2022 in Review & Calendar Download
On paper, 2022 didn’t look too great. We won’t even begin to name the many issues us Earthlings had to face this year. We know almost all of us will have felt the consequences of insane developments and horrendous decisions being made around the globe these past 12 months.
But despite all odds, we had a very meaningful and, well, GOOD year and so much to be grateful for. This is our end-of-the-year post and it might get a bit lengthy, but we want to revisit just a few of our favourite moments of the year. All of which you, the MLT Club members, played a big role in, too.
We started off 2022 by working on a bunch of videos including many of the “MLT Club” videos like our What’s On The Table series which we then edited and released throughout the year. We also stocked up on a few more Duo Sessions. However, the first “big” production was our video for the single “Questionable” which we shot on Valentine’s Day and released less than a week later. The big filming day was one of our favourites of the year!
We then created a Behind The Scenes Video for the MLT Club and started to really buckle down on the final recordings for our WHY? album.
While we kept trying to make sense of the madness that seemed to want to outdo itself on the global stage, we tried to stay sane by funneling a lot of our thoughts, frustrations and hopes into new songs. Make Show, Destination Sunrise … the album started taking on more and more shape.
The next few months were spent writing and recording new songs, when in May a very fluffy surprise waddled into our lives:
Neve, our adopted gosling, stayed with us for a few weeks and inspired us to write the final song of our new album called Pretty Little Thing.
It was a wild summer filled with goose diapers and long recording sessions.
Long, hot summer nights turned into short and rainy ones, and come September we were able to set a release date for this new record we had been working on for so many years. WHY? came out on October 29th and with it the new single “Make Show”:
The release of the album went incredibly well, and it feels like only now, that the year is wrapping up and the daily videos for the annual MLT Club Advent Calendar are behind us, that we finally had time to pause, breathe and take it all in.
To add the final touch to the WHY? album release we just published downloadable Lyrics & Chords Booklets to the MLT Club so you can read/sing/play along to the record!
Besides the 23 daily videos during December we also released 35+ other exclusive videos to the MLT Club this year from Q&As to Giveaways, Behind-The-Scenes videos and What’s On The Table episodes to Duo Sessions and Interviews. We also upgraded our website server considerably which made the website run faster and allowed us to finally implement a lot of new community features here in the MLT Club, which make the whole place more social and allow you to get more involved with each other as a community. The brand new Activity Stream summarises all site-wide activities for you, and we will soon explain all the new features in detail.
Last but not least, we created a lot of new merch to go along with the album release! One of them was our 2023 Wall Calendar which is just about to sell out. As another goodie we created a FREE downloadable/printable version of it for all MLT Club members:
This year has been a blast and a hell of a lot of work but we loved it all. Of course, when we say “we” we always include our dad “Papa Rudi” and step-mum Michaela who work their butts off in this crazy endeavour as well! š We have also had great help from friends with the shipping and shop communication and couldn’t have handled this year’s orders without them.
The MLT Club community has grown a lot, and we are so incredibly lucky and proud to be where we are today. You know us, we already have big plans for 2023, and you lovely people reading this are the ones making many of them possible, not only with your monthly or yearly Club fees but many donations throughout the year. The year ahead will be one filled with many videos and we will aim to take the MLT Club to the next level … and who knows, there might even be a new record! š
Dream big, rock on, stay curious and most of all …
Stay groovy!
Mona & Lisa
Gut’s Neus š
Happy New year +5 to the Wagner family. And to all you MLT CLubbers. Just want to add that I am extremely proud of you too. “Why?” is a testament to your growth and depth as songwriters, musicians, and social conscience. I consider myself fortunate that I was there (via clubhouse) as it evolved into a masterpiece. LuvYa Dbya. Peace be. And a groovy 23.
What a year for you and your family, and here you shared it with all of us! Thank you for what you bring to your fans. Happy New Year and here’s to the wonderful year of music ahead of us.
Another GREAT year for MLT and Michaela and papa Rudi! And us fans! LOVE that calendar too! Looking forward to another one as always. Happy new year to everyone!
Also, thank you for the chord and lyric books. The chord book in particular will keep me busy for a while, especially if I have to rekey it to a lower key. I believe I have all three chord books now!! You guy are so kind for supplying us this. Mike.
