"we will be so loud that you can't evade"
While most singer-songwriters pen songs that are intimate canvasses to paint on about their lives, I think that folk artists, for whatever reason, also have a long history of writing songs that are about social issues, songs protesting what is wrong with the world, with governments, with corporations. Songs that exist as reflections, mirrors of society, of what is wrong with ourselves. Dutch alt folk singer-songwriter Roos Meijer, on "In My Name", the lead single from her upcoming debut full length "Why Don't We Give It A Try?", combines falling guitar notes, beautiful but somber vocals on top of percussion and drones of sounds, some ambient. There is a thick air of mystery and even defiance as beats and orchestration take over, informed by the misfortunes of people taking advantage of the 'other' as history is written as propaganda instead of truth.
[The song is inspired by a conversation with Julia Jouwe, an activist for a free West Papua and focuses on the hypocrisy of history books, the optimism of young activists, collective accountability, and the power of picking up the torch that was lit by those who came before. The lyrics reflect on Jouwe’s experience of going to West Papua and recognising the value of her family name (her grandfather, Nicolaas Jouwe, was the Papuan leader for many years before being forced to flee to the Netherlands) and the influence this had on her taking up of her late grandfather’s fight for the freedom of his native people.]
Meijer builds tension behind the mirror. I look forward to hearing more.
[Her debut LP, ‘Why Don’t We Give It A Try?’, is set for release in November 2021 and is inspired by conversations with eight societal change-makers for causes relating to climate, anti-racism, feminism, human rights, orphans, LGBTQ+ youth, and homelessness. Filled with eclectic but integral arrangements, each song creates a fully realized sonic culture within the wider world of the album and, through the unique empathy of Meijer's’ artistic voice, comes from a place of genuine earnestness and societal duty.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
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The sincerity of Roos Meijer’s alt-folk finds a way to the heart of even the most casual listener as she lends her voice to extraordinary but unheard people from around the world. Drawing inspiration from a diversity of genres, including folk, classical, indie-rock, and world music, Roos bridges many rivers of the musical landscape and leads you to new pastures. With an understated but profound sense of detail, in both song and arrangement, her music finds and navigates emotional fine lines that are seldom expressed in popular music.
Roos’ debut LP, ‘Why Don’t We Give It A Try?’, is set for release in November 2021 and is inspired by conversations with eight societal changemakers for causes relating to climate, anti-racism, feminism, human rights, orphans, LGBTQ+ youth, and homelessness. Filled with eclectic but integral arrangements, each song creates a fully realised sonic culture within the wider world of the album and, through the unique empathy of Roos’ artistic voice, comes from a place of genuine earnestness and societal duty.
‘In My Name’, the first single from the album, comes out on June 18th and is inspired by a conversation with Julia Jouwe, an activist for ‘Free West Papua’. The song focuses on the hypocrisy of history books, the optimism of young activists, collective accountability, and the power of picking up the torch that was lit by those who came before.
On November 29th, Roos has the honour of performing a concert alongside the prestigious Residentie Orkest in Den Haag. For the concert, she’ll draw from her full repertoire and play the debut album in full.
Back in 2018, Roos released her debut EP, ‘Maktub’: a work inspired by the people she met while working in refugee camps in Greece. 'Maktub' combines Eastern and Western pop music to provide insight into the experiences of refugees. All profits from the project are donated to Sounds of Change, a Dutch organisation who lead music lessons in refugee camps.
In 2020, Roos released two new singles: 'Made For Loving You' in June, a song inspired by the unconditional love between parents and children that she observed while working in refugee camps, and ‘Calm Me Down’ in November, a stunningly immersive piece of music that takes you into her experience of anxiety.
Roos Meijer, Singer Songwriter, Folk, Acoustic, dark folk, politico folk, The Netherlands, alternative folk, "In My Name", full length LP, "Why Don't We Give It A Try?"
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
spotify
youtube
The sincerity of Roos Meijer’s alt-folk finds a way to the heart of even the most casual listener as she lends her voice to extraordinary but unheard people from around the world. Drawing inspiration from a diversity of genres, including folk, classical, indie-rock, and world music, Roos bridges many rivers of the musical landscape and leads you to new pastures. With an understated but profound sense of detail, in both song and arrangement, her music finds and navigates emotional fine lines that are seldom expressed in popular music.
Roos’ debut LP, ‘Why Don’t We Give It A Try?’, is set for release in November 2021 and is inspired by conversations with eight societal changemakers for causes relating to climate, anti-racism, feminism, human rights, orphans, LGBTQ+ youth, and homelessness. Filled with eclectic but integral arrangements, each song creates a fully realised sonic culture within the wider world of the album and, through the unique empathy of Roos’ artistic voice, comes from a place of genuine earnestness and societal duty.
‘In My Name’, the first single from the album, comes out on June 18th and is inspired by a conversation with Julia Jouwe, an activist for ‘Free West Papua’. The song focuses on the hypocrisy of history books, the optimism of young activists, collective accountability, and the power of picking up the torch that was lit by those who came before.
On November 29th, Roos has the honour of performing a concert alongside the prestigious Residentie Orkest in Den Haag. For the concert, she’ll draw from her full repertoire and play the debut album in full.
Back in 2018, Roos released her debut EP, ‘Maktub’: a work inspired by the people she met while working in refugee camps in Greece. 'Maktub' combines Eastern and Western pop music to provide insight into the experiences of refugees. All profits from the project are donated to Sounds of Change, a Dutch organisation who lead music lessons in refugee camps.
In 2020, Roos released two new singles: 'Made For Loving You' in June, a song inspired by the unconditional love between parents and children that she observed while working in refugee camps, and ‘Calm Me Down’ in November, a stunningly immersive piece of music that takes you into her experience of anxiety.
Roos Meijer, Singer Songwriter, Folk, Acoustic, dark folk, politico folk, The Netherlands, alternative folk, "In My Name", full length LP, "Why Don't We Give It A Try?"
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