We enjoyed listening to your song “Twice”. What is the story behind the song and how did you create/write it? Also, what inspired the song title?
The story behind “Twice” is a little complex because it travels through time. It’s about a situation where you want both things, in and out, yet only when it’s gone you notice it’s worth. Going through a difficult break-up inspired this song. I wanted to keep the end positive though, “just take my hand, we can make it if we try”.
For this song I started in the melody, then slowly I try to understand it, feel it and put it into words. At first the groove was slower, almost bluesy but I felt it needed a bit of punch to contrast the lyrics.
If you had to describe your sound, how would you do so? Furthermore, what artists (or other sources) do you cite as influences?
One thing is for sure, I still feel quite young as a composer and my sound is still developing. But I feel it’s Folk-pop sometimes folk-pop/rock. On this first mini album “Free” I wanted to stay close to the origin of the songs and keep it quite acoustic. There’s an urban / modern feel to it but I mostly find it important to sound authentic.
I’ve listened to a wide range of artists. Really from Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Prince, to the pop of today’s music world, Jack Johnson or Justin Bieber’s late work for example.
What inspired the video and what ideas did you have for it? Is there a message that you hope it delivers?
The current pandemic made it challenging to shoot the music video but I was lucky and found the location through someone in my entourage. We had to simplify the main idea; the weather wasn’t helping at all, their was hardly any natural light and we could use the space only for one day.
The basic idea was creating some sort of situation with me and that couch, which is also connected to being in lockdown. We actually had to deviate to “the performance” part and decided to go for a more friendly, cosy atmosphere. From there on we let it all flow, put our ideas into action and see what worked and what didn’t. The rest is the magic of creativity, a time limit and little or no budget for this one.
What have been career highlights so far? And what is on your bucket list that you’d want to achieve?
Oh! There so many things I still have to achieve. Being part of Disney’s Cheetah Girl 2 movie was definitely a great experience and highlight in my career. My time as a dancer for Cedar Lake Ballet in New York was awesome. I left the company to play the lead in the biggest musical (Dracula) of the year in Paris, France. My career really lifted up during this project, through interviews, tv shows, and the show itself.
Last year I organised the first concert to present my album. A beautiful moment in the crypt of a church at the Per Lachaise, amazing acoustics, lighting and ambiance. I will never forget it.
My bucket is large but to name just a few things. I’d love to play an important character in a large film production, maybe a bad guy in stead of the romantic one for once. At the moment I’m actually writing a short film and it would be amazing to find a way to produce it and get it out there. I could keep going, create a full show, who knows maybe some sort of dance spectacle. Direct a movie.

If you could be the main support for any living artist, who would that be for and why? Alternatively, what would be your dream live booking?
As I’m based in Paris I’d say that the Olympia would be amazing, as well as the Paradiso in my hometown Amsterdam. But Madison Square Garden is most impressive and if one day I could do a concert there that’d be a dream come true.
I’m quite old school on many levels, first artist that’s pops into my mind is Prince. Such an amazing musician songwriter voice I mean what’s not to like.
What artists have you been listening to? Additionally, who should others be listening to?
I’ve recently discovered the “Black Pumas” and their song ‘Colors‘. So beautiful, without trying too hard and a real groove in the music. It sounds authentic, I love it. So if you haven’t yet go check them out.
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