2017

So this must be my last blog of 2017 already...! A few last words then about what I've been doing those 12 months.
Guess you have witnessed the silence on this blog lately ("Vanished" remember?), but that will change in 2018 with the release of my new album, that's now almost finished. All the music has been recorded. I have just a few lyrics to complete that will take it to the final mixing and mastering stage. Excited times ahead......

Back to 2017 then.

Vanished in Sicily

- How to vanish...a bit of a relaxation will do. Really enjoyed Sicily (heart of the old maffia monopoly, but with a beautiful  greek scenery), a welcome and much needed vacation to recharch the batteries.


- Happily released another bunch of songs last may. Worked hard on those, but the pleasure and pain was all mine. What? You didn't hear Sagitario ?

Yeah that's the one

Nice reviews and more airplays followed. Also nice to know that a lot of my songs have been used as a license and heard in more instore- video projects. And I don't even have to sell myself or make compromises! No pressure, so it's great to be an organic musician on the digital highway!
By the way, the next one will arrive....in 2018.

Music I've heard in 2017:

- In between these recording sessions I've listened to a lots of tunes again, like the unavoidable, but loveable reissues of David Bowie, Queen, Doors, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and quite a few new releases, some I like but in a "nothing really stands out" way (1,2,3):

1.Not bad, Ok..
Roger Waters (still angry, but too much "deja vu" Animals), Curtis Harding (good atmosphere, but totally retro pastiche), Michael McDonald (too heavy, too serious), Leon Russell (post R.I.P., nice arrangements, but too overblown), Neil Finn (organic production, but too lowkey), Stephen Stills & Judy Collins (organic feel, a few nice melodies, but Stills' voice is shot), Bruce Cockburn (intense), Gizmodrome (Copeland dominates, sometimes funny, but his irritating busy drumming spoils it), Todd Rundgren (return to songwriting, but predictable melodies) Santana & The Isley Brothers (Carlos is too much the guest here), Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie (better call it Fleetwood Mac without Nicks, what's the-sigh-point?).

2.Really?
Some artists I've admired for (quite) a while and some dissapoint for much too long now:
Beck (what the heck..? reminds me of Bowie goes commercial), Bjork (dork, irritating), Neil Young (songs mediocre again, where is the production?), Robert Plant (vaguelly annoying), Hue & Cry (simply boring).

3.Yes!
So what is it that ticks? Groovy, intense, but also melodic, focused, selfreflecting, funny stuff that wiggles my toes.
These albums did that trick this year:

Thundercat - Drunk (hilarious, funky, smooth, funny)

Jamiroquai - Automaton (infectious melodies, funky disco retro circa 1978-1980)

David Crosby - Sky Trails (sophisticated, jazzy, intense, Steely Dan)

Dean Friedman - 12 Songs (SONGwriter, funny, lyrics, eclectic)

Randy Newman - Dark Matter (hilarious, sardonic, funny)

Benjamin Clementine - I Tell A Fly (daring, beautiful, piano, quirky)

Nate Smith- Kinfolk Postcards From Everywhere (organic, soulful jazz)

Books I've read in 2017:

Art Garfunkel- What Is It All But Luminous
Amy C Beal- Carla Bley
Michael Nesmith- Infinite Tuesday An Autobiographical Riff
Jimmy Webb- The Cake And The Rain
John Fogerty - Fortunate Son; My Life, My Music
Michele Kort- Laura Nyro Soul Picnic The Music and Passion
Howard Kaylan- Shell Shocked My Life with the Turtles  Flo and Eddie and Frank Zappa
Phil Collins- Not Dead Yet
Dylan Jones- Mr Mojo Jim Morrison
Maurice White- My Life with EWF
William Shatner- Leonard
Grace Slick- Somebody to Love__ A Rock-And-Roll Memoir
Carol Ann Harris- Storms My Life with Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac

Best Movies of 2017:

Get Out
Baby Driver

That's a dutch review for ya!

