFORMANCE ON THE EP. HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE PRODUCTION PROCESS TO ACHIEVE THAT 70s NOSTALGIC SOUND WITH A MODERN TWIST?

One of the most important things was recording a lot of what you hear with analog gear. It really helps capture that warm, organic 70s vibe. However, I replaced a lot of the drums with sampled bits later on to give the tracks a more modern edge. If you listen to music from the 70s, the drums are usually not as loud or prominent as they are in today’s productions. So by bringing the drums more to the forefront, I was able to add that modern twist while keeping the vintage feel.

THE LEAD SINGLE ‘LATE NIGHT CALL’ EXPLORES THEMES OF LONGING AND UNCERTAINTY. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE EMOTIONS YOU WANTED TO CONVEY WITH THIS TRACK AND HOW IT FITS INTO THE OVERALL EP?

COVID was something we all had to deal with over the last few years, and I was amazed at how the world seemed to slow down. We’re so used to juggling multiple things at once, but suddenly everything became quieter. That feeling of being lost, yet still surrounded by the simultaneous rush of life, is really at the core of "Late Night Call." It’s about navigating that uncertainty and disconnect, which ties into the overall theme of the EP—finding your way through those feelings of longing and confusion.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH THE AMSTERDAM-BASED LABEL VOKALL RECORDS AND RECENTLY SIGNED A PUBLISHING DEAL WITH WARNER CHAPPELL. HOW HAVE THESE PARTNERSHIPS INFLUENCED YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AND CAREER TRAJECTORY?

Oh it’s great to have someone believe in what you do. This really pushed me in many ways. They also have great infrastructure and I got to meet a lot of inspiring people through them.

YOU’VE GARNERED OVER A MILLION UNIQUE LISTENERS ON SPOTIFY AND BUILT A STRONG INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING. HOW HAS CONNECTING WITH SUCH A LARGE FAN BASE SHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS AN ARTIST?

Oh I think most of the connecting side of things happens on social media for me right now. Since Spotify is not really the place to connect with your audience. But it’s great to see that.

AS A MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, YOU’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN EVERY STEP OF CREATING YOUR MUSIC. WHICH INSTRUMENTS OR ELEMENTS OF THE ARRANGEMENT ARE PATICULARELY SPECIAL TO YOU ON ‘IT’S GETTING BETTER’?

I can get excited about almost every part of the song’s evolution. Whether it’s a synth line or a drum groove, it’s just how I work—one element informs the next, and after some pushing and pulling, the song starts to take shape. It sounds easy now, but sometimes it takes a while for the process to feel complete. For me, the best part is writing the melody and lyrics because that’s what gives the song its identity. In my opinion, that’s when the song really comes to life.

YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM ARTISTS LIKE JORDAN RAKEI, STEVIE WONDER AND BENNY SINGS. HOW HAVE THESE INFLUENCES SHAPED YOUR SOUND, AND ARE THERE ANY PATICULAR SONGS OR ALBUMS THAT HAVE LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU?

Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder is an album I learned to play every part of on every instrument. It’s so inspiring to see him figuring it all out right in front of your eyes—it’s crazy! The different emotions he’s able to evoke, the sonics, every song on that album is a timeless masterpiece. Jordan Rakei is huge for me because he first showed me that you can create music all by yourself, like someone giving you permission to play outside when you thought playing inside was all there was. Benny Sings has this easy going vibe in his music that I absolutely adore.

THE EP SYMBOLIZES A FOCUS ON SELF-CAREE AND POSITIVELY. HOW HAS YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH OVER THE LAST YEAR INFLUENCED THE LYRICAL THEMES AND SONIC DIRECTION OF THE PROJECT?

I try not to overthink things during the writing process. But when it came to finishing the EP, I realized that most of the songs were about longing, finding your place in life, and staying positive through it all. We all have hurdles to overcome in our lives—it can be an uncontrollable mess, but we have the power to control how we face those challenges. I think that’s something I really figured out over the past year, and it’s definitely ingrained in my muscle memory at least most of the time, haha.

YOU’RE ALSO PLANNING NEW LIVE SHOWS TO ACCOMPANY THE RELEASE. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCES, AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BRING THE ENERGY AND SOUND OF THE EP TO THE STAGE?

We’re gearing up for our first tour in March 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve assembled a fantastic band, and they sound absolutely killer! We all have a deep passion for playing live, and I think that energy will really resonate with the audience. I have to admit, I get a bit shy when it comes to performing my own music since it feels so personal. But ultimately, I’m looking forward to sharing those moments and celebrating life together with everyone at our shows.

WITH MULTIPLE RELEASES PLANNED, WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AFTER THE EP? ARE THERE ANY NEW MUSICAL DIRECTIONS OR COLLABORATIONS YOU’RE EXCITED TO EXPLORE?

I’m currently in the process of making a new album, and I’m super excited about it! There are also a few collaborations in the works that I can’t wait to share. The releases will be announced soon, so stay tuned—you know where to find the updates!

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