A Few Verifications About My Name

A few verifications

“Euh, what is it what you do?”
I write… songs. Melodies and grooves. Popmusic with latinbluesfunkgrooveR&Brockjazzhumor. I don’t follow the trends. Just keep an eye on them.

“Euh, why that unpronouncable name?”  
I’m not an artist, I’m a musician, that’s why I’m not using a flashy sounding  name. It’s my aversion against the so-called predictable, prefabbed artists I’ve had to hear through the years. Besides, the horror when bandmembers try to figure out bandnames…

“Come on now, gimme a pronounciation!”
Juiced; Joos-TVD.

Singer & player

“The Vanished Dutchman?” I’m dutch and I vanish most of the time…..come back once a year.

“Recording Musician?”
Although I like performing/ entertaining and I did play in a few bands (between 1980-1995), more and more I became aware of my real strengths: songwriting and shape a song into a complete version as I hear it in my head. It’s “hard” work though. Talent is not enough. You can’t push it, it will “push” you! It’s in the back of my head all the time. 24/7. Don’t worry, I do sleep and I like to vanish from time to time.

“Examples?”
I’m like that sponche(joost). I’ve been discovering and collecting all kinds of stuff. Sometimes I didn’t eat, just to have new music was enough to survive. I’ve been touched by great talents (and to me the real artists) like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weil, Leiber & Stoller, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach, Gino Vannelli, Paul & John (beatles), Todd Rundgren and……aah too many.

“DIY?”
I don’t see myself as an excellent player that has to perform to show his chops. I do play and figure out songs of other composers once in a while, for educational purposes only. I have learned to play a few instruments (started out as that muppet Animal drummer), just enough to make records! I’m not a professional sound engineer, but I’ve learned along the way. Do It Yourself. That’s my kick. To put my own creations on “tape”. Play and push record. I already started recording my own songs around 1980…playing (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals). Learned a whole lot about self-reflection in the meantime. Produced around 43 cassettes (remember it was the analog age!) of work in progress.
Now it’s (vinyl) all comming back, hip again.
Stay in touch: The Vanished Facebook

Lyrics are little bastards

Hai there autumn people!

No, I haven't forget you, I just kept myself busy with the works. I've got 8 completed songs in the can, all more or less ready for the mixdown. I've payed a lot of attention to my vocals, especially the nuances, the precise pronunciation of the vowels. And harmonising. Well, we've got autotune for that? I only use it for effect. Very little. Jacob Collier does a great thing with autotune harmonising, but in the end it's all just a trick. Keep it real boy, your voice is great on itself.
So many different choices to make with all different styles of music. And always the love for funky tracks with a latin vibe got me in an intense mood. As I know my capabilities more, I'm having a lot of fun with singing now. I sweat like a pig sometimes, but that's just a bold expression for the way I work. Intensity. Ok, it was a hot summer.
Ah, yes. Those magic words that fit the melody. Always a challenge to find them. Sometimes they just fall out from my mouth like easy snow. It's a hard and underestimated work though, just look at the picture:

My latest, yet unfinished lyric. Mark the crossed-out words

Where (?) do they (?) all come from?
I've read in one of Todd Rundgren's biographies, that he mostly come up with the words, sing all the harmonies and record them just.at the last moment. I guess a little self imposed pressure has helped me out a lot, but when your mindset is not there, better let the flow come back to you another fresh time.
I use a bit of Todd and David Byrne's method he first used at the "Remain In Light" sessions. He often sings nonsense vowels (oo, aa eee, oe, hiii) at first in a spontanious way and writes lyrics on those vowels.
Reminds me of the action painting of Pollock where you just let it all out, dripping paint from your hands. In blues, when one is singing, it's common to just let it out, even repeat the sentence just to understate or confirm an emotion. It's only natural. Bluespower.

For Your Pleasure Vol.3

The summer fever is blowing my top!