Another nice review from Music World (source: https://goo.gl/gy84HQ)
Auteur: Fred Pach

"Ongeveer een jaar na zijn vorige album Open My Parachute bracht de Nederlandse multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Joos TVD (alias van Joost van Dinther, met als muzikale bijnaam Joost The Vanished Dutchman) een nieuw album uit, getiteld Sagitario. En ook dit keer stelt hij de luisteraar niet teleur. Wederom een aangename, dansbare mix van r&b, funk, pop en cabaret en een jazzy sausje, waarmee een aantal nummers wordt opgekleurd, is hoorbaar.
In het eerste nummer Private Scene zingt Joos TVD op grappige wijze dat het toilet onderhand de enige plek is waar men tegenwoordig alleen kan zijn. In andere liedjes komen onder andere aan de orde hectische vriendinnen en het leven van de rijken in Hollywood. Rode draad in de liedjes zijn de humorvolle teksten en de grote afwisseling tussen de twaalf nummers was voor mij evenals op zijn vorige album ook een aangename ervaring.
Het is opnieuw nauwelijks voor te stellen dat we hier te maken hebben met een puur soloproject. Van Dinther bespeelt alle instrumenten en schreef alle liedjes zelf. Zijn muzikale projecten zijn dan ook uniek. Dat het album je het gevoel geeft naar een voltallige band te luisteren, komt mede doordat hij gebruik maakt van ‘drum samples’ met als prettig gevolg dat de organische waarde van het album op peil blijft. Sagitario is wederom een geslaagd muziekproject van JoosTVD".

English: About a year after his last album Open My Parachute brought the Dutch multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter Joos TVD (aka Joost van Dinther, with musical nicknamed The Vanished Dutchman Joost) a new album, entitled Sagitario. And once again he does not disappoint the listener. Again a pleasant mix of danceable R & B, funk, pop and cabaret and a jazzy flavor, which some songs are tinted, is audible.
In the first issue Private Scene Joos TVD sings funny way that the toilet by now the only place where one can nowadays only. In other songs will include raised frantic friends and the life of the rich in Hollywood. Theme in the songs are humorous texts and the large variation between the twelve songs for me as well as his previous album a pleasant experience.
Again, it is hard to imagine that we are dealing with a purely solo project. Van Dinther plays all the instruments and wrote all the songs himself. His musical projects are therefore unique. The album you hear makes you feel a whole band, is partly because he uses 'drum samples' with the pleasant result that the organic value of the album is maintained.
Sagitario is another successful music project from JoosTVD.

The story behind the songs

Every year, a new TVD album appears online. It makes me wonder how? It's like nature's cycle man. Groovy. It comes and it goes. The Vanished Dutchman comes back.

The title "Sagitario"
Well, it's a nice spanish word for the zodiac sign Sagittarius, which is used so many times already in the age of aquarius sixties. Just too pretentious to use.
SaGITARio...

Well and it is my sign. Let's find more about that:
(original source astrology-zodiac signs:)
"Strengths: Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor
Weaknesses: Promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic
Sagittarius likes: Freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors
Sagittarius dislikes: Clingy people, being constrained, off-the-wall theories, details
Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is one of the biggest travelers among all zodiac signs. Their open mind and philosophical view motivates them to wander around the world in search of the meaning of life.
Sagittarius is extrovert, optimistic and enthusiastic, and likes changes. Sagittarius-born are able to transform their thoughts into concrete actions and they will do anything to achieve their goals.
Like the other fire signs, Sagittarius needs to be constantly in touch with the world to experience as much as possible. The ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter, the largest planet of the zodiac. Their enthusiasm has no bounds, and therefore people born under the Sagittarius sign possess a great sense of humor and an intense curiosity.
Freedom is their greatest treasure, because only then they can freely travel and explore different cultures and philosophies. Because of their honesty, Sagittarius-born are often impatient and tactless when they need to say or do something, so it's important to learn to express themselves in a tolerant and socially acceptable way."

Do I believe in this concept? Well I don't think that it matters, it's still fascinating and colourful anyway as I do recognise a few sly streaks.

The process:
1979: I wrote my first lyrics during english classes, but I wanted more. Next to being active as a drummer, I wanted to write my own songs. My then- royal girlfriend sold me her cheap guitar. Cheap didn't matter: the songs dripped from my fingers. I "ate" all the chord progessions I could find (from the Beatles chordbook). I pressed record on any old taperecorder and played...and recorded. Up to often three cassettes a year. From 1998 on I burned cd's. And from 2005 I do it the digital way.
Since then I never looked back, only just a once.
Now I've got better equipment, more flexible tools to work with, better guitars and chops. About time I've grown up!
Still, it amazes me how I can keep it up (!?)

