Is an Irish-American producer who has been a leading figure in the international music-business for the past 15 years. He has been worked extensively between worldwide music centers, and the US, discovering new talent and finding American partners for international entertainment.
While affiliated with the German owned BMG Entertainment, Mr Sweret brought to the United States and helped develop some of the most popular music of the day, including Ace of Base, Sarah McLachlan and N'Sync.
Mr Sweret recently started a European based company called Harbour Arts, with offices in Hamburg and NY, which specializes in creating new talent for the worldwide market. His most recent project, Andiamo, was created after nearly two years of searching the Italian opera circuit for talent, with musical development in Rome. Andiamo has recently been signed to major American companies for television and music rights.
Mr Sweret has now begun work on creating a new project with Roma talent, in the style of Gypsy Kings or Vaya con Dios, basing himself in Budapest near to its
famous Opera and Liszt Ferenc Music Academy. In his spare time he is renovating a flat that dates from the 1880s and discovering the Hungarian country-side.
Interview
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I had been visiting Hungary very frequently during the last ten years as work brought me between New York and Europe quite often. I became enchanted by Budapest, and have now decided to base myself here.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Never, but have stayed for extended periods of weeks in Germany, Italy for work and Ireland with family.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
That it is still with a foot firmly planted in the "Old World" but is hurtling towards the future very fast. I like the fact that from when I first came as a tourist in 1990 I can still see all the similarities, and not just note the extremely vast changes. You cannot say the same thing about Dublin, and increasingly New York too, during this period. The sea
change has not yet happened in Budapest, for better or worse. I am sure it will come here too.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and
do?
Breakfast at Gresham will drop any visitors jaw to the ground and is a good place to start. Marvel at the view from the Castle, Citadella, dinner at Cafe Kõr, antiques and galleries on Falk Miksa, Hõsok ter museums, perhaps a performance at the Opera or Operette if there is someone performing that I know. Piaf after wards. Margit Sziget for a walk next
day.
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Goose liver in all its variations, summer fruits and soups, gestenyepüré, a firey hal leves.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Selections from the food Duty Free shopping at any number of airports from the previous weeks.
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Finom.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
The ability to find anything you might possibility want 24 hours a day.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Hotelier.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Politician.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Madrid.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Italy.
13. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I loved recorded music from the time I was a small child and my hobby as a DJ turned into a music profession. I absolutely loved The Beatles as a child, and later The Ramones and The Clash as punk came.
14. What can't you resist?
Any opportunity to enjoy a good conversation with a glass of wine (or a beer). I find the warmth and humanity of Hungarians and Irish are very similar.
15. Red wine or white?
Depends on season. I would love to visit Tokaj region and breathe in the atmosphere. I hear it is magic there in a few places.
16. Book or movie?
Movie and then book.
17. Morning person or night person?
Was LATE night person for 20 years, now enjoying the AM a bit more.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Depends on their personalities, but am warm to both.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Have always stayed in Buda around II and XII Districts but just now purchased in Pest by the Opera. I love the timeless show business feel around Nagymezõ and the buzz of new shop-cafes and galleries that spring up around Király utca. But I do know a lovely garden
in Buda might always enchant me in the future.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Keep the wind in your sails but plot a scenic route.