Musician, composer, and producer Nicolas Ludwig is the man behind Till Lindemann’s single Meine Welt. RammWiki decided to ask him some questions and got to know more about the man, his music, and which moment in the creative process gave him goosebumps.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you come from and what led you to where you are now?
I was born and raised in Memmingen, a quiet town in the south of Germany. Looking back, I truly believe that everything that happened was guided by something bigger than me. I’d say God, or maybe destiny, led me to where I am today.
Did you grow up in a musical family, or where does your love for music come from?
Not really – but my dad used to play a lot of great music around the house, stuff like Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, or The Eagles – real classics that definitely stuck with me.
Can you tell us about how you started creating music?
I started composing music when I was around 14, using FL Studio 7, I think, and some old Lil Jon and G-Unit drum kits – haha! That’s how it all began: just me experimenting with sounds and having fun.
Which instruments do you play?
None in a professional way, haha! I consider myself more of a new-school producer. If it sounds good, I’ve done my job right. Plus, this approach makes my workflow way faster and more flexible – I can shape the sound exactly how I want, without being limited by real-world setups.
How do you start writing a song? And what’s your process until you finish it?
I usually start with the chorus and the top-line melody, often just on a simple piano. If it feels catchy to me right away, that’s the sign to dive deeper. From there, I build the arrangement, add textures, and fine-tune depending on the genre I’m working with.
How did you discover Rammstein? Were you a fan before you worked with Till?
I remember hearing Rammstein through my brother’s bedroom door when we were kids. The first time I really listened to them was when I saw Sonne (Live RAR 2010) on YouTube. I became a fan within seconds! I still love watching that performance to this day – it’s probably my all-time favorite live show. The power, the energy – it’s just unmatched.
A news article you gave an interview for said that you remixed a Rammstein song and sent it to the band’s management. Which song was that, and can we listen to that remix online somewhere?
It was Till’s solo track Zunge. You can check it out in my Instagram reels!
Why did you make a remix of that song in the first place?
I’ve always enjoyed remixing popular songs and putting my own spin on them, especially with a more cinematic and emotional style. Getting feedback from the original artists felt like a kind of validation to me.
After sending the remix… how exactly did things unfold that lead to you writing a song for TL?
I was actually asked if I had any original music for Till. Of course, I wasn’t prepared at all, so I asked Till’s manager for one week to put together a few tracks. He was cool with it, so I went to my 9-to-5 job, came home, quickly made myself a meal, and then worked on demos late into the night for seven days straight. After that, things kind of escalated, haha!
How many demos did you send to Till?
I sent him three tracks. The first one he listened to was Meine Welt, which I called Finsternis at the time. I still remember walking into Till’s place while the instrumental was blasting through his entire apartment, and he was just vibing to it. That moment still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Do you know how many he ultimately used or plans on using?
Maybe I know – maybe I don’t! Let’s find out!
How did you choose the demos you’d send to Till? Which sound and musical elements did you consider a good fit for Till Lindemann?
Normally, I create music that fits the artist, but this time, I just focused on making music I loved in that moment – emotional, yet epic and bright-sounding, almost like a soundtrack. I wanted Till to get a sense of the kind of music I’m passionate about, and I think that energy came through when he listened to Meine Welt.
What was it like to work with Till? Did he come up with ideas for the song? What did he suggest? Like changes to the structure, or did he even add extra pieces of music (that you played) to the song?
I love working with Till – he’s a true artist. Meine Welt was actually my first time building a studio setup at someone’s home, so I was nervous as hell and kind of thrown in at the deep end. But Till gave me time and comfort, which made all the difference. We always exchange ideas and bounce them around. For example, he came up with the piano melody in the second part of the hook. It’s a pleasure working with him.
How much did the song Meine Welt change from your initial demo to the ultimately released song?
The main parts stayed the same, but we made a lot of changes since I composed, arranged, and mixed the demo in just about two days. There was definitely more time to refine and polish the track before the final release.
Now with a bit of distance since you worked with Till on the song… are you 100% satisfied with it, or would you like to change something?
I’m a perfectionist, so it’s always hard for me to fully accept a final version of a song. Meine Welt means a lot to me and will always be my number one. It carries so many memories and emotions from where I started to the moment we released it. It’s about starting a new chapter in life and letting go of the past. Honestly, I never thought my own first major release would help me personally get through some things, haha.
What songs/remixes of yours would you recommend listening to, if someone wants to hear more of your music? And where can we listen to them?
I’d recommend checking out my latest symphony, Black Despair (Schönes Schwarz), which I just released on all streaming platforms. It’s kind of a little side project of mine, showcasing a different side of my music.