Are you ready for some upbeat songs? Turn them up! Feed me back!

Private Scene
The toilet is my only private scene. To have some real fun, why not start off with an upbeat song? This joyous song hit me, so I hit back. Five minutes of blood, sweat and cheers. While it took little time to write, but arrangment-wise it was an adventure in rhythm patterns and melodies. To my surprise , lyrically it's sort of a sequel to "Unscrew Yourself". Topic: privacy.
Promo video

Happy Pills
Dancable and uplifting ditty, a spontanious funky guitar motive seems to make "fastwriting" almost a sport. Recorded on the spot. F-U-N. Topic: no pills needed.
Promo video

Chameleon Girlfriend
This last, unexpected smooth one is my favourite. Almost did it in a minute. Topic: inspired by a story from the NY times and a few chameleons in my social environment. O, how they adapt.
Hey, there's a little J.J.Cale influence there in the voice.

Speed Turtle
Funny breaks, funny harmonies. Topic: Wake up call. True story. Policeman stopped my car at 4 a.m., because I was driving....too slow, like a turtle. I was listening out loud to the latest mastering of these songs and I guess I forgot to drive fast! Ouch!

Blink
Energentic burst on the piano stirred my blood. Topic: Silicon Valley; what does it to people in general... and are we really human anyway anymore? It brought up a lot of energetic stuff musically and irony. You see, everything can be an inspiration. Listen to that baseline intertwined with that piano motive. Groove.

Roll Into A Ball
Seventies soulful jazzfeel on the Fender Rhodes. I love a shuffle halftime, hanging into a slow groove. Topic: esapism. Artist wants to hide, rolls into a ball. Ken ditches Barbie.

Convenient
Grew up in seventies where black influenced white music a lot: Blue-eyed Soul it was called. Crossover it became. Here's my smooth version of it.

Surprise!
Older song I couldn't finish lyrically at first. Surprise! Is it a surprise that Donald became the Prez?. Topic: trumped. "Look in the mirror Donny!" his wife says. No, it's not meant to be a political song. That temperamental latin flavor certainly helps to keep things on the edge.

Blame Me For The Fun
Slapstick time. Topic: I guess you can spot a bit of the goofy Laurel & Hardy theme (I've watched all those movies and sketches again in recent times) in here. Big fan. Laughs. LOL. Tribute.

Now We Are Talking
One of the first songs I wrote for this album. Give me a spanish guitar and the exotixc sounds of Brazil flow through my fingers. Relaxed, but a challenge to sing (bossa-nova) melodically.

Itch
This took a long time to finish, while it started out simple. A lot of ideas (breaks) in one song is a challenge. As I liked all the melodic contrasts and dynamics, it made its way into this album.

Sagitario
An older idea, which has grown on me since. In case anyone has enough of my voice (I'm not surprised), the last one is an instrumental, a melancholic and melodic one in latin fashion. It started out as a vocal piece, which I think still has potential too, so who knows...

That's my story so far...what's yours?
Keep on rocking!

Well that's it, I'm gonna vanish again...

Wunderschön!

Hai folks, It's a cold spring so far, but that doesn't bother me at all. As long as the sun comes up......and if there's any music that will cure your spring fatigue...
The new stuff has been listened to and played on various radio and to round it off it has been reviewed. I hope more will follow, but there so much going on in musicland, so I have to be happy by whatever that's been giving me. Feedback.
Well here are some really nice words again (his eight review of my albums) from Nathan Norgel, placed in this german, cultural online magazine Wasser-Prawda 

In german:
Wenn der Frühling kommt, dann erscheinen nicht nur die Schwalben aus dem Süden. Auch neue Musik des Niederländers Joost van Dinther aka Joos TVD darf man erwarten. Sein neues Album Sagitario erfüllt die Erwartungen aufs Schönste.
Auf den Listen der Orte, die besungen werden, taucht einer eigentlich zu selten auf. In "Private Scene" singt JoosTVD das Lob der Toilette. Denn das ist einer der wenigen Plätze, wo man noch wirklich allein sein kann. Auch Psychopharmaka, hektische Freundinnen, das Leben der Reichen in Hollowood oder andere Themen der Gegenwart liefern dem Niederländer Stoff für äußerst humorvolle oder sarkastische Lieder.
Musikalisch bietet Sagitario wieder die komplette Bandbreite zwischen Jazz, Funk, Rock, Cabaret und Nonsense. Wer JoosTVD bislang noch nicht kennen sollte: man kann ihn wirklich nicht klassifizieren. Was der Songwriter und Multiinstrumentalist Jahr für Jahr allein in seinem Studio zusammenrührt, ist eine Kur gegen jegliche schlechte Laune oder Frühjahrsmüdigkeit.