Update.
Inbetween regular albums I also keep myself busy with compiling instrumental stuff from the past.
The goal is to reach out to all of those multi-media projects that are flowing around, waiting for a soundbit to cheer them up.
It has become some kind of a tradtion, hence the addition of volume 3 in the title, which was originally inspired by my favourite album by Roxy Music.
For me an opportunity to rework/ revisit old ideas, some with, some without vocals. Some I only had to remaster. This time I even went back as far as the year 2000. Both "Master Of Mystery" and "Blackout" are from the never before released (online that is) "Thanks For Stopping By" album of that year, so these are the original versions with only a finishing remaster touch. Some have never been released instrumentals that originally were planned for vocal versions (recorded between 2002-2009), like "Funk Da Junk", "Low On Da Flow" and "Sniff Da Riff", a threesome locked together by the word "Da".
Really relaxing fun for me to do something different productionwise, because at the same time I can recharge my batteries for the new stuff, that need to breath, need nursing and motivation to finish them (off). I'm in the "I need lyrics" phase now.

Snippets of the regular, official albums

By the way, I have tons of recordings waiting for a place on the web, also more newer stuff for the next volume 4, 5, 6 amd what the heck, 7, 8, 9....

These instrumental albums I only share on Jamendo, where various stuff has already been picked up by a few videomakers for their projects.

So, what does it sound like?

Well search for tags like:
trippy, groovy, sexy, funky, orchestral, busy, cool, mellow, intense, cinematic, funny, carnavalesque, dreamy, smooth, dancable, freaky, fast, hyper, hypnotic, circuslike, latinesque, melodic, fustrating.......

So there they are:

                                                                      For Your Pleasure Vol.3

                                                                       For Your Pleasure Vol.2

                                                                         For Your Pleasure Vol.1

Vanish, You Dutchman!

Hai there folks on the world wide web, how you're all doing? It's been a while and that feels good. That last TVD album sure did stir a few ears, so I'm really enjoying the afterglow.
Well, you have to dissapear once in a while, don't you? Vanish you dutchman!
Take a deep breath of fresh air. The summer breeze helps to relax, it sure feels good.


But I'm a restless soul....

I've got an instrumental album in the can (For Your Pleasure Vol.3. Not sure when it will be finished, but I've got more than enough to fill more than  one album.

Yes this is the first one...

.... and here's the second one

To take the time off of the whole process of songwriting, playing, recording and all the the usual bullshit and excitement of finishing an album, I usually start all over again....uhh don't help me... yes... addiction no.1.
To take my time off, I take my time off.




Of course I sleep...eat...sit down, talk with the wife, enjoying daily life with the kids (they grow up so fast!). For the needed stimulation of writing songs, especially lyrics, I watch Hollywoodfree european, eastern movies and follow TV series

F?ck

(for example Mr.Robot, The Walking Dead, Fargo, House Of Cards), I read biographies about...Nilsson. It's all about fun and excitement to get in the right frame of mind. To vanish gracefully.

For aspiring songwriters especially

Not a day goes by without touching a few strings or hitting some black or white keys. I often (try to) play songs of the famous american songbook (Nat king cole, Gershwin, Porter) next to the usual pop standard fare. Educational. There's the constant stream of possible ideas floating in and out, so I've got about 10 contenders (recorded, arranged) for the new album. There will be more. One is instrumental and two have already vocals. The rest needs lyrics. That's the tricky part that sometimes needs more room to grow to find the right words. I need the distance for reflection. When I've got the melody I usually start singing spontanuously, expressing blablanana nonsense vowels, that often help to find the fitting words.

And so it goes. CU!

Chalky, Chalky, Chalky!

Never thought it would happen, so I totally missed the show last night. Never say never!
A 3-hour prime time show (between 9-12 hours pm) hosted by Tom Robinson. Next to the well-known artisrs/bands, he always plays a few gems from his BBC6 Mixtape too. Lucky me!

Chalky on Tom Robinson's Saturday Show

Chalky on BBC6 Mixtape

Handpicked by the one and only Tom Robinson (2-4-6-8 Motorway), one hour of fresh new songs on his mixtape. Airtime 12 june, 02.00 A.M. (english teatime).

