Interview by Despina Dimotsi. ENGLISH EDITION, Issue 10, Fall 2026
Swiss-Croatian actor, model and recording artist David Schaefer is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting independent pop voices. Known on screen for roles in Lads in the City (2019), Into My Ears (2018) and Eleven (2018), Schaefer first built an international career in fashion, spending a decade modeling for global brands including Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Vogue Mexico and GQ, with later covers including Men’s Health.
Alongside his acting and modeling work, Schaefer has steadily developed a music career as singer-songwriter David Deen. Previously signed to Disney/Sony Music Germany and performing across Europe with pop group Culture Box, he later collaborated with internationally renowned DJ Mike Candys, providing the lead vocals on All Around the World, which has amassed more than 6 million YouTube views. Now pursuing a solo path, Schaefer has released a string of singles over the past year, including the euphoric pop anthem Dancing In The Summer Rain, which reached No.1 on the Indie Radio Charts for two consecutive weeks.
On March 14, 2026, Schaefer released his debut EP Under Open Skies, marking a new chapter in his evolving sound. His latest single, Wonderland, a lush cinematic Christmas pop ballad written and produced by the award-winning team at Harvey/Grey Music, blends classic festive warmth with modern pop polish. Currently back in the studio recording his seventh single, Schaefer continues to cement his growing reputation as a dynamic multi-hyphenate performer across music, film and fashion.
DD: Welcoming you to our magazine, we would like you to tell us which are your earliest memories of being truly moved by something creative?
DS: One of my earliest memories of being truly moved was as a child, when my parents took me to my first live music concerts. I saw incredible artists like Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, and especially Michael Jackson. His singing and performance were unforgettable and left a lasting impression on me. Watching him on stage inspired me to explore my own voice, and I later developed my falsetto as well as my chest voice for various dance productions I performed in. That moment made me realize that being a performer was a dream I wanted to pursue myself.
DD: How did those early days as a model shape the visual identity you carry in your music career today?
DS: Starting out as a model shaped me deeply. Through world travels, new experiences, and the people I met, I became the person I am today. It opened many doors that I will always be grateful for. Learning how to flirt or work with the camera, tell a story for each project, and collaborate with photographers and directors taught me presence, confidence, and the ability to bring imagination to life. Those lessons later became essential in my music career, helping me act, perform, and express myself fully on stage.
DD: What was the first frame of cinema that stayed with you long after the credits rolled?
DS: The first film that stayed with me was Legends of the Fall, with Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. I’ve watched it countless times. The breathtaking cinematography, the moving soundtrack, the story, the stunning locations, and the actors’ incredible performances all stayed with me. I watched many films growing up, but this one remains my favorite. If you haven’t seen it yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
DD: Which role was your favorite one and why.
DS: One of my favorite roles so far in my early acting career since I haven’t done that many films yet was when I was cast as a Russian gangster, Artem Chernakov, in London. I had to learn a Russian accent and really prepare for the character. It was an amazing opportunity that I’m very grateful for. We had the premiere at the IMAX cinema in London and even went with the team to the Cannes Film Festival to promote the movie. It was so much fun and full of great memories. Another memorable role was in Eleven, where I played a German soldier called Otto Schneider. That experience taught me a lot about set life and how the independent film industry works, and it really prepared me for future projects. It was freezing while shooting the trench scenes, but I enjoyed every second of being part of such a great independent movie. I love historical films and never imagined that one day I could say I had acted in a World War I film. No one can take me that away same as my music and other creative work I did.
I also co-produced and co-wrote a short film called Into My Ears, which was a small passion project for me. Most scenes were improvised and often done in one take, so there was a lot of pressure, but we pulled it off through teamwork. It’s hard to choose just one favorite, but the Russian gangster role stands out not only because it was fun, but also because the people on set were amazing. Celebrating together in Cannes was unforgettable. We went out for dinner together and simply enjoyed the time there.
DD: English is often called the language of pop, but German is the language of precision. Do you agree? What does each language do for the music?
DS: I think there’s some truth to that. English has a natural rhythm and flexibility that makes it perfect for pop music it flows easily, sounds catchy, and connects across cultures. German, on the other hand, has a precision and strength in its consonants and structure, which gives music a very different feeling. It can sound dramatic, powerful, or even poetic in a very grounded way. It’s funny because I traveled to many countries as a model and stayed for months in places like China, Malaysia, Cape Town in South Africa, Mexico, and many others. At some point I even started dreaming in English. Most of my network and friends are English speaking. I spend already 20 years in the entertainment industry. How time flies. For me as an artist, English allows me to experiment with melody and reach an international audience, while German adds weight and clarity to lyrics. Each language shapes the music differently and opens its own creative possibilities. I love both languages.
DD: Does solo career contain freedom? Tell us a little bit about that.
DS: Going solo was always a big dream of mine, even before my Disney pop band in Germany when I was signed with Sony Music. I’m incredibly grateful for my team. Being an independent artist has taught me to be proactive and work hard, while also understanding the marketing and business side of music. Every decision I make, I discuss with my label, Harvey Grey Music in the UK, who started my career from scratch when I had zero songs. They believed in me when no one else did. It’s a privilege working with such an incredible team in the music industry who really helped me a lot from day one.Before working with them, I had two hour meetings with major labels that didn’t end up working out. I understood the concerns they had. I was not having consistent music releases, was years gone from the music industry. It needed my team Harvey Grey music to change all that they to this day really believe in me same as I believe in them. Looking back, I’m grateful things happened the way they did.
Now I’m about to record my seventh single release, and I’ve just released my first EP called Under Open Skies. It still feels like a dream. Being independent isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. You can truly be proud of every step you take and every achievement you reach together with your team. It’s hard work and lots of going around some obstacles. I am used to that. I was born as a kid with a heart defect so I always had some obstacles to overcome in my case also the decision between life and dead. I’m grateful my heart healed and I can enjoy every new day. I couldn’t have asked for a better team Caitlin Neil Harvey Grey music are supportive and extremely professional. I really feel things aligned at the right time. My producers Caitlin and Neil came into my life when everything had gone wrong and I was at a very low point. I almost gave up, even though I’m someone who naturally never gives up not even when I was a sick child with a heart defect or had some other issues on my world travels or life. I thank God that Caitlin reached out to me and showed interest in working together.
DD: Take us beneath the surface of your debut EP, Under the Skies. What was the emotional landscape you wanted to capture in these tracks?
DS: With my debut EP Under Open Skies, I wanted to capture a wide emotional landscape moments of reflection, vulnerability, hope, and personal growth. The songs explore different feelings we all experience while searching for our place in the world. For me, the title Under Open Skies symbolizes that we are all living our stories under the same sky, going through struggles, dreams, and transformations. Each track reflects a different part of that journey, and creating the EP allowed me to express emotions that words alone sometimes can’t fully capture. I wanted the music to feel honest and cinematic so listeners could find their own memories and emotions within the songs. With every release we also tried to take things one step further both vocally and in terms of production. I’m quite a perfectionist, and I think my team is too, so we are a great match both professionally and personally.
DD: What are your future plans? What does the next chapter of your creative evolution look like?
DS: My team and I have some exciting plans ahead. We created a one year roadmap, and we’re now about to record and release the seventh single. We’re also planning some live shows soon so we can bring these songs directly to people. I really miss performing live it’s something I truly enjoy and value deeply. We have great plans for the future, but I believe in working in silence and letting success make the noise. I learned to not disclose things to early. Often when I told things before they happen they didn’t happen. So now I’m more careful. Soon you will hear more, but for now I have to keep my cards close to my chest. Thank you so much for having me. It was a real pleasure answering your unique questions.