Happy New Year. Looking at your review of last year I can see how hard you have worked to bring us an experience where we are all part of a family who appreciate each other and can share music that would perhaps pass us by. Hope you and your family have a great year ahead of you and I personally want to push myself towards my dreams as you are with your music
Thank you Mona and Lisa and Family for a great year musically and socially. You do all the hard work and we reap the benefits! Your music this year was the best yet, and I canāt wait to hear whatās in store for 2023! One thing for sure, as The Beatles once said, A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
wishing everyone a happy new year, it was a busy year for me too and what topped it off was the video chat i had with you both it was like talking to my old friends i haven’t seen in a while thank you for making each of our lives a little brighter each time you come into it, God Bless, Good Luck in the coming year, we got your backs, love ya
As I said in my video Thank you for bringing all of us so much joy and happiness and beauty over the last 3 miserable years! You never disappoint! I’m sure 2023 will have more of the same! Happy New Year to you and Papa Rudi and of course Michaela!
Mona and Lisa we want to thank you for all you do for us club members. There is no other group or act that will do what you do for us. Video’s , live stream, and just being yourselves and making us all feel like family. Pa Rudi and Micheala are super and again the support from the both of them speaks volumes to all of us club members. 2022 was a great year for the MLT Club you filled our lives with joy and laughter along the way. And the new album is everything we thought it would be, songs from the heart and not just putting music out there to satisfy stock holders from a huge record label. Every song on the new album and your previous albums are a work of perfection and the lyrics to the music to the god given talent and oh my your wondeful blend of voices is so beautiful and my day is not complete unless I hear a song or view a video. I have said this before and repeat again that in my lifetime this is a one off ( exact words from Charlie Watts about Keith Richards ) and I am so happy to be a MLT Club member and listen and love the music you both provide. Your honesty and love and heart seperates you from the pack.Yes 2022 worldwide has been nothing but a stressfull time for all of us from Policitcs to bad things but Mona and Lisa shed a glimmer of light and joy that saves us from us the distress in the world we live in. Praying that everyone in the MLT Club has a great 2023 and for Mona and Lisa and Pa Rudi and Michaela are blessed to continue the path they are on and most of all for all of us? Good health. We love you Mona and Lisa ang god bless in 2023. The future looks exciting!!
Hugs and love from
Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge Fans from Pittsburgh PA USA
Phew!!! I got tired just reading what you accomplished this past year. To be young and full of energy again. 40 years ago, when I was near your age, I always planned to do much and was happy to get 50% done in one day. I won’t bore you with what I was doing in my 20s and 30s and 40s, let’s leave it at I accomplished the goals I set out to do. This past year my wife and I accomplished a big goal. I retired in 2020 and retirement is a misnomer of sorts. I have more to do now than before, but this time it is doing those things I want to do rather than what the company tells me, or the schools tell me to do. Due to planning over the years, we have two smallish houses, one in North Carolina and one in West Virginia. The North Carolina location is where my wife grew up and the West Virginia location is where I grew up and we spend roughly 6 months a year in each location. We have played music in some places in North Carolina but have not found a place to play in West Virginia yet. Finding a place to play in WV is next on the list. I have written a few songs over the year and would really like to share them with someone who knows more about writing music because I can only take it so far. Maybe some of the musicians in NC and WV can help out. In addition, for the next year we have to settle both houses (getting moved is one thing……getting settled is another) which means arranging the furniture in the houses and throwing out yet more things accumulated over the last 40 years and continuing with some new hobbies now that we have the time. Other than that…….not much going on!! Ha!!!
I look forward to what you guys do musically. As I look over the 3 original albums you have made, it feels like you have refined your “voice” on “Why?”. I am really fascinated with the song “Make Show” in its sophistication and cynicism……..which is a good thing. The other songs on the album are also very strong and the album is your best work yet.
I wish for a happy, healthy, and creative New Year for Mona, Lisa, Michaela, and Papa Rudi. Mike.