The competition is very fierce each week, so choosing favourites out of 170 tracks must be earbleeding for a radio dj!
The more so a rare treat to be on BBC radio of course. And in the next few weeks, Chalky has a chance to be played again on Tom's Saturday Show. The third song in succession now, after "Bomb Won't Go Off" and "Stupid Song's". Thanks Tom!

Listen/ download Podcast HERE
You can find all the stories/ artists HERE

Always welcome: raving reviews

Yes, that's right. Fred Pach wrote this nice, dutch review of my latest songs on Muziekwereld. Glad he did. Let the summer begin!

English; "The album Open Up My Parachute of the Dutch multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter JoosTVD (aka Joost van Dinther, with musical nickname Joost The Vanished Dutchman)) is a notable release because on the one hand a very successful one-man project and by the varied musical character, a mix of r & B, funk, pop and Latin, often still covered with a jazzy twist.We can talk right here from a solo project, as Van Dinther is not only responsible for the lyrics and lyrics, recording, mixing and mastering, but also take all the vocals, guitar and bass, keyboards and percussion for his account in his own studio ! All this leads to a pleasant mix of twelve alternating frequently 'danceable' tracks. This jump for me personally the songs Dancing Dutchman, It's A Struggle Honey and Ha Veda Veda just slightly above the high average level of this album. Open Up My parachute was to my pleasant musical introduction to the work of Joost van Dinther and in my opinion is also a very successful musical project."

Dutch: "Het album Open Up My Parachute van de Nederlandse multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter JoosTVD (alias van Joost van Dinther, met als muzikale bijnaam Joost The Vanished Dutchman)) is een opvallende release vanwege enerzijds een zeer geslaagd eenmansproject en anderzijds door het afwisselend muzikale karakter, een mix van r&b, funk, pop en latin, veelal nog overgoten met een jazzy sausje. We kunnen hier met recht spreken van een soloproject, want Van Dinther is niet alleen verantwoordelijk voor de songteksten en lyrics, opnames, mixing en mastering, maar neemt tevens alle vocalen, gitaar- en baspartijen, keyboards en percussie voor zijn rekening in zijn eigen studio! Dit alles leidt tot een aangename mix van twaalf afwisselende veelal ‘dansbare’ tracks. Hierbij springen wat mij persoonlijk betreft de nummers Dancing Dutchman, It’s A Struggle Honey en Ha Veda Veda nog net iets meer uit boven het gemiddeld hoge niveau van dit album. Open Up My Parachute vormde voor mijn een aangename muzikale kennismaking met het werk van Joost van Dinther en wat mij betreft is dan ook sprake van een zeer geslaagd muzikaal project.."
On Musicmeter
 (original source: Muziekwereld)

Doing the dddutch ddddancing

For those who can remember those high platform soled shoes and wide open blouses (with those flowery chesthair growing out), cool fancy moves of John Travolta: just try to recall how you once moved to all of those infectious grooves. Chic? Ohio Players? Earth, Wind & Fire?
The next song also recalls a few favourite dancefloor fillers. Yes, you'll find out...but first dance.

How did I/ do you do that?

(lyrics/ music: JoosTVD)

Used to dig those disco parties
Freaking dancing on the floor
That backseat hanky panky
Sneaking out backdoors

Still get those chilling fevers
When I play back "Daddy Cool"
And all those desperate leavers
All lined up dancing fools

Now you're gonna show us why you love that dancing floor

You used to go down on it ("that's the way I liked it")
Kooling with the gang ("get down on it")
Well that's the way you liked it (aha aha)
Shake your booty now and then ("shake your body")

DD has been played on:
Croydon radio London  
Dancing Dutchman on Talentcast 

"Illegal" Parachutes, grab them!

Hai there, it's been a while. Just took a break from blogging. Didn't need too. Let the music work its way out...
I've been busy...gathering links of all of those websites that  posted my album without my knowledge.

too obvious when...

4 april it landed. 5 april I googled and there already was a webrip (example) to be found on numerous websites. The source said Googleplay. Others (like those russian forums) followed quick.

Am I angry about this?