In english (not great these translations):
When spring comes, not only the swallows appear from the south. Also new music from the Dutch Joost van Dinther aka Joos TVD can be expected. His new album Sagitario fulfills the expectations most beautifully. On the lists of the places, which are sung, one appears actually too rarely. In 'Private Scene' JoosTVD sings the praise of the toilet. Because this is one of the few places where you can be really alone. Even psychopharmaceuticals, hectic friends, the lives of the rich in Hollowood, or other contemporary subjects provide the Dutch fabric for extremely humorous or sarcastic songs.
Musically, Sagitario again offers the complete range of jazz, funk, rock, cabaret and nonsense. If you do not know JoosTVD yet you can not really classify it. The fact that the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, alone in his studio year after year, is a cure against any bad mood or spring fatigue.

Ready for the download

Yes It's ready! For a few words I've got a few downloadcodes left for ya....from Bandcamp.

I just came home from the dentist....(promo 2)

To celebrate the new release "Sagitario"
(13 april 2017!)
I've got another promo for ya
with lyrics:

 
                          

                   Private Scene (music & lyrics JoostVD)

I just came home from the dentist
He drilled so many holes in my teeth
I couldn't talk to anyone I couldn't stand the heat
So I went to the only room for some well deserved privacy

I go to the toilet that's my only scene
I go to the toilet you can keep me under lock and key
So if you have a problem don't come to me
Just go to the toilet for your selfreflecting needs

Despite bad weather important matters and public inquiries
In the end we all have to wipe our asses and clean up our filfthy deeds

Oehoe I've got a premonition
Coming up

So if you want a riot go to the toilet
You can be a pilot with a private seat

Tou can talk to anyone but there's no guarantee
The toilet is the only healer for your maladies

Oehoe I've got a premonition
Coming up

O my god....I forgot something
....mmm toilet paper

Link up!

Busy working out details on Bandcamp and here's a soundcloud link with a download option of

Happy Pills. Keep a close watch on the release of a another video and the whole album. CU!

Happy Pills....Promo

Not that happy? Play this "Happy Pill" and you're happy happy.

A new song for anyone who likes to share a new song with anyone.

From the new 2017 album "Sagitario"

12 arrows included, ready for a kill!

 Happy Pills

So you've finally found a corner

Where the funky moon is shining bright

The happy pill is inside

Sometimes you need the wrong thing to feel allright

Suddenly you feel a hand upon your shoulder

A voice said: "I need a fix my friend"

Here's a happy pill again

Sometimes it's allright to do the wrong thing

Put the nasty bits under the rug and sing

Nanananananah

We're all so very happy with a happy pill

Sometimes when you wake up in the morning

The mirror shows a beggar not a king

What happy pills can bring

Sometimes it takes all night to slipp them in

wowowowowowow

Put the nasty bits under the rug and sing

Nanananananah

We're all so very happy with a happy pill

(Lyrics and music JoostVD)

Show us your new work!

Voila!
It has just been confirmed that the album is in the distribution process. It takes approximately 4 weeks to appear online, but keep a close watch, some online services are very quick. now i'm gonna take a breeeeeaaak.
 

Proof! Distribution date confirmed

No pressure. Fingers crossed, legs spread. In the meantime I'll keep you updated if there's any change and as I'm working on some visuals, that tasty promo is on its way too. So now you know.
Now let's see where you have to look at this year and the rest of your life.


The artwork.

The original "selfie" pictures have been chosen from some amateurish mobile phone footage, filmed in the bathroom by yours truly. No. 3 became my ultimate frontcover as I liked the welcome sign in my sort of "I invite you all" atitude and the mirrored spotlight above the "starstrucked" me.

1.Here

2.Here!

 3.Here....

Here's the original for the back cover with mirror reflection:

Spotlights!

On the net you can find all kind of photo design editors.
I especially liked the paint department from Lunapic. All kind of echoes of Van Gogh and Kadinsky art that fitted well. Here are a few choices, eyes open or eyes closed:

Close my eyes...

