Trouble Maker Interview Series: Denis Genkine - "When I was young, I was a utopian and libertarian but I quickly realized that it would be very difficult to change the world. So, I entered the system to change it from the inside."

I heard the music of The Trouble Notes for the very first time at 3:23 pm on November 14th . I exactly remember the time. I planned to go to a friend’s restaurant where bands are performing regularly. So I looked on the internet who this band was. At 3:23 pm, I clicked on it and they impressed me like all people who hear The Trouble Notes for the first time; they are like an instant, total, atomic musical thunderbolt!

I have had many passions in my life and The Trouble Notes are a new one. There was basketball, I ended up winning the cup of France University. There was radio amateurism, I ended up communicating with other continents. There was paragliding, I ended up creating a magazine. There was the accordion, I ended up creating my own accordion brand. There was Peru, I ended up marrying my Peruvian wife. And today there is The Trouble Notes. I ended up as a concert organizer! I have found two theatres for them in my area for April, and another one for June and I am producing their shows that will take place on April 10th, inspired by love and not profit: nothing for me, all for the public and artists. They have given me so much pleasure with their music that I want to share the effect of The Trouble Notes to the as many people as I can reach!

A SMALL SECRET

The new The Trouble Notes CD carries the title “Lose your Ties”. This resonates with the lives of the three musicians who made their dreams come true, but for that, one day, they had to break with a stifling professional life. This was especially the case for Bennet the violinist who worked on Wall Street. They chose the artist’s life with all its difficulties and moments of happiness. But breaking with a determined life, that is dependent on the will of a boss or the economical market, does not necessarily lead to an anti-social attitude of these people. What stands out immediately when you meet Bennet, Ollie and Flo is their extreme friendliness, their interest in people, and their respect for people if they play in a public space – What a beautiful vocation to want to spread happiness through their music! At the time of social networks, they have a growing audience every day, which will allow them, hopefully, because it is deserved, to live economically from their music. I’m going to tell you a secret. On the 2nd day after listening to them in concert, I gave the The Trouble Notes the contact of one of Sony Music’s directors (thanks to some of my relationships, the doors were open to them). Today, I understand why they did not want to take advantage of this business opportunity: they would have lost their freedom! Maybe they should have gone to the first date wearing a tie!

YOU ARE YOUR OWN PRIME MINISTER

At 57 years old, I have stood back from destiny. I had many passions, as you read previously that almost always to some extent became jobs! But I always kept my first job. My distinctive sign is much heavier than a tie, but I cannot say what I do (do not worry, The Trouble Notes are informed and love me for that too). Young, I was a utopian and libertarian but I quickly realized that it would be very difficult to change the world. So, I entered the system to change it from the inside. And I think I had an impact on my close environment, as the “righteous among the nations” had during the Second World War. I did not leave my work because unlike The Trouble Notes, I was not talented enough in one artistic speciality. Sometimes thanks to my job, sometimes outside (my job is light years away from the art world), I was able to play in theatre, sing within musical comedies and make appearances in films. My advice: true freedom is first: to get free time and second: to know how to use it! In my case, rarely a proverb has been more true: the clothes do not make the man! Do not wait for change, change your life by your behaviour and share love arround you! You are your own prime minister!

SUCCESS AND SUCCESSION

What is my conception of a successful life, in other words, what is my definition of success? The word « success » makes me think about succession. Since our childhood, we grow up with this preoccupation in school, university, jobs, sports, family, heritage, even in retirement we must succeed… This question is an echo of the adventure of The Trouble Notes. They had everything to succeed and they left their comfortable life and the symbols of success, to become street musicians all over the world. I am deeply convinced that true success depends on our ability to seduce! In this matter, Bennet, Oli and Flo can serve as an example: They succeed! And why do they have this success? Simply because they decided to stop looking at their belly button and made the decision to turn to others, to the world, all over the world with a great ambition: to spread happiness everywhere they go! Reached goal guys !

And your adventure is just beginning!

The Troublemakers

We meet you in every city that we travel to, magicians – likeminded souls that we want to portrait as The Troublemakers.
Our mission is to give each one of you a voice. Life is about exchange and sharing a picture. We believe all of you have a unique and individual connection to The Trouble Notes and therefore we want to digitally bring you a bit closer together. Even though you all are spread around the world. We believe we can grow together. This project is the brainchild of our manager Stefanie Tendler (@lalalopoberlin), who is responsible for connecting our troubled universe.