Interview: Bonnie

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Bonnie: I met Ueli “Hoffi” Hofstetter 10 years ago when I worked in an institution for people with a handicap. He showed me some guitar-chords for a daily singing routine. After a while, he said: girl – you got talent – so let’s start a band. Since that day we recorded 4 full albums, 4 EP’s several singles, and videos and played up to 250 shows in Europe.

What do you like to do when you're not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Bonnie: I got no idea – probably I would work even more in my profession as a teacher. But – I love the way it is

How long has your band been around?

Bonnie: Our band BONNIE – former known as BONNIE & the groove Cats” – exists for 8 years.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Bonnie: We are based in Switzerland, in the area of Zurich. Style related we are mostly influenced by british and us-american bands like Amy Winehouse, Imelda May or Vintage Trouble. But there is a lively music scene in Switzerland as well and lots of foreign bands love to play in Switzerland.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you.

Bonnie: It’s just my name – and it means authenticity to us.

Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.

Bonnie: One of the best shows we played so far was together with Aynsley Lister in a full packed club called “Mühle Hunziken”, one of the nicest live-places in Switzerland. One of the worst shows was in a ice cold world war II bunker in Kiel / Germany. In fact we had a great time with the local band – so there is always something positive.

Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you haven't already?

Bonnie: when my songwriter Ueli “Hoffi” Hofstetter and I started we said our target will be to play in Las Vegas – we aint’t there yet

If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?

Bonnie: We would love to play on the same stage with Amy Winehouse and The Beatles.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?

Bonnie: Do your own thing – don’t listen to others and be proud of what you do.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Bonnie: As a band, we just go our way and there were lots of experiences. Some hurt, some let the sun shine – all of them were useful. So we would not do things different after all.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Bonnie: A song that means a lot to me is “Bourbon” – it is a song about my brother and my family. Very deep.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Bonnie: Hoffi and I wrote up to 100 songs and produced/recorded(/released about 70 songs – so there are many favorits. Every song is like a baby – got his own story.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Bonnie: It is life itself, adventures and people we meet that inspires us. To write a song is often connected with joy and pain. Hoffi often says it feels a bit like given birth – ok… what does he know about that

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Bonnie: Our message is let love rule and live with respect for others. Music is all over our heads.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Bonnie: Yes – people come and people go. Hoffi and I ARE the band and every musician – and there were many – who plays with us, will stay a bit a “groove Cat”. As we said before: we go our way. So it is easy for everyone: love it or leave it.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up?

Bonnie: We will continue to write and release songs and we hope to go on tour and playing wherever we are wanted! Currently, we got two brand new songs “8000 Miles” and “Light up a Candle”. For both songs, there are videos on youtube and there are to find on Spotify, iTunes, and other platforms! Thanks

a lot for the interview!! Best regards from Switzerland, Bonnie!!