Welcome back to another episode of the Travel Diaries, where I take you on a musical voyage through the stories behind my songs. This month, we dive into the depths of „Nelly,“ a Pop Rock track with progressive rock elements that holds a special place in my heart. Join me as I recount the journey of how this song came to be and what it means to me.

It all began on a sunny day in 2009 on a picturesque Greek beach. I found myself in a quaint beach bar, and there, I met a waitress who went by the name of Nelly. Though our interaction was limited to the typical customer-waitress dynamic, something about her and the enchanting sea that surrounded us left a lasting impression on me. This encounter sparked the initial inspiration for what would eventually become the instrumental guitar piece, „Nelly“ – the main theme of the song.

Over the years, that initial instrumental guitar piece evolved and grew into something more powerful. I couldn’t resist its magnetic pull, so I decided to record it. Armed with my guitar, I embarked on the journey of transforming it into a full-fledged instrumental piece for an electric band. I made use of various MIDI tracks to craft the intricate layers of the song, and I didn’t miss an opportunity to perform it live for my dedicated fanbase, who soon grew to love this captivating melody.

In 2016, while I was in New York City, the idea for „TRAVELER“ began to take shape. It was during this time that a dream visited me, revealing German lyrics for „Nelly.“ It was as if the muses had chosen this moment to bestow their inspiration upon me. Driven by the urgency of the dream, I swiftly penned down the lyrics. Plans were set in motion to record the song as a single, and discussions with studios and session musicians were already underway.

However, fate had a different plan in store for „Nelly.“ As grateful as I am for the initial spark, I couldn’t help but feel that the German lyrics wouldn’t do justice to the song’s essence. It seemed like a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Fast forward to 2021, a year of introspection and creativity. After completing the writing of 24 songs for „TRAVELER,“ I decided to revisit „Nelly.“ This time, I rewrote the lyrics in English, refining and arranging the song into a more commercially appealing format. The result was a five-minute pop song that seamlessly integrated various musical elements, giving it the distinctive touch of progressive rock.

„She takes me like a baby seal,

She gives me kisses, lets me heal.“

„Nelly“ is undoubtedly one of my best works and holds a special place in my heart. It’s a musical odyssey through various shades of blue, a journey through the depths of the sea. The song encapsulates the beauty, mystery, and vastness of the ocean, inviting listeners to get lost in its waves and melodies.

As I look back on the evolution of „Nelly,“ I’m reminded of how a chance encounter on a Greek beach, a dream in the heart of New York City, and years of musical exploration came together to create this end result. It’s a reminder that inspiration can strike at any moment, and sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of Travel Diaries. I hope you enjoyed learning about the genesis and meaning behind „Nelly.“ Stay tuned for more musical adventures in the next episode, where we’ll explore another chapter of my musical journey and where we’ll be crossing the great Atlantic and embarking on another exciting adventure, both in music and in life. Until then, keep listening, keep traveling, and keep dreaming.

Love

J

PS: Also, if you want to know more about project TRAVELER, how everything started and who I am, I invite you to subscribe to my E-Mail list. There is plenty of subscriber-only stuff going on over there and I’d love you to be part of this!

Cheers

Jannis

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PPS: I thought I’ll add some personal notes at the end of each blog post, giving a short insight into my own journey right now. So, here it is:

My current diary pages (September 2023)

• Big motivation low incoming! I feel utterly defeated and lost once again.
• I don’t know where I’m going, only God knows where I’ve been.
• Currently watching all Jake Gyllenhall movies on Netflix and Prime.
• I got 20 guitar students this semester, a couple of group classes and a choir.
• My rockstar dream is drifting away. Please help me getting it back.
• The hustle is real!
• I am doing my driver’s license. With 32 lol.

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