Interview: Evelienonline!
Posted on | October 13, 2009 | 1 Comment
After a short, and rather one sided introduction in a previous blogpost, I thought it was only fair to ask both artists mentioned to tell us a bit more about themselves. Today this small part of the web is dedicated to Evelien, and her answers to all my questions.
The basics: please tell me your name/age/place you live, so readers get a general feel of who you are
My name is Evelien van der Meijden. I’m 24 years old, born in Waalwijk (the Netherlands) on March 12, 1985. At the moment I live in Den Bosch, In the middle of the city. I’m active in music for three years now. I never thought I would do something with music when I was young. It started when I was helping out a band called Mo’Jones. I made pictures from concerts, creating a website, that sort of stuff. They had no money to reward me so the singer (Jan van der Burgt) told me if I was interested to take some singing lessons. I thought it was fun, so I agreed. I choose a song (I think it was Sheryl Crow’s cover of “The First Cut Is The Deepest”) recorded it and hand it over to Jan so he could hear my voice. He loved my voice and he told me that I should do something with it. And there it was: My talent was found! I’ve had 5 lessons since that day. I loved singing but only singing felt kind of bored to me. I decided to buy a guitar. If I could learn playing it, I could use it with my voice. Never took any lessons for that part. Just discovered it by my own and there it was… One year later I wrote my first song!
What is the drive behind your music? What is it that makes you write songs?
They are just my thoughts. Things I’ve felt, I’ve seen, I’ve heard. The experience of life.
What can you tell us about the way you write songs? Is it all in one go, or do you write and rewrite?
It’s different. Sometimes I have a little poem in my mind. I write it down and put it away. I use it any time I think I’ll need it. Other times I’ve got that really strong feeling or emotion that I write down my feelings, grab my guitar and finish a song in less that 10 minutes.
How do you handle stage fright? Or don’t you have any?
Yes I do. But when I’m on stage and I played my first song it all fades away.
You’ve played in Holland, Paris and London. Any notable differences in the experiences?
Sure, the people are very different. In Holland the people are listening but there are so many bands out here it’s hard to convince people. If you don’t have a name out here, you have to go a long way to got it. In Paris you’re a sort of wallpaper in a bar. People join, talking with other people, drinking some wine… They know you are there but they don’t really listen to you. In London the people love music. Love to discover it. So they listen to every chord you play, every word you sing. I think I have to go back to see if there are some changes!
On of the things I noticed was the not so aggressive web tactics. Was that a conscious choice?
Well, yes… I’m a music lover. I love to discover new artists that make music I like. I think that if you look hard enough, you will find them. There are many sites to check out. But that’s the fun of discovering music. You’re proud if you find something that you can share with others! (or just put it on your Ipod and listen to it all by yourself!) I have a Myspace account and I’m slowly getting sick of messages from musicians that spam me to listen to their music. Things like: “please listen!” or “come visit our website!”. I don’t want to! I think it has a negative impact on people. I don’t want that. Music is not there to be spammed. It’s there to listen to it and enjoy it without any obstacles.
Do you keep track of the music industry and it’s quirks, or is it not important to you?
I do! But most of the songs listed in the charts are not my style. But listening to the radio is so much fun! If you listen to a dutch radio station or a English one it has so many differences in music!
Do you buy cd’s, or download from online stores? 
I buy cd’s. Some musicians I love are only active in the US so I have to buy them at an online store.
What do you think, as a starting artist, of the whole download dilemma?
I think as a starting artist it’s important that the people get to know your music. If they buy it or download it… I don’t care. Most of the money they get from selling records isn’t going to the artist… You only make real money if you can play out there.
How will you try to actually earn money with your music?
Play as much as I can. I know a few musicians. Maybe I’ll support them. Build up some fan base and then going my own path.
Have you ever been out busking? If so, how was the experience?
I thought about it once. To travel to London. Walking down the bars and pubs. But I never did.
Do you give money to street artists?
I do. If they are good. A month ago there was a kid playing down the street here that played “Le Vie en Rose” is was so pure and delicate… I fell in love with the song!
What are the plans for the future (music wise)?
I don’t know yet. I’m kind of figuring that out at the moment. Maybe I’ll record an album, playing some gigs… Who knows! In a year or so, I’ll have more songs, and I hope I get the opportunity to record my songs in a studio one day.
What is your favorite place to practice?
I love to play on the couch. It’s a big, large one with many pillows on it.
To what song do you like to wake up?
Any Man – Rocco DeLuca. I’m hooked to his music, he really has a gift!
Apart from music, what other sounds move you?
I love the sound of the rain that taps on my window.
Any scoops? :-)
I’m working on a new song at the moment.
I am very happy and proud to have interviewed Evelien! If you have questions for Evelien, or suggestions as to how in the future I should interview musicians, please be so kind as to leave a comment.
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October 13th, 2009 @ 8:19 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Guido . Guido said: Whoohoo! The first interview is published, read all about @evelienonline here: http://bit.ly/bisP8 [...]