DJ Ötzi: He still loves his wife “like 20 years ago”

DJ Ötzi (50) turned his inside out – both with his personal album “Be you yourself – Party 2.0” (October 1) and in his autobiography “Lifestyle” (ecowin, October 19, pre-orderable). Gerry Friedle, as the real name of the “Anton aus Tirol” singer is called, reflected on and wrote down his life story, from his difficult childhood to his great success. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the 50-year-old explains why it was now time for him to open up to his fans, and for what he is particularly grateful to his wife Sonja.

With your biography you want to encourage others to emerge stronger from difficult times. At what low points in your own life did this thought help you?

DJ Ötzi: I sometimes say that at the beginning I hardly had a chance, but I took advantage of this tiny thing that fate gave me. I had a barren childhood, a tough adolescence, but in the end I am happy for everything I have experienced. Otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am today.

As a result of this, what did you do differently in the upbringing of your own child?

DJ Ötzi: Everyone is a beginner as a parent. I also had no magic formula for raising children. But the most important thing is love and trust.

So far, only a few knew the person behind DJ Ötzi. Why is the time now for you to talk about yourself so personally?

DJ Ötzi: When you turn 50, when you celebrate your 20th wedding anniversary, it’s time to think about a mid-term review. And my fans deserve an honest autobiography “Lifestyle” and I want to encourage them all in times like these again and again.

On your new album “Be yourself – Party 2.0” you undergo a musical change. How did that happen?

DJ Ötzi: There is absolutely no musical change, there is, as the title suggests, a lot of partying besides the ballads. But it’s also true again, because it’s a different album because I wrote most of the songs myself for the first time. That was interesting work: Tim Peters and Paul Falk, who supported me in my work, were in Portugal at the time. And I was sitting at home in Salzburg during the pandemic and we only communicated via Zoom.

You grew up in Ötz, a region in which you did not feel comfortable and which you do not call home. Why did you choose the name DJ Ötzi anyway?

DJ Ötzi: You can run away from your Tyrolean valley, but the Ötztal always sticks to you. And if it is as beautiful as the Ötztal, that is also a good idea.

You talk openly about your epilepsy and the exclusion at school that goes with it. What tips do you have for people who are victims of bullying?

DJ Ötzi: I even wrote a song about it. And I think the most important tip is just to be yourself. You are good, you are a creature of God, you are beautiful no matter what others say. You can do something, you have talents. Be yourself!

You were even homeless for a short time. How do you feel when you see homeless people on the street today?

DJ Ötzi: That of course reminds me of my time back then. I’m sorry about that.

With “Anton aus Tirol” it was a steep uphill for you. What are the downsides of the success for you?

DJ Ötzi: That I had to travel a lot, that I couldn’t give my family enough time. But a rethink has happened to me. Today I just take the time.

In the book you make a declaration of love for your wife Sonja. For which life situations are you particularly grateful to her?

DJ Ötzi: I’m grateful to her that she didn’t stand behind me, but always next to me, that she endured me, sometimes I’m not an easy person – and that we still love each other just as much today as we did 20 years ago.

What professional and personal plans do you have for this year?

DJ Ötzi: In private, things should just go on as before, with trust, love and affection. And when this damn pandemic is over, I hope I can do more with my fans again. I missed that. The first concerts in the last few weeks brought a tremendous feeling of happiness for me.