2021

RELEASE: 20/08/2021
LABEL: Lieblingslieder Records

After 2020 has already demanded pretty much everything from us, the hope for a better 2021 was extremely high. But we still live in the midst of a global pandemic. As in 2020, Generation Z or Generation Lost is very much affected. Contact restrictions in the past year have led to major psychological problems for them, and in 2021 this has not improved much. Young people and their needs were almost forgotten during the pandemic. For example, they were the last to be vaccinated. Add to this the constant pressure from social media – no matter how bad the inner world looks, most people still live perfect lives on Instagram. To be able to keep up is almost impossible and throws many into a crisis.

This is exactly the topic that MKSM and jaako discuss in their new single “2021”. A melancholy summery track captures the situation and creates visibility for it. The times of the „it’s gonna be good” songs, which were widely heard last year, are over. MKSM delivers a piece so sincere and credible – because in the end “it’s 2021 and we’re all waiting for the sun to bring us to a better place”. So the musician sings in the chorus and says what everyone thinks without promising that it will get better. Because unfortunately nobody can do that at the moment. Everyone is looking for the light at the end of the tunnel – after all the crises, the division and the lost social life. “2021” may not be a summer bop we know, but it’s exactly the summer bop that we need right now.

MKSMsees himself as a voice for all people who do not feel they belong. The singer, songwriter, and violinist himself has many identities within him: As an openly gay late resettler, he came to Germany to find his language – he stuttered heavily in the past – and to study classical violin to then become a pop musician in the end.This is precisely why MKSM as a songwriter repeatedly deals with topics such as acceptance, equality, love, and the search for yourself. In 2019, the young artist won the British “LGBTQ Music Award” as “Newcomer of the Year” and his pride hymn ‘Original Self – Enough is Enough’ was recognized as “Song of the Year”, this song supported Germany’s largest LGBTQ organization.This year he was one of the very few European music acts to perform this song on the European Highlights Stage at the virtual “Global Pride 2020” in front of more than 10 million viewers. The GLOBAL PRIDE was supported by queer icons such as Elton John, Adam Lambert and Conchita Wurst.MKSM also released his first Christmas song in 2019! CHOSEN FAMILY – the first queer Christmas song made in Germany. The timeless Christmas song draws attention to people who are still socially discriminated against for their sexual identity.

schwulissimo.de

„Bei meiner Oma durfte ich immer so sein wie ich bin – auch ihre hohen Schuhe durfte ich tragen“

maenner.media

MKSM: Live beim Aktionstag Art. 3

busenfreundin-magazin.com

„Love In The Dark”: Hymne gegen Queer-Feindlichkeit in Polen

bild.de

„Jede Liebe ist wertvoll“

queer.de

Versöhnung mit der Familie

Mannschaft Magazin

«Collide» – Sich lieben und gemeinsam Altwerden

HOLD ME DOWN

HIGH ON LOWS

RELEASE: 26/03/2021
MAARWEG RECORDS/ ZEBRALUTION

Looking at queer pop from different angles? Given the musical diversity the LGBTQ + community expresses on stages all around the world, it’s not a small claim. All five tracks on MKSM’s debut EP successfully establish this vast and confident expanse of influences and depicts in a contemporary fashion what has made queer pop music so unique for decades.

From the fragile ballad COLLIDE in which MKSM reflects on the growing connection between two people, to the infectious string arrangements in SIRENS and the hope-fueled disco number BE ALRIGHT, this EP presents an artistic vision which is thought-provoking in its musical diversity but also its disarming honesty.

HOLD ME DOWN, the EP’s main track and latest release, expands the stylistic repertoire of a singer-songwriter and violinist who knows how to authentically approach all moods – the highs as well as the lows – both musically and lyrically.

Consequently, the confrontation with one’s self, with one’s own highs and lows, hopes and fears, is essential in HOLD ME DOWN – conflicts that everyone is faced with at some point in life, but that everyone can grow from.

The fact that MKSM is not afraid to talk about painful truths, to address one’s struggles, be they with alcohol or other dark chapters of life, speaks in his favour. A track that lays bare his soul. The accompaniment of beat patterns, straight from the 80s and the intensifying, ambivalent aftertaste of the track with its rich synths and distorted violins elegantly resolves apparent contradictions.

‚We tried to bring the 80s sound into the present day. Inspired by artists like The Weeknd,’ states MKSM about his creative process.

In the video of the song, he is supported by Berlin-based drag performer and DJ Bambi Mercury, one of the contestants on “Queen Of Drags” (Pro 7), and together with dancers from the Berlin University of the Arts (UDK), they visually reproduce the inner life of the artist.