As a newbie to this group and someone who has just discovered your work, I can’t add much but endorse what people have said already. The world is run by insane people who don’t have our best interests at heart. Your music is my music and as I learn your work it is wonderful to see how you have arrived at ‘Why’. A superb piece of work and lyrically questioning the world and where we are going. I am so pleased to have found this group and wish the family Wagner and all members a Happy New Year! Steve
Happy New Year Wagner Family! I want to thank you so much for all you do for us. Hoping 2023 is a good one!
Happy New Year to Mona and Lisa, and of course Michaela and Papa Rudi! It’s been a great MLT year with an amazing album as well as lots of other goodies. To cap it all, I get to put up my new calendar on 1st January with another 12 fantastic pictures of two super talented and lovely people. You do so much over the year so that we are never “Alone” and every week brings a new message or video sharing your love with us all!
Here are some Edinburgh fireworks to say goodbye to 2022!
I always struggle to come up with words that do justice to describe just how much I appreciate and adore all that you two create, do and share. You are truly special and amazing human beings. You make this world a brighter, more hopeful, and much more enjoyable place. You have spoiled me and my fellow groovy Club members with your good vibes and now I can not imagine a world without having you to share it with.
Congratulations on a very productive and successful 2022. WHY? is an epic achievement and sits at the top of my all time favorite music album list along with only a small handful of other (very famous) releases over the past 60 years. Yes, its that good!
May 2023 bring the whole Wagner family every possible joy and success. I’m so looking forward to sharing it with you!
Reading all the comments before I comment leaves me with nothing to say that would be newā¦everyone has covered it all from what a topsy turvey world we all live in and the fruitcakes running itā¦kind of makes me think that the movie Planet of the Apes could become a realityā¦your lyrics in so many of the new songs are so thoughtful and meaningful that a person really needs to read the lyrics one time as they listen to the song and it doesnāt take a moment to realize the genius in walking the political line without taking sides..left or right..that went into the wording of each line of every stanzaā¦..truly remarkableā¦ā¦Iāve already mentioned this next āthingā several times and I donāt want to overdo it but ALONE really is a masterpieceā¦please make it a Duo Sessionā¦.I realized months ago when listening to your family album from 2007 that this song updated from 13 yr old voices to mature adult voices would be a killerā¦I even commented that possibly could be on the album that eventually became WHY? and then you proved me right by performing it live stream and youāve read the comments from all these other MLT Clubbers expressing their excitement for ALONEā¦.and I know itās up to you Mona and Lisa for you to decideā¦howād Ringo put it..sometimes you just need ā a little from my friendsā.
Okay all that being said ..Thank You Mona..Lisa..Papa Rudi..Michaela for all that you do ā¦I and so many others absolutely enjoy being part of your club and look forward to the New Year and weekly episodes with the Wagner Familyā¦ā¦kind of reminds me of the old TV show OZZIE and HARRIET as we watched weekly for 14 years as the two young brothers David and Ricky grew up and Ricky Nelson became Americaās very first āPop Idolāā¦..Thank You all Club members for helping to help me keep my sanity from week to week reading your comments as we all look forward collectively to a Happy and Prosperous New Year and wait anxiously every week for the next adventure of The MonaLisa Twinsā¤ļøš§”š
I’ll second your motion for a Duo Session of “Alone”! I can’t get that song out of my head…or my heart.
Thank you so much for the chords booklet and your kind wishes!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odcn6qk94bs
I love this pictureā¦Iām a Trekkie and this pic is beautiful.
For many in the world it seems like 2022 ended on a bad note. “Why” pretty much summed up why. But for the MLT Club, it ended up really great – a new album and a wonderful Advent calendar. You really delivered big in 2022.
I’m ready to be surprised and amazed by what comes from you guys in 2023. I’m still pushing for an “Alone” Duo-Session, but Iām always am happy with whatever you guys come up with.
Here’s wishing the Wagners and the MLT Club members a wonderful 2023. We will raise a glass to you tomorrow.
Pushing for an ALONE Duo Session !ā¦letās seeā¦how did Smokey Robinson put itā¦āI second that emotionāā¦ā¦..and Iāll third itā¦ALONE ALONE ALONE for a Duo Session
Count me in on the voting – yes to ALONE!
