What's cooking: Samu Haber
In the latest installment of our Q&A series "What's cooking," former Sunrise Avenue frontman, Voice of Germany coach, and current solo pop star Samu Haber opens up his cabinet of secrets. Haber's debut solo album "Me Free My Way" was released on October 4th!
The album’s name is “Me Free My Way” – can you explain the logic behind the title?
Samu Haber: "There are a lot of events around us right now in the world where people are fighting for freedom, the right to express themselves as they are, and also women fighting for the right to choose what they do with their bodies even in countries you never would have expected. All this is very sad but inspiring as a songwriter too of course. And the song and the album title of course reflect my own small journey starting now without Sunrise Avenue."
If your new album was an animal, which animal would it be and why?
SH: "It would be an elephant. An elephant in the room. And we will get rid of it and all the unspoken things between me and my people."
Say something funny in German!
SH: "Ich Glaube alles was ich auf Deutsch sage klingt komisch. Und das ist ganz ok 😎"
What was the first record you bought?
SH: "Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet. I was a huge Bon Jovi fan when I was young."
What is the best thing about being on tour, and what is the worst?
SH: "The best thing is the shows of course. But also being on the road with people you love. I feel very privileged to still have the chance to explore the world with my music after all these years. And downsides. Now looking at what went on this year, it’s really hard to see anything negative. I choose this path with a happy heart."
What is your favorite way to waste your time?
SH: "Walking around in a city. You smell new corners and see people. Or being in the nature, especially here in Finland."
Who was the first pop star that you had a crush on?
SH: "Madonna. I was so in love with her when I was 15. I was sure we’d get married one day."
If you weren't a musician, what profession would you have?
SH: "I don’t see myself as a musician, I feel I’m an artist. Musicians play the stuff that artists create. And if I wouldn’t be an artist, well… I’m happy I don’t have to think about it now or the next years probably. If so, I’ll figure something out. I'd probably be a yoga- or taekwondo teacher. That’s fun."
What Finnish song would you recommend to all the people in the world?
SH: "Käärijä’s "Cha Cha Cha" is crazy enough and puts you in a good mood. You don’t need to understand the language. You get the energy he wants to spread."
What song do you sing at karaoke?
SH: "I don’t like Karaoke. So nothing. Must be over 10 years from my last karaoke performance. And I’m not planning on doing it again."