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On The Table Read, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, singer-songwriter Börni talks about her music career and her new single, I’m Alive.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Börni about her life and career, what inspires her music, and the creative process that went into her new single, I’m Alive.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am Börni, an artist hailing from Zurich, Switzerland. I was gone from being discovered on a TV casting show to recording double platinum records, having countless shows and tours, as well as successful brand collaborations with G-Shock and Adidas under my belt. I am an artist that loves to express myself musically and visually depending on my mood and inspiration.
Torn between “tomboy” and “female”, I also live my facets to the full in terms of styling and diversity, continuously exploring boundaries. Releasing music til my heats content – honest and authentic – with all expressions of my passion and personality, without decisions for one or the other music genre – expressing both truths – that’s what I want and do.
When did you first WANT to write songs?
I think I actually started writing melodies very early. Be it with the violin, with the piano and vocal accompaniment or later with the guitar. The words were not yet important but it was more about the emotion. I am also very glad that I got involved with classical music at such an early age, because in my opinion it broadened my horizons extremely.
Writing words was much more difficult for me. On the one hand it was because of the language barrier, on the other hand I wasn’t sure what to write about. I didn’t want to bore people with my relationship problems. However, thanks to my relationship with God and the self-discovery that came with it, I became intensely involved with the world, life and myself.
Today I’m very good at picking up a topic, thinking about it intensively and carefully writing down my concerns and wishes that I hope will also help others in my songs. With my first band “Evergreen” I consciously began the first real beginnings of songwriting, but over the years I have developed an intense passion for it and love this new horizon that has opened up to me here.
What was your first song released, and what was it about?
We already published the songs from our Garageband when we were 15 years old – just with the tools that were available to us at that time. I honestly can’t say anymore which song we published first. Mostly it was songs about good times with my friends or about love. With my participation in a Swiss TV show I was able to release a whole album called Fighter with Sony Music.
What was your latest song released, and what was it about?
The last song I released is called, I’m Alive, and it was written in the most difficult time of my life, when I didn’t see any sense in anything and I didn’t have any hope. The song “I’m Alive” is about when you have no reason to live anymore and even think about suicide.
At the same time, it celebrates life and the gratitude of being alive and finding your way back to life in small steps. A topic that is addressed far too little or not honestly. Phil Merk a very good producer friend of mine and I created the music for this together.
Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with I’m Alive?
Talking about such an intimate topic in public. I am very well today but I have a difficult time behind me where I suffered from sleeping and eating disorders, cried all night long and even had suicidal thoughts. However, thanks to faith and a professional center, I have found my way out and thanks to this time I have been given a deep peace and gratitude. And that is a wonderful gift, which I hope I can help to bring back to other people with this song again.
How many songs are you working on right now?
To be honest, I don’t even know anymore. I write and produce for many other artists and myself in parallel on different projects. There are some ideas that are started and then finished at the appropriate time.
Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?
When I write for myself I always have a concept or a message that I want to convey. When I write for other artists, I try to convey their thoughts as well as possible. Here it can happen that sometimes there is one or the other twist.
What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?
I think there are several. Mostly the ones that convey my heartfelt messages. When both the music and the lyrics mean an incredible amount to me. One of them, for example, is Fight for Love, which advocates staying in a relationship because love is a mutual choice in my opinion. So many run away when it’s difficult, I wish people would fight for it more again. Or “I’m Alive” also has such an incredibly important message. When I can trigger a movement with the song like now, the song always means a lot to me.
Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?
Definitely! I love Coldplay especially for their songwriting! Such good messages, very beautifully implemented. Or worship songs.
Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?
I very often produce the whole song myself and also play all the instruments. But the most fun is to produce with my friends.
Do you play any instruments?
I started playing the violin when I was 3 years old. This was followed by piano, guitar and drums.
Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?
At the age of seven I was already regularly on stage at the Zurich Opera House. Now I have been singing long live shows almost every weekend for 12 years. It still brings me incredible joy and I always have happy and grateful listeners who celebrate these moments with me.
Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?
Go and look for Börni in all stores or go to my website boernimusic.com. @boernimusic is the username for my social media accounts. I would also regularly stop by, because there is now new music to be released every few weeks!
Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?
I could only make music. But I like to work as an entrepreneur from the bottom of my heart and push other projects forward as well.
Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?
My friends and family are my rock and support me wherever they can. I am so grateful to them.
What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?
That I have such a beautiful opportunity with it to influence other people in a positive way with emotions, words and thoughts across generations and layers.
Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?
Especially now with I’m Alive I was able to have incredibly wonderful conversations and I believe I also motivated many people by speaking openly about this topic of suicide and depression.
Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?
YES! This Friday I already double up with my next indie pop single “Ghost” and the video is coming out soon. To see the beauty in the beast of life again, you have to have the courage to take breaks and time outs for yourself, “ghost” the world, have fun and come back with new energy.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?
Be authentic, talk about the truth, talk about stuff you care about, not what other people would like!
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I think the achievements are less important than the journey. I love this journey (again) and that counts! If I achieve something from time to time, then that’s certainly a nice confirmation that I’m on the right track.
Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Website www.boernimusic.com
Instagram @boernimusic
Facebook @boernimusic
Tiktok @boernimusic
Youtube @boernimusic
Soundcloud @boernimusic
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