COLLIDE

An autumn day poured into a sound full of warmth and security – MKSM’s new single »Collide«

If two people decide to share a roof over their heads, this step requires one thing above all: trust. Trust in yourself, in your own strengths and weaknesses, but also in those of the other person. Then comes the courage to allow this fast approach, no matter what others might think. With his new ballad »Collide«, MKSM talks about this often first big step in a relationship and finds hope exactly where others see or even sow doubts. By focusing harmonically and rhythmically on the essentials, the song gives the crystal-clear timbre of Maksim, as MKSM is actually called, plenty of room to develop. Past the feastful cello movements at the beginning, through warm piano chords to the powerful beat entry, the singer, songwriter and violinist accompanies us with a delicate falsetto and vocoder effects through the creation cycles of an intimate partnership that goes far beyond being in love at the beginning.

In both simple and impressive images, the video for the song shows two gay couples whose development, from moving in together to mutual happiness to unshakable familiarity in older age, symbolize what the connection between people really is: growing together and with one another, but also each other and, despite collisions, keep recognizing what is valuable in the other. The fact that an older gay couple can also be seen here, authentic and open with regard to their own sexuality, even in the current LGBTQ media, rarely occurs.

For the song and video, Maksim was inspired by this openness, but also by his own relationship, which he has built up with his partner and now husband over many years. A deeply personal ballad, the sound and text of which was born from experience – as close to life as few this year.

Be Alright

Like a fresh summer breeze: Energetic 70s disco strings and 80s bass lines combined in a queer-pop dance anthem to all the teenage minds. A fusion that makes everyone take to the floor. This is MKSM’s new single ‘BE ALRIGHT’. Pumping bass lines reminiscent of the 80s. Summery 70s disco strings and his energetic violin that shimmer through the song. Effortless lightness. ‘Then’ meets ‘now’ in the best possible manner.

The memorable lyrics deliberately awaken sweet memories of carefree times full of euphoria, new impressions, and a light, airy feeling.

“Dance with our issues

Won’t try to fix them

Trusting we’ll be alright “

For quite some time, MKSM wasn’t sure whether he would release ‘Be Alright’. With his Cologne based producers from the Maarwegstudio2 the song eventually found its way back “simply because it fits the general mood of many people these days. It’s about appreciating

yourself and all the beautiful things that happen around you. Even if reality is tough at times. It’s about the fact that you shouldn’t worry constantly, but accept life with its ups and downs. And just go along with it.”

“Lost those memories in our grown up fights

Why don‘t we just bring them back to life?

Why don’t we…”

In 2017, MKSM moved to London along with a strong desire for freedom and the trust in new beginnings. He learnt: You are allowed to make mistakes without punishing yourself! This youthful light-heartedness is the basic building block for ‘Be Alright’

Sirens

With SIRENS MKSM continues where he left off with TIPSY IN LOVE Merging string and vocal melodies combined with urban beats – creating a unique sound with a message: The song describes an escape – a liberation from outdated social norms – WE HEAR THE SIRENS CALLING – FLASHING LIGHTS FADING FROM OUR SYSTEMS – while following your own path – LET’S STAY AWAY FROM THIS BEATEN TRACK.

Tipsy in Love

With his song “Tipsy in Love“, the singer describes a state that many probably know: “You get to know someone and you are in a state of uncertainty and insecurity. Contrary to ‘drunk in love‘, you are just tipsy: You have the feeling that you’ve gone either too far or not far enough. Is it too early or too late? Will I get hurt or could it lead to something serious? Your consciousness is clouded and things seem unclear.“

MKSM – BACK HOME

BACK HOME

An emotional glimpse into yesterday, between contemplation and a gentle optimism – the new Christmas song »Back Home« by MKSM

Nostalgia is an odd feeling. On the one hand it can mean an escape from the present and transfigure some things, but on the other hand it can also be the foundation of valuable memories – memories of one’s own past, family, and being together during special times like Christmas. In his new single »Back Home«, MKSM dedicates himself to these memories and meets them with both emotional and honest vocals, condensed using organic vocoder and guitar, accompanied by gentle piano chords. It’s a minimalist song between hope and melancholy, which, with reduced resources, develops a contemplative but at the same time warm Christmas mood – rarely does this balancing act succeed so delicately. In the harmonies that come flowing in an echo of the past can be heard – feelings towards home and the long personal journey that lies behind you. But also the empowering certainty that the view is finally unobstructed and a self-determined life with all its surprises now forms the broad horizon far from past uncertainties.

