“New people are coming into my life who are very important to me now. But also connections that have been there have gotten stronger again.” Christian Löffler has grown into this chapter of life – the clarity that comes with growing older, the understanding that it’s better to let go of anxiety and simply arrive in the moment. And the realisation of how essential it is to have people around you who give a sense of stability, who feel aligned with you, where trust and a certain connection make you feel held. I spoke with my friend about this only recently – how meaningful it is to give that feeling, and to receive it.
With his upcoming album, Until We Meet Again, Christian delves even deeper into the invisible threads that bind us, exploring fleeting encounters, enduring connections, and the small moments that change us.
His new single Home already sets the tone for what’s to come, and is once again beautifully crafted. Written during the endless travels that define the touring life of an artist in his league, and away from the familiar comforts of his studio, it carries that unmistakable poetry he pours into music – a gift he seems to master effortlessly.
Blending piano compositions with vintage Japanese synthesisers, Christian builds a soundscape that is both minimal and richly textured. Collaborations with Swedish vocalist Adna add intuitive, lyrical depth, while his aquarel paintings for the album artwork complete the immersive, synesthetic experience. With Until We Meet Again, he invites listeners into a world where music, memory, and movement intertwine – and where the feeling of “home” can be found in the most unexpected places.
In our interview, Christian opens up about the creative process behind Home, the emotional shifts that inspired Until We Meet Again, and how he brings these intimate, fleeting moments to life onstage.
photography by Anna Arnet
Your new single “Home” was written and recorded entirely while you were on the road. How did being away from your physical studio influence the emotional tone and production style of the track?
Making my entire production setup mobile sparked a lot of creativity. Usually, I waited to return home before I could start working on something properly. Now I can catch the initial moment of inspiration, and my output has grown so much – a very satisfying way to create. I learned from my painting, where I usually had to be in the studio to use my oil colours. I started using watercolours and have taken them on more extended tours. That’s why the general tone of the track is very spontaneous. I was touring in the US at the time. I remember staying in the city for a while, making friends, and feeling like I was in the right place for that specific moment.
You’ve described “Home” as a reflection on the people who make you feel grounded and safe. How did specific relationships or encounters shape the song’s mood and message?
Living on the road for most of the year, it’s beneficial to have people in my life who provide a sense of grounding. In the last couple of years, I opened up emotionally, and that helped me to have caring people all over the world. It gives me stability to know that there is someone I can rely on wherever I’m travelling.
“Until We Meet Again” explores fleeting yet transformative encounters. Was there a particular moment or meeting that sparked the concept for the album as a whole?
I think it was a process that already began while I was working on A Life. New people are coming into my life who are very important to me now. But also connections that have been there have gotten stronger again. I think it was some shift that happened to me while reflecting on my life in general, getting older. It appears at different moments in my daily life, as well as when performing. I used to be super nervous, especially for the bigger shows, and I decided to get rid of that feeling and enjoy the moment instead. It’s what I love and where my passion lies, and I don’t want to lose it because of unjustified anxiety.
“I decided to get rid of that feeling and enjoy the moment instead.”
The album was sculpted from piano compositions layered with vintage Japanese synthesisers. What drew you to this combination of textures, and how did it help you express the album’s themes of memory and connection?
I had just bought a piano for my house when I started working on the album. It really helped to catch little melodies flying around in my head. This kind of limitation also helped me work faster on the music while on tour. I just played something on my little MIDI keyboard in the hotel room using a piano plugin – a much faster process than searching for the right sound on a synthesiser. Also, working with Adna helped so much, as I was able to send a simple piano line, and she came back to me with vocal ideas and guitar lines.
You’ve mentioned that many tracks were created spontaneously while touring. How does the pulse of travel – constantly arriving and leaving – influence your creative flow?
Over the years, a steady stream of input from travel, meeting people, and discovering new places has really helped me be creative. I also need moments to reflect. But this could be a few hours in a hotel room or a short flight. I can make music with noise-cancelling headphones, and it helps me relax my mind and escape from some of the more stressful parts of traveling.
Your collaboration with Adna plays a central role in the album. What was it about her voice and lyrical sensitivity that made her such an intuitive fit for this project?
We tried to work together a few times before the album, but it never got to a point where we were both satisfied with the results. It really helped to start with simple piano melodies and go from there. Her voice works super nicely with a more acoustic approach. It was a very intuitive process, and I usually never think about it. I go with the flow when it feels right, and from the first ideas Adna sent me, I could tell that this is the right thing to do.
The album artwork was created by you in aquarel, forming a unified visual and musical experience. How do painting and sound interact for you during the creative process?
In a very abstract way, it connects for me. While using or having an idea, I visualize a landscape in a specific color palette. With traveling, the tracks on this album are connected to particular places or moments. There is one song I made while staying in Istanbul for 48 hours, and I was in my hotel room with a view over the city. I remember coming up with almost the whole song after two hours and sharing it on my Instagram story. I asked people how to name it, and a friend replied I could call it 7 Tepe because of the seven mountains that surround Istanbul.
“A person can also be a home.”
Your live shows emphasize improvisation and evolving energy. How do you translate an album rooted in intimate, fleeting moments into performances that shift and breathe with each concert?
I have two string players, a piano player, and Adna joining me on stage. Usually, just Adna and I start the show, and the string players join later until we come together as the whole ensemble. I also have solo moments or parts where I play with the piano player. So it’s a lot of movement and flexibility. We’re trying to convey a feeling of improvisation and jamming. That’s why the shows usually differ: sometimes certain moments work out better, and sometimes not.
The first singles, “What We Used To Say” and “No Distance Can Dim Our Light,” explore different forms of human connection. How does “Home” fit into the emotional arc these tracks begin to outline?
The album pictures a life in which relationships, friendships, places, and connections all play a role and shape a life. We are all connected, and sometimes little coincidences decide if we meet or not. A person can also be a home. Usually, it’s about the people, not the place itself, that makes you feel at home.
As you prepare for your upcoming international tour, what do you hope audiences around the world will feel or understand when they encounter “Until We Meet Again”?
I want to express a feeling of connection – even if it might sound cheesy. But for me, it’s about coming together and enjoying the moment. Super simple: hanging out with my beloved ones, listening to loud music, and having a good time.
