Local Rockstars archive
Local Rockstars: Molino’s escape from Elsewhere
When I first met Oliver Emmitt (trombone, vocals, lyrics) and Linus Kleinlosen (saxes and composition) from Molino, I was curious about this brass band so I asked them about their style. “Nobody knows what to call us. We never met any band that makes this kind of experimental pop music (..more)
Local Rockstars: Bas Dobbelaer’s atmospheric sound
His dad’s into electronic music, so Bas Dobbelaer grew up hearing Sandrien and John Digweed. He and his brother always competed by wanting to find the coolest track. It was Bas’ dad who took him to his first techno party when he was only 17 years old. Nuno Dos Santos and Patrice Bäumel were playing in Paradiso and he even called beforehand to make sure his underage son would get inside. This is the moment Bas knew that this was it. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Steffen Morrison wants to make you sweat
Steffen Morrison is one of those artists who takes your breath away whenever they start singing. His voice drips soul and has a vibrato and warm rawness that reminds me of Otis Redding, Seal or John Legend. The fact that he’s Dutch makes me a little proud, because his voice is timeless and it sounds as if he’s an old soul. He keeps the ‘old sounds’ alive with a new twist that’ll seduce music connoisseurs like me and you. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Amber Gomaa is going solo
Amber Gomaa worked with Alain Clark and she is the backing vocalist and keyboardist of Jett Rebel. Amber sang, wrote and produced (with Jett Rebel as co-producer) her first solo EP Sun Gazing herself on Jett Rebel’s label Baby Tiger Records. She hates being stuck in a comfort zone so she tried to surprise people with her music. Her second video clip, Girlfriend, got released yesterday so we caught up with this classy lady for a chat. (..more)
Local Rockstars: De Sluwe Vos gives his take on the future of clubbing
ADE 2015 is in full swing, and Red Bull Playrooms is bringing the past, present and future of club culture together. Aggressive kicks, resonating strings and hi-hats that cut through your eardrums are the main characteristics of De Sluwe Vos’ sound. His highly energetic style, which already brought him to places like Sziget, FORMAT and Studio 80, makes us curious about his views on the matter. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Prunk talks clubbing history and future
Red Bull Playrooms is a tribute to the influential Dutch club culture. During our favorite week of the year, the Amsterdam Dance Event, Red Bull Playrooms brings the past, present and future of club culture together in a secret location. They asked Prunk about one moment in dance history where he would have liked to be present, and about the future of club culture in 2040. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Reza Athar’s dark club music with a sunny aftertaste
I took Reza his interview virginity two years ago and talked to him about his party Horizon, I could tell that this guy was going places immediately. His taste in music is impressive and he’s a true selector. Things went fast indeed. A party at Radion, a gig in Trouw, varies podcasts later and with his first allnighter coming up I felt it was time to have a chat again. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Dream away with Anouk Visée
I have to admit, the first promise is a good one: not another singer/songwriter, again. Indeed, Anouk Viseé is anything but your standard musician. Quirky and witty in personality, which translates into some pretty good songwriting. Next Saturday she´ll release her first EP. (..more)
Local Rockstars: El Mundo will never stop learning
When Pim van der Burgt (El Mundo), and I met and start talking about Max Cooper’s live performance and artists that try to challenge themselves (such as Henrik Schwarz who has so many intriguing projects) for 15 minutes before we even officially start the interview I know that this is going to be a good conversation. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Kid Sublime owns more video tapes than records
Kid Sublime is definitely one of Amsterdam’s house music pioneers. A small part of his background: he worked behind the counter of the legendary Fat Beats record store and toured the world with Brazilian band Zuco 103. Kid’s producing, just started his own radio show and this Sunday he’s throwing the first edition of his party in Studio 80. I had a little chat with him at 15:00 and luckily we found out we both just woke up. (..more)
Local Rockstars: What’s cooking for Detroit Swindle in 2015?
Chances are big that if you’re into house, in the broadest sense of the genre, you’ve danced on Detoit Swindle’s music before. I know I have many times and I will recommend it to anyone who asks. When I had a little chat and some fresh mint tea with too much honey with Lars Dales and Maarten I discovered that apart from having a impressive taste in music, they are really fun as well. (..more)
Local Rockstars: Henk Petter’s morgen.am and tomorrow’s music
The ADE violence is full on: time to get to know our local heroes. Speaking of which, I can’t go around Henk Petter, foreman of morgen.am. The magic usually happens in the morning, which exemplifies exactly what these men are all about: hard working artists that will take their music to another level, while the sun already sets into yet another morning. (..more)