Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
It started out with car rides with my dad. He always played all kinds of music, from Stevie Ray Vaughan to B.B. King and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Eventually, I got more and more into music, and this got to the point that I wanted to play guitar at the age of 9.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I started learning guitar when I was 9 years old. The first few years of learning the guitar are always the hardest, but when you have persistence, you can go a long way. When I was around 16, I got a lot better and started going to jam sessions. In the beginning, I always had my back towards the audience because it was still a bit scary and new for me, but eventually, I got more and more used to it. Right now, I still visit a lot of jam sessions in the Netherlands every week. Me and my dad basically have made a standard schedule. When I was seventeen, my dad and I got the idea to make an album when I turned eighteen. Personally, I’m a man of the Blues so, the album is mainly a Blues album with one bonus track which is a bit more pop-inspired. The album is out right now and called “In The Pocket”. This is a reference to playing Pool every week with my dad for 7 years.
What was life like for you before music?
Fine, but I was at that time a bit more into gaming. But eventually, the gaming became a bit more boring so I started giving more and more time to music, and right now, I have entirely stopped gaming.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
I think it was ‘Pride and Joy’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan. I consider that the first song that really got me into the more serious part of guitar, before I was just playing some singing lines on my guitar with some cords, but ‘Pride and Joy’ is the first song that I really knew inside and out, the solo’s the chords and singing with it.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
At the beginning of a professional career waiting for the right moment to come. I consider myself a good guitarist that just doesn’t have the spotlight yet, but I have to keep doing what I’m doing and keep meeting new people.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
That you never stop learning.
Tell us two truths and a lie about you.
I’m over 6.6 feet tall.
I’ll play anything as long as it’s the Blues.
You have to be old and have had a hard life to truly play the Blues. (lie)
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
Be on more podiums with my guitar and maybe get a chance to do a solo, it doesn’t have to be long but just get myself out there and get more recognition.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
Not that much, I think that the people on social media are too sensitive nowadays. People should be able to say what they think. There are some things that it’s normal for people to get cancelled for but right now it’s too easy to be cancelled (the bar is too low). I believe that this will eventually be corrected. But, because my following is still pretty small, I’m not worried about it, but maybe someday I will.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
No, I’m a person that is a more fact based. For me to really believe in things, I do need some proof. If someone gives a great story about a conspiracy theory and someone next to them is telling a different story but it’s fact-based, then I’m going to believe the second person.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Being told that I’m playing too loud.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
Hopefully my guitar skills.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
The fact that I’m 18 years old and at this level of playing the guitar. Some people do get shocked when I tell them that I’m still only 18.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Yes, that’s right. I have my very own blues album out on Spotify and other streaming services. In the album are four songs, three Blues songs and a Pop bonus track called: “Write your own story”. All the songs on the album have something to do with me and my experiences. Scars is about me and my father playing pool for 7 years and I’ve only just recently won. “The Trader” is about my study at school called “international business” Which is basically sales/trading. “Into the Right Groove” is in the same ballpark. “Writing your own story is about being yourself and going your own road in life.
What was the recording process like?
Fun but difficult. It was a really cool experience to dive into the studio with a few people and produce a few songs. I think that we had 3 days in total in the studio. The first day was all about recording the backing for all of the songs. In the other two days, it was up to me to make good solos and record the vocals. The last two days were definitely the hardest for me. Long days trying constantly to keep focused and don’t make mistakes. In the end, I think I could say that I’m happy with the results.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Thinking of things to write about and being able to write an entire song out of it. That was definitely the hardest part.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Yes, I’ve gotten so much better in the time after the recording that it doesn’t resemble the level that I’m on right now with my music. But in a way that is a good thing. It’s something to look back on and it is nice to see the growth I’ve made.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
That Gerbman is coming so, be prepared.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM
MORE RGM INTERVIEWS HERE