Aaron makes music about meaningful topics that rocks and grooves – and sometimes it even skanks on a rock steady beat!

His new song ‘Geeks’ has been released on all major music platforms on November 15th. It is an anthem for the heroes of the digital age: computer nerds, also known as geeks. It is driven by an off-beat ska guitar, a sticky bass line and a groovy brass section. The icing on the cake is a jazzy saxophone solo.

“I have always loved Ska, I even saw the Specials, the Selecter and Madness live in their heydays”, says Aaron. “I chose the topic although I am not a geek myself, but I have a lot of sympathy for them. Geeks are often frowned upon because they can be socially awkward, but they are the ones who are building a better world. So I think they deserve an anthem.”

The music video is mostly made up of typography, minimalistic ASCII graphics and heavily pixelated images – it surely looks geeky!

Aaron writes catchy songs that are made for people who like meaningful, uplifting topics and guitar-driven, hand-made sounds. Since May 2024, his songs have been streamed more than 250,000 times on Spotify and his music videos have been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube.

Interview with Aaron Koenig

How would you describe the music you make?

It’s mostly rock music, with excursions into funk, soul and other styles I grew up with. In general, it’s guitar-driven and hand-made, often with a punkish energy and beatlesque harmonies. What all my songs have in common are meaningful lyrics about being in the here and now, about transforming disturbing emotions into wisdom, about being in the flow, things like that.

Is that why you call it ‘Mindful Music’?

Yes, I think the term fits quite well. ‘Mindfulness’ is not connected to any religion, it just means you work with your mind to become a more relaxed and happy person. I could have called it ‘spiritual music’, but I guess people would have expected a softer sound, mantras, chanting and that kind of stuff, which is far from the music I make.

How did you get into making music?

I have always been making music and writing songs, starting with a punk rock band when I was 15. However, I never saw it as a career. I played in several bands in my teenage years and my early twenties, but after my media studies in Berlin and Rio de Janeiro I focused on other things. I first worked in TV production and then founded one of the first Internet agencies in Germany. I discovered Bitcoin in 2011 and became fascinated by it. I wrote five books about it, made lots of promotional videos and educational series for Bitcoin and blockchain companies, and organised events. I even wrote some songs about Bitcoin, which became quite popular in the community, like my Reggaeton about the Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador. People always liked that my songs are catchy and provocative. It was by the end of 2023 that I decided to go full in on music. It’s what I enjoy the most, so now I want to fully follow my passion.

And why did you change your subject from Bitcoin to spirituality?

Well, writing only about Bitcoin would be a bit narrow, I suppose that not so many people would care about it. What I observe is that more and more people meditate and follow some kind of spiritual path. So I think with uplifting, spiritual topics I can reach more people and have some positive impact on their lives. There is so much negative music around, all that gangster rap and superficial stuff, I think there is a demand for some deeper meaning and positive energy. It’s actually not such a big contradiction to Bitcoin, as many Bitcoiners are in it for idealistic reasons – to make the world a better place, not just for the quick buck.

Do you follow some spiritual path yourself?

I have been practising Buddhist meditation for many years, and it does me good. What I like about Buddhism is that you are encouraged to question everything. Buddha himself said that you shouldn’t believe anything he taught, but to check it out for yourself. However, I want my music to resonate with everyone. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to enjoy my music and to understand my lyrics.

What are your goals with your music?

I just want to entertain people and make them a bit happier. If my lyrics make them think about things they haven’t thought about before, even better. And of course I am in it for the groupies and the money…

What are your plans for the future?

For now I am publishing one song per month on Spotify and other streaming platforms, with a music video on YouTube for each of it. I would also like to play live, and I am rehearsing with my band for that, but my focus is on releasing singles for now. When I have enough songs – and I write a lot – I might release an album. Maybe I drop an NFT (Non Fungible Token) that people have to own to be able to get the physical album. I still have to figure out the details. I like making plans, but everything can change, and I like change even more.

Any message you want to give to our audience?

Live now and know how, be here and persevere!