I also join the motion for the Duo Session of “Alone”
First I want to with both of you, Mona and Lisa a very Happy New Year, your parents and the entire MLT Club no matter where you are in the world (there are lots of us across the globe!) Second I want to thank you girls for providing a weekly video that makes being in the Club a personal, almost intimate experience into knowing who you really are when you are not holding a musical instrument standing on stage or making a music video. Along with the Advent Calendar it gives us a chance to peek into your funny and engaging personalities. In the world we’re in right now with challenges of pandemic illnesses, crashing economies, wars and threats of wars, etc., all of which are very depressing, coming here and seeing you and sharing comments with others in the Club lifts my spirits and brings a glimmer of hope and happiness each time you share a bit of yourselves with us. The Live Stream was the best Christmas gift I received for sure (I was Needle Needle on the steam) and I already look forward to next year (or maybe another Live Stream during the year š if possible) Saying thank you seems like it’s not enough, but I do sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to make the world a better place.
Hello everyone.
This year that is about to end was heavy with everything that happens in the world, on Fridays for a few minutes everything improved week after week, so it was just moving on.
And December arrived and everything returned to normal with the advent calendar that Mona, Lisa Michaela and Rudi share with us year after year and invite us to participate with them. IT’S GREAT!!
Thank you for sharing the lyrics and chords of your original work with us.
I wish the Wagner family and club members a happy and prosperous 2023.
It’s been a fantastic year with the four of you! šā¤šā¤
Thank you!! šš¶šµšš»ššæšš¼ššš¾šš»ā¼ļø
Mona, Lisa, Michaela, and Papa Rudi:
Thank you for everything that you have accomplished during this past year and for kindness that you have exhibited to all the MLT Club members!
Obviously, the past year has been difficult globally, but you have done more than your part to make this world a better place. In addition to creating great music, you have developed a deep, social conscience in your lyrics that helps us question “WHY?”!
You are doing great, much kudos. Hopefully, you have had a nice few days since Livestream. You work hard and it is a labor of love, but do not forget to enjoy yourselves outside of your musical endeavors. Wishing you much happiness in 2023!
Finally, as I said on the Christmas video, “Congratulations on a fantastic 2022!”
A possible new record? I’m excited already for 2023!!! The MLT Club has a great bunch of people in it, & is run by 4 of the most dedicated groovy people that I consider friends, even though we have never met. Happy New Year to Mona, Lisa, Papa Rudi, & Michaela & everyone in the MLT Club!!! Looking forward to 2023.
Howdy,
The Beatles sang “Tell Me Why?”
Billy Joel sang “Don’t Ask Me Why”
And Mona & Lisa sang “Why?” And made us happy.
I hope everyone has a Happy & Healthy New Year – 2023
The best is yet to come.
Cheers,
Bobby S.
ļ»æ
Thank you for all your hard work and all the outstanding music. Wishing Mona Lisa Rudolf and Michaela and all MLT club members a happy and safe 2023.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! AND ALL THE VERY BEST MONA, LISA, MICHAELA, AND RUDOLF ALL THROUGH THE NEW YEAR.
What an amazing MLT year it’s been. Through all the craziness that has has happened in the world this year, you have been a constant beacon of light in the darkness through the love and inspiration you spread with your music, creativity, and groovy cheer. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your amazing work of art masterpiece album WHY? that express all the joy, wonder, awe and why of life so passionately and beautifully! Absolutely love it. It has been one of the most fulfilling years ever for me being a part of your music journey. Wishing you all great prosperity, love, happiness, and music in 2023 and beyond. āØ š¶ š š
Happy New Year Mona Lisa Michaela and Rudolf, and to all the MLT Club!
Hope 2023 brings lots of Peace and Love.
2022 has been a great year in the MLT Club!
Thank you for the ride!
Happy and prosperous New Year to you Mona and Lisa and of course papa Rudi and Michaela. May I also wish the same to each and everyone of the MLT club members. Looking forward to the new year in the club.š
Happy New Year Mona,Lisa,Papa Rudi,Michaela,and everyone in the MLT Club,I wish you all a Healthy,Prosperous,Fun Filled Year ahead.I cannot wait to see what our girls have in the works for us.