(Starry starry night......) Sagitario!

The title. 

I know it's a bit pretentious...to say Sagittarius, so it became

                                                       Sagitario

It's spanish- which sounds so cool- for  (english), boogschutter (dutch). It happens to be my sign. I guess you'll hear a few characteristics of those on the new album. Playful sounding and with the extra bonus of the word siguitario in it. I'll explain in a later blog all bout it.

The final result (or insult).

Well, we've got that title, the art, so here's the design. I was switching between black or white for the background, both choices eventually made it.

Final frontcover result

for disribution purposes only (only one name prohibited)

We've got the frontcover, for the backcover I've chosen the same design but as a whole in contrast.

A few choices

Kadinskish smile

A white background with all the information you need. Now, what does it sound like? Soon...

Final backcover result with songtitles and credits

Next: promo video/song

When it goes viral

Quick update: I'm ready for another distribution of my new album. ExciteD! Let you know when and you'll let me know when it goes viral...
Here's an old fave to get in the mood: What Bomb? Story of a failed terrorist.
Featured on Tom Robinson's Saturday Show, his BBC6 mixtape and featured as a Fresh fave goo.gl/EC45PS

Bomb Won't Go Off 

Something's cooking!

Hey folks of the good earth! While the snow has covered most of the lowlands here, I've got a few snowballs to throw at ya.
The songs are continiously reviewed by yours truly. Listening sessions on every device I can get my hands on. From crappy monitors of my daughter's pc, the car stereo while trying to drive slowly (failing) or listening to my own comfortable studio sound, it's quite a difficult task to tweak the most- and best sound- out of the ordinary. Warning! I have to keep my ears fresh to notice all the tiny details as I have watched a few audio professionals at work in their own playrooms. Learned so much from these guys, great to have their support. I'm a musician first, just willing to go all the way...by himself..

The Vanished Dutchman 2017

As I've said before, there will be 12 songs. I'm really excited now as I've seen them grow and evolve everyday. All the changes in arrangements that have been coming up....! Typical JoosTVD: groovy popsongs all spiced up with a latinesque, jazzy, rhythm & bluesy sauce.

I guess I'm more at peace and pleased with myself  as before (I know better what to do and what not to now!) as I'm much more confident in my playing and singing and that is saying much.
And then... there are the leftovers. Well they will certainly have a place on the next albums.

Next to the technical side, there's always something needed to stir the curious eyes, like a promo video, artwork. Well those are in the pipeline too. I've been working my ass off.
I also know the title of the album (it's spanish for...) which I will tell in the near future when I'll show you the finished front and backcover cover. These and the promo have their origins in a homevideo shot with my mobile phone. This is the low-budget way as usual.

I'm aiming for a release for april 2017. Soon, soon.

Next: show us the covers and what is it called?

Can't decide

... O yes we can!

Well, it's that time of the year. It's getting colder and colder and I'm getting older and bolder, haha.
I've got 12 songs getting in great shape. I'm having fun. Detailed mixing is now in process. Progressing bit by bit. Great! It's not my most favourite part of the whole cycle of writing, recording songs, but hey:

Let's see....

I've started it, so I've got to finish it.                             

What's the problem then, lowland dude?

It's just that new songs keep crawling out of my brains and fingers and that's ok, but I also want the best songs on this album. It's not a question of more or less songs. Those 12 have to fit together as a whole and now I feel that something is not really gelling. Some variety in style and themes are needed towards the end of the album maybe, which songs are more serious lyrically and harder/ darker in tone. Maybe that's more like it...well let's see. Is it the sequence then?
There's already a lot of energy and dynamics throughout, so now I've got this new tune, very smooth and relaxed, but still funkish jazz without the cheese. Just before my uptight eyes it's soothing me like a mushroom. Maybe that's the one.

Aha, there it is...

Of course, as an experienced listener, I know and you know, that the first songs often can make or break an album. How many times have you stopped listening after 3 or 4 songs already? Well I have. Skipping. Otherwise it also has happened that I could not stop listening to the same album over and over, peeling off layers of sound and ideas.
So the flow of the songs is very important to make a lasting impression to the listener. That's why I still like the challenge of the album concept as one continuous stimulans of surprises.

What do you think?

I'll keep you (you keep me) updated.