In the music video for the song, the two selves of a young man meet, in this case played by LGBTQ Youtuber Tommy Toalingling with whom Maksim shot the video. Tommy has been inspiring people for years with his humorous yet sensitive videos about homosexuality, coming out, and hate-speech – and how people can deal confidently with all of this. The video for “Back Home” makes this thematic sensitivity tangible throughout. In lifelike images, the past self from the old homeland has just turned 15 and is reconciled at a family reunion with a new, changed self that has found its way and is now leading a new life. Tolerance for other perspectives and mindful togetherness are universal core messages of the song but also fit perfectly into the festive Christmas season. After all, it is the ability to empathize, that deep humanity that unites us over and over again especially these days. “Back Home” reminds you of what really matters: accepting our fellow human beings exactly as they are – and thus ourselves

CHOSEN FAMILY

CHOSEN FAMILY draws attention to people who are still socially discriminated against for their sexual identity, and sometimes even are rejected by their own families. This Christmas song is the perfect soundtrack for you and your loved ones – and you get to choose your loved ones – YOUR CHOSEN FAMILY

One last drink against the upcoming disappointment: KNOW YOUR LOVE describes one of many online dates that’s exclusively meant to serve as a desperate attempt to numb the throbbing loneliness – but this time the strange suddenly feels familiar …

“How come you’re just a stranger

Somehow I know your love ”

The low baritone carried by the gentle melancholic sounds of the string orchestra give KNOW YOUR LOVE something that you won’t forget. They make the song grow. Gloomy, hollow hopelessness rears up and threatens to gain the upper hand. But then reverby indie guitar chords and subtle percussion elements come in and accompany MKSM’s voice in the chorus as it jumps up over two octaves. A small masterpiece in building tension. Ingrained disappointment turns into hopeful confidence.

The cinematic ‘CHAMBER POP’ number produced by Maxi Menot, appears as part of the LISTEN TO BERLIN compilation and shows MKSM, detached from the tracks of his debut EP (which he recorded with Wolfgang Stach at Maarwegstudio2 in Cologne), within a very short period of time from another, completely new side. MKSM illustrates how many facets and moods alternative indie pop can have even within the same debut.

LGBTIQ STRAßENFEST – BERLIN

July 16 - July 17

MAGDEBURG CAMPUS PRIDE

October 14

Upcoming events

Event	Date
BACHENFESTIVAL – SINZIG	TBA
MALTE ANDERS – CHRISTMAS EVENTS – FRANKFURT AM MAIN	TBA
AIDS-GALA STUTTGART	TBA
WINTER CSD ANSBACH	TBA

LGBTIQ+

Enough is enough! LEOPOLD and MKSM have had enough of “LGBT-free zones”

The queer singers wrote a song together supporting the I am not an ideology campaign – recently launched by ‚ENOUGH is ENOUGH!‘ and the Polish organization Fundacja Równość.

The campaign is intended to draw attention to the unbearable situation of LGBTIQ * in Poland and to call for solidarity. The so-called LGBT-free zones, which many municipalities and cities, especially in southern Poland, have declared themselves to be, cause displeasure and headlines. Most recently, the European Parliament had positioned itself against it and declared the EU in a symbolic act to be the “LGBTIQ * Freedom Zone” – a free, democratic space that is supposed to strengthen the rights of queer people.

Official campaign song “Love in the Dark”

The two artists LEOPOLD and MKSM have just released the official song for the campaign. “Love in the Dark” is an invitation to everyone to celebrate diversity and to accept all people for who they are. The two artists sing: “Turn on your light” – and deliver a bright and positive song with a message that should encourage courage. An empowering anthem just in time for the start of the Pride season 2021!

Listen here: https://eie.fanlink.to/loveinthedark

All income from streams and downloads will benefit the campaign and support the work of the LGBTIQ * community in Poland..

In addition to MKSM and LEOPOLD, the music video for “Love in the Dark” shows several international artists and political activists who want to signal one thing above all in different languages: Love is not a crime! A visual statement for acceptance and equality, a call for solidarity against discrimination and persecution. Among others, you can see in the video: Vava Vilde from Queen of Drags, the Frankfurt entertainer Electra Pain, the Berlin activist and dancer Haidar Darvish and the popular queer Youtuber Tommy Toaling.

Further information on the campaign and the situation of queer people in Poland: https://enough-is-enough.eu/campaigns/i-am-not-an-ideology/

Love in the Dark