Hand on heart – the fifth album by DER TO, aka Tonja, and at the same time his best work to date for his 12th anniversary.
Over the past year, the Celle native often wondered how other musicians were coping during these crazy coronavirus times. Not being able to do what they love most—going out and making music. But quitting was never an option for Tonja.
This is how his path crossed with two musicians who would play a key role in the creation and realization of "Hand aufs Herz" over the past 18 months. No large production studio was needed for the recordings. In bassist Ingo's small studio, guitarists Kai and Tonja created 13 truly impressive songs.
With Ingo and Kai, he has two companions at his side who perfectly understand, complement, and perfect his musical goals, visions, and attention to detail. A dream team has been formed, and the result of many evenings of intensive work on each individual song leaves no doubt about that.
Tonja's motto that life itself writes the most beautiful songs has proven true once again. Whether things are going up or down, whether a lockdown severely restricts freedom or fears about the future cause sleepless nights – as a committed optimist, Tonja always looks ahead, because even difficult times and stumbling blocks are acceptable if you can learn from them.
With songs like "Familienbande," he hits the spot for anyone whose heart sinks when thoughts wander back to their mother, father, and siblings from childhood. A very personal song, through which Tonja also lets his listeners look into their own souls.
"Hand aufs Herz" transports us to a wide range of emotions and sensations—warm, relaxed, melancholic, danceable, critical are just a few of the feelings that Tonja, Ingo, and Kai express in their very own way, with words and melodies. Surprisingly different from what we've seen before, yet still distinctly and unmistakably DER TO.
1. The Dreamer
2. Ten
3. Hand on heart
4. Heart lost
5. From Punk to Dad
6. Fail
7. Black and white
8. Family ties
9. Summerlong
10. Quicksand
11. For an Amen
12. Mirror image
13. Only here
