Sometimes music begins not in a studio but in a moment of connection.
When Water Ambassador Marja Nieuwveld heard my song “Budapest, I’m Finally Home,” she was deeply moved, so much so that she invited me to compose a new piece dedicated to the Gotthard Massif, the source of Europe’s great rivers and the symbolic heart of Switzerland.

That invitation led me on a journey north in July 2025, when I travelled to the Netherlands by train to meet Marja and my producer Bradon John Grobler in person for the first time. I still remember stepping off the train and seeing their smiling faces at the station, a meeting that instantly felt like old friends reunited.

We spent the following days sharing ideas, laughter, and songs. Over dinner, Marja spoke passionately about the importance of the Gotthard as the “water castle of Europe.” Later, in Brad’s studio, we began shaping the first chords and melodies that would become Gotthard’s Heartbeat.

One evening, Brad took me around Rotterdam, showing me the city’s modern skyline and creative vibe. We stopped at the Markthal, the famous indoor market, and tried Dutch specialities like stroopwafels and dessert, laughing like children discovering something new. That night, I realised this song wasn’t just about mountains and water; it was about connection, people from different countries coming together through music, culture, and friendship.

Back in the studio, we captured that spirit.
This cinematic rock anthem combines orchestral power with the timeless tone of the alphorn, performed by Swiss virtuoso Peter Baumann. With orchestration by Bradon John Grobler and dynamic vocals and percussion by Ian Hardwick, the piece transforms the Gotthard Pass into a living musical symbol where tradition, nature, and innovation flow together.

What began as Gotthard Massiv (released 31 October 2025) soon developed into a broader artistic vision. Supported by Gotthard Connects and Water Ambassador Marja Nieuwveld, I produced the expanded edition Gotthard – The Heartbeat of the Mountains (out 21 November 2025), featuring a piano heartbeat, natural water sounds, and verses in German, French, Italian, and Romansh, symbolising Switzerland’s unity in diversity.

The world premiere will occur at the International Water Symposium in Andermatt on 22 November 2025, before more than 700 delegates, scientists, and cultural leaders, in a celebration of Swiss music, nature, and heritage.

“For me, the Gotthard is more than a mountain,” says Astral Rocks’ Milli Schweizer.
“It’s the heartbeat of our country,  where water, culture, and history meet.”