Stories of Passion and Dedication.
CARPASUS Portrait: Dionys Müller
Dionys Müller is a musician. Since 2020, he has been writing, producing, and releasing songs under his project Worries And Other Plants. Warm guitar sounds and hypnotic beats define his music, quickly drawing you into another world.
The 35-year-old grew up in Oberriet in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley and now lives in Altstätten – in a three-room apartment that, as we will later find out, is not far from his dream. He stores his records and merch in a side room, while his bedroom has been transformed into a home studio. This is where he records all his songs himself. He records most of the instruments on his own.
With success: His songs are played on national and international radio stations and streamed by thousands of listeners worldwide. Last summer, he and his band performed on the stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, and in November, he celebrated the release of his latest record at a sold-out show at the St. Galler Palace. Now, he's set to embark on a European tour as the opening act for the band Oracle Sisters.
We met Dionys in his apartment for a conversation.
Who are you?
I’m Dionys Müller, originally from Oberriet and now living in Altstätten. I’m a musician.
What drives you?
(Thinks for a moment.) I’m not exactly sure what drives me – I just do it. I have no other choice. Music is a part of me, and I constantly have to work on it. My bigger challenge is actually slowing down sometimes and not wanting to make music all the time.
How did you discover your passion?
Even as a child, I was always creating sounds and tones. My sister’s guitar was always lying around, and I would pluck at it—though only on the top string. (Mimics the motion with his fingers.)
At school, we had to choose an instrument, and I went for the drums. But because it felt like an obligation, I wasn’t particularly successful with it and eventually gave it up. Later, as a teenager, I started exploring different genres of music and sampling songs, rapping my own Swiss German lyrics over them. I picked up the drums again and, after my hip-hop phase, started a post-rock band (Too Mad). At the same time, I taught myself to play the piano and guitar.
My style has evolved over the years, but in essence, I’ve been doing the same thing since I was 15: writing, producing, and releasing my own songs—since 2020 under the name Worries And Other Plants.
Where do you get your inspiration from
Most of the time, it’s personal topics that occupy my mind. My inspiration is life itself. Even if my songs might sound like laid-back surf tunes at first, there’s often a deeper meaning behind them. I process everything that moves me—both the good and the bad.
What does music mean to you?
I’m fascinated by the fact that there’s no right or wrong in music. Our world is full of rules and norms—but in music, I am completely free.
I don’t need to be able to read sheet music or cover songs by other artists. I can express myself however I want. That gives me autonomy. Music knows no boundaries.
Where do your songs come from?
For me, songs are a way to express myself. Others do this through painting, photography, or fashion—I do it through music.
Songs are a way for me to communicate with people without speaking directly to them. They are like a vessel for my thoughts.
What makes a good song for you?
A song has to move me. I like hypnotic music—sounds that repeat and transport me to another world. I’m less fond of too many changes within a song.
Is there a person or event that has shaped you the most?
There isn’t one single person who has shaped me. It’s more the sum of my surroundings—my friends, my family, and of course, the music I listen to, which flows into my own work.
What does a typical week or day look like for you?
From Monday to Wednesday, I work in a candle factory. On Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends, I fully dedicate myself to my music. There’s no set daily routine, but it always revolves around music. I handle concert bookings, merchandise, work on new songs and mixes. I decide spontaneously what I feel like doing or what’s coming up next.
Do you have any rituals or habits that help you stay creative?
It helps me to work towards a specific goal. I can’t just play or write aimlessly. When a few songs come together, I quickly see how a new structure is forming. Maybe it turns into an EP or even an album that I want to release later. That motivates me and gives me structure.
What plans and dreams do you have for the future?
My biggest dream is to own a house that I can fully dedicate to my music (laughs). A place with a fully equipped studio where I can live, work, and rehearse with my band without distractions, and a garden where the sun always shines. That would be wonderful.
Thank you, Dionys, for the conversation!
Dio's Look
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CARPASUS Portraits
CARPASUS Portraits showcases inspiring, bold and creative individuals from our community who give their all for their passion. We visit them in their studios, kitchens, ateliers, offices, and workshops, chat with them, and photograph them in their favorite CARPASUS pieces.
Photos: Simon Costabiei