Love & Hugs to All
š š š š„ š¾
Tom
As a 60ās song goes āIām Into Something Goodā Feeling Fine, etcā¦
all 4 of you are doing a fine, fine thing. Your creativity is amazing in music, art works, lyrics, videos, mastering, mixing, etcā¦.
Itās exciting anticipation as to what you will do next.
As we all the count earth orbits around the sun in our place in a big universe reaching # 2023 Happy New Year
Hi John,
I do not know if anyone in the club ever referenced a Herman’s Hermits song, that is cool. They had so many good songs. For some reason I always remembered the lead singer’s full name – Peter Blair Dennis Bernard Noone lol. Why does he have so many names? He has a great personality.
May I say – “It’s Getting Better all the Time”.
Take care,
Bobby
When the Beatles hit America my mother said āthatās not musicā¦music is blue eyesāā¦I asked what is blue eyes and she says Frank Sinatraā¦ok Mom was born in 1930ā¦Dad died at age 36 in 1963ā¦..Mom eventually met someone else and all of sudden Mom was singing āIām into Something Goodāā¦every time I hear that song I think of Mom who just last year at age 91 was laid to rest next to Dadā¦..hhhhmmmm might be a nice song for a future Beatles and More Vol 4ā¦5ā¦6..etc
Whew! What a year! Can somebody take these ladies skiing or something to recharge.
Amem “recharge”, and I’m sure they will have a camera along.
Yeah, no getting away from it all for the Twins. We fans want to tag along via video wherever they go. Especially, in my case, if it’s skiing. Sorry.
Happy New Year, Team MLT! It must be a huge sense of relief to have completed and released the wonderful new original album this past year. 2023 should be a breeze by comparison.
And thank you for publishing the chords for all the “Why?” songs. Time to pick up my uke and get busy adding to my repertoire!
Happy New Year!
It’s lovely isn’t it?
It can’t have been easy for you to maintain the pace like you have over the last 6 months or so. Well, there’s a story collection by Ray Bradbury called “A Medicine for Melancholy”, and I think those words describe what your music has meant for fans like me. The past year has been horrible in a lot of ways. So thanks for your superb music and congratulations on the new album! Happy New Year to all the MLTC.
I’m happy to be back in the club!! I’ve been watching you grow by leaps and bounds for so many years now, and spinning your music at the radio station as often as possible. Happy holidays to you both!! This is me dressed as Santa on vacation…
I don’t think I have ever known two young women who are as enthusiastic, passionate and honest about the things that they want to achieve. I only joined the Club in November this year and I am so pleased that I did. I have spent some time looking at videos from your very young days to the present. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and mature into the accomplished musicians that you are today and not forgetting the lovely personalities and beauty that you both have. I hope that one day I will get the chance to meet you all.
Mona, Lisa, Papa Rudi and Michaela I wish you a very Happy and prosperous New Year.
Stay Safe and Always Groovy xx
Happy New Year. I’m very happy I joined this year. Anticipating a great 2023!
Michael & Mona thanks for the up votes!!
I already have the physical calendar, but the downloadable version is fantastic, as now I can use it as my desktop wallpaper! Happy new year Wagner family and MLT club family!
Happy New year, and Iām so glad I joined you this year- Really looking forward to what 2023 brings – Thank you x
Happy holiday weekend and New Year to all
I’m glad that I’ve been able to tag along on your adventures this year. 2022 definitely was not one of my favorite years either and I look forward to new beginnings in 2023. Thank you for the wonderful music, and constant laughs and smiles! You have no idea how much it meant to me. You are truly a breath of fresh air as well as being good hearted and genuine. I wish you all love and happiness and an amazing 2023! Much love from the states!
PS: The photo was from my feuerzangenbowle on Christmas. Trying to keep those traditions alive (without losing my eyebrows š ). Prost!
Within the confines of our MLT community, it has been a wonderful year! Thank you for providing a safe, sane, and fun-filled haven from our troubled world. The optimism and hope we find here will surely strengthen us for the year to come! Best wishes to you all for a very happy new year!
Thank you for the amazing music!! Looking forward to an incredible 2023
Happy New Year and may your Dreams come true and your Blessings be many . Love this Club ! Thank You for all you do