Getting to Know… Fanni Mayer | Interview 🎤

On the 90^th interview on The Musical Hype, we get the musical scoop from Budapest singer/songwriter Fanni Mayer.  

“Let the audience decide what makes me distinct.  But if I needed to say one thing, I would say I’ve got the ability to laugh at myself, you know this kind of self-mocking humor.” Humor is always a good thing, Fanni Mayer – who doesn’t love humor? Anyways, the Budapest singer/songwriter (and “total ‘class clown’”) is the subject – the interviewee – of the 90^th interview in the Getting to Know… series on The Musical Hype.  Yeah, we just keep on churning them out, and in the process, learning about some truly stellar musicians.  Mayer, of course, joins the club, expanding on that sense of humor, giving us background and insight into her music, as well as where she plans to go into the future.  Without any further rambling from me, here is Getting to Know… Fanni Mayer: Interview #90.

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with you, what makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

I don’t know what makes me unique. Everybody’s unique in some way. Let the audience decide what makes me distinct.  But if I needed to say one thing, I would say I’ve got the ability to laugh at myself, you know this kind of self-mocking humor. That’s what my friends like the most about me (or at least they say so, haha). I’m not the person who takes herself too seriously, I take singing, writing, and performing seriously but not myself and I think this is the best way to stay quite sane. I’ve got a Woody Allen kinda humor you know with Jim Carrey mimicry but at the same time I feel very intensively about certain things. I’m a highly sensitive person and when I start to sing this part of me comes alive, I guess, but when I talk or speak to somebody, I’m a total “class clown.”

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your band form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had early on? 

I’m about to put together my band so you gotta wait for those “juicy backstories,” haha, but I bet there will be plenty…

Fair enough. Let’s talk more about goals. Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Yes, definitely. Before, I was only focusing on my dreams, on my goals and I would give up many things just for that mirage. I’m still a proper dreamer and believer but I decided to that I wanna enjoy the “nowness,” enjoy the journey, enjoy the ride as they say and do what I want and how I want with 100% control over it, that’s my goal.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Well, honestly my biggest was my grandmother. She used to sing lullabies by my bed when I couldn’t sleep. She had a beautiful and calming voice. Actually, she was always singing around the house. I remember, very vividly, that as she sang along by my bed, all my fears went away. And then, I understood singing itself and music makes me calm and fearless like nothing else in the whole wide world – you know, that “zone in” thing. Music is magic. And then when I started to write little songs and poems for myself – I was around 11 and I realized – I can only express certain emotions through writing and singing. Back then, those emotions were like “I curse the day when I’ve met you boy…” I was desperately in love with a boy who picked another girl in the class… Can you imagine at the age of 11? Man, [I had] some very deep shit inside of me back then (laughs).

It’s never too early to dabble in matters of the heart, sigh. Now, the fun stuff – not that we haven’t already had fun! What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?

I was touring with Follow the Flow (Hungarian hip-hop band) when I was their vocalist and we survived a car accident. This ain’t funny but it was a big turning point in my life. I realized for the first time how fragile and how precious life is… I’ve been a spiritual being my whole life but since this accident happened, I’m like – give me my incense sticks I’m about to meditate around (laughs). When you go through things like that you couldn’t just be atheist after you know, it was a “wide awake” moment for me. I realized I’ve got no time to waste. I don’t mean “big things” but I can’t describe it without being cheesy, it’s like you realize life itself and decide you gotta enjoy it and seize every day. So, I try my best though. I’ve [had] very shitty days and still can waste my time on things I shouldn’t, but at least I try and try every day to get closer and closer to this state of mind.

Very insightful.  Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

“Grace N Dirt” – that song describes my personality very right on point. I’m sensitive, I’m soft, I’m nice but I can be very strong and powerful just like the ocean.  Yin and yang, I guess, gotta be balanced.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

I’m a great cook. I love cooking and being creative in the kitchen but for the “creation sake” – I don’t do it to please “the man” you know. And I love the sea, the water. I’ve never saw the ocean but I wanna go there, I’m gonna cry like a baby… And I love dogs, sometimes more than humans. They are so straight forward not playing games all the time like humans do, they don’t criticize you by your looks or job or your position they just love you just the way you are, selflessly without rear intentions. Also, I am very connected with the nature and children. See?! I’m too perfect (laughs) My secrets well… I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you (laughs).

Cooking, Ocean, and dogs – CHECK! Closing things out, what are you currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

My newest tune called “Stranger Things” check it out:

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Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, Fanni Mayer, Hanna Redling, The Musical Hype; Icons made by https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik (Freepik)