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Hubert Junghain is Singer/Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. Shelf Warmers & Hot Cake is his first solo album in almost 20 years. He touches genres from energetic College-Party-Rock to synth-heavy Pop-songs that borrow 80s music elements to melancholic ballads – with influences ranging between Queen, “Neue Deutsche Welle”, Beach Boys and Mika. Lumaha’i Spirit Music will release the album on September 7, 2018 at 9 a.m. EST on all major platforms for download and streaming.

 

In the following interview Hubert Junghain explains genesis and concept of his new album:

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Lumaha’i Spirit Music: Hubert, you just released „Shelf Warmers & Hot Cake“ - the solo album that you’ve been working on for, for how long exactly?

 

Hubert Junghain: That’s a delicate question to start with. I released my last solo album almost exactly 20 years ago. It’s not like I didn’t write and record anything in the meantime. But as far as solo efforts go there really wasn’t a whole lot.

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: Let’s talk about the album. That's kind of a weird title. What exactly does it mean?

 

Hubert Junghain: To me the title feels as comfortable as an old pair of shoes. It’s honest, a little cocky, somewhat humble all at the same time – and therefore describes very well what the album has to offer. The songs are between 25 weeks and 25 years old. Some of them are probably from an objective musical standpoint not really masterworks. For me they make up in their emotional intensity or nostalgic value. Some have been companions of mine for quite some time but have never seen the light of day - or in a very different form. Other songs are more recent creations that I am equally excited about. And obviously it’s my hope that many of them will sell like hot cake.

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: So, given the long pause since your last album and to pick up the topic of track 7, are you “The great procrastinator”?

 

Hubert Junghain: Thank you for asking this. That would be a bit too obvious, wouldn’t it? The song is a loving homage to procrastination as a form of life or as a coping mechanism. I certainly choose to procrastinate every now and then. And I acknowledge that and consciously allow myself the freedom to do it. A good friend of mine actually told me how much he hated this song. His reasoning was: we achieve so much at work, at home, with our families that procrastination as a concept is odd to him. He was quite passionate about his statement. Makes me feel that maybe he has a sneaking suspicion there’s a little procrastinator inside of him anyway. And he doesn’t seem to appreciate him as much as I do. 

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: So, are most of your songs and topics in fact autobiographic or not?

 

Hubert Junghain: I can only write about things that matter to me. So all of the themes of my songs play a role in my life. Whether they describe something that I’ve experienced myself or whether these are things I’ve seen friends and acquaintances live through is a different question. „Shelf Warmers & Hot Cake“ covers a broad variety of topics. They’re all dear to my heart. 

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: Your musical genre is described as "pop-rock for nostalgic harmony lovers". Are you just trying to be difficult or different here or what do you actually mean by that?

 

Hubert Junghain: It’s quite obvious that the album jumps between genres. I did not even try to create a coherent album that fits into one box. I wrote the songs like they hit me. They range from college type rock to rather mellow ballads. There is also quite a substantial reference to synth-heavy pop of the Eighties. I can’t deny my musical heritage. And again, all of these elements are very dear to my heart and it just felt right at the time to create these different tunes. I do realize that from a commercial point of view this is not going to be very helpful. But I’m much more interested in authenticity here. And maybe the days of concept albums aren’t over yet after all. Let’s see if the next album turns out more coherent, easier to categorize.

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: To close off this first part of the interview, please let us learn a bit more about you as a musician. What’s your role in all the 14 songs besides songwriting?

 

Hubert Junghain: „Shelf Warmers & Hot Cake“ is 100% me. I was tempted at times during the creation process to collaborate with some of the fantastic musicians I’ve been fortunate enough to meet in my life. Because, honestly, some of them are much better musicians than me and the musical quality would have very likely benefitted from this. But in the spirit of authenticity and catharsis I made a commitment to have this album be 100% Hubert Junghain. Therefore all instruments are played or programmed by me, all vocals are mine. Creators out there will understand the emotional rollercoaster ride between raving pride and self-doubting shame that I went through in the process and am currently experiencing here. But again, that’s what had to happen for it to be 100% authentic.

 

Lumaha’i Spirit Music: Thank you, Hubert for these initial insights. We’re curious to hear about some of the songs in more detail in the next section of the interview.