For 90% I am not. I am very flattered that someone took the time and effort to upload my songs and to share them, with the purpose to find new listeners. Great flashy designed websites to look at too.
With so much music coming out everyday, if someone spreads that unknown JoosTVD around, the more people I can reach. And every new year brings an increase of links my and your way.
Sure I do a little promotion myself with Soundcloud, Youtube and Reddit. Sharing is caring they say.

The other 10% means ther's still a need to upload someone's work (something I've worked very hard for), while we all have easy access to streaming services, like Spotify (more than 1 billion streams a week). It's still needed to grab it illegally.

This means the old music industry still fails. Who gains the most of payed albums anyway?
What do you think?

Here is all you've been waiting for. Ah, sometimes you need a login. Need a password?
Choose "easy"

A few grabs for the curious:
Link 1 
Link 2 

and so on...Google is your friend. Complaining? Nah, just saying...

That thing about "Open Up My Parachute"

The process of songwriting/ recording/ mixing/ mastering

May 2014 I began writing and  recording the new stuff. Already had a flow of ideas in the bag, so no worries in that department. I've been spending a lot of time mixing and mastering the songs though.  Youtube and other friendly sound engineers helped me out with the technical know how much more further. Yes, I try to learn about every aspect of the process. Next time I hope to do things much more efficient in the recording process.

Inspiration for the title

Every year I try to come up with another appropiate title that epitomise what these songs stand for.
Guess Zappa's quotes brought me the one that connects those 12 songs. 

    

And...I already had a few songs with a "parachute" reference. Your mind only works if one opens it. With songwriting, that seems not that difficult for me. Just jump fearlessly into the free air...just dare.
That introvert face on the frontcover stands for my introvert side and my wife's selfie reflex has captured that right on the spot.

I sort of invite you all to open up my parachute and you'll see/hear...... the songs will jump out of my head.


(next: released a parachute and where did it land?)

                                                                                                                                                          
You've listened already? Here's some information about the 12 parachutes. I think this is my most accessible and dancable record so far, so let's follow our restless feet, while reading. Hope you like.

It's all in the mind

01.Chalky
A burst of  restless energy I tried to put down in a tight fit arranged funk. Started as one of the first new songs for this album, inspired by the dense grooves of 1980's Remain In Light era Talking Heads, but heading (totally?) elsewhere eventually. The working out of the tightness in accents and the finishing of various arrangements took me almost a year, before I was really satisfied. I am now.

02.Dancing Dutchman
A little nostalgic  throwback to my numerous dance moves I left on the dancefloor hearing those seventies soul (Chic, Kool & The Gang, Rose Royce, KC & The Sunshine Band) in those after midnight discotheques. Proud of the melodic chorus and the groove, which convinced me to put on my dancing shoes again.

03.Everything Is A-Okay
Is it okay? Most of the time. With this song I think I've reached a very accessible side of the melodic and the rhythm of exotic coolness with a few instrumental adventures in the middle too.

04.Jump For Your Life
Searching for that parachute that brings joy and playfulness. Just jump and watch what happens. Old fashionated pop and bluesy funk.

05.The Riddle Room
One song idea from the last album sessions that needed more time to develop. Just a funny motive on piano started another riddle in my room.

06.It's A Struggle Honey
Two ideas (one melodic, another rhythm) put together in dreamlike fashion. An old trick: use that mod & pitchwheel on the keyboard. I freaked a lot throughout the album.

07.Hipster Mind
Hipster was the word of 2015 (but it's so old), but the hipness is gone. A piano & guitar motive accent on a pulsing  groove pushed this into a song. Starts off like an voice-over intro to a hip chatty radioshow, but that slow, threatening groove gets in the way.

08.Issues?
The question mark says it all. I connected this funky bassline with a accenting guitarpattern and voila. Just dance the seventies (Gap band, Ohio Players,...) to it.

09.Parachute
A song for superman! Slapstick enters. Silent movies. Finally flying! Goofing off.

10.Cosmopolitan Circus
Instrumental stuff to rest my voice. I liked working on this a lot. It's different. A bit Kurt Weilish. European vaudeville? I recorded piano parts in a few takes. I put a few "hymnlike voicing" plugins on the melodies for the angelic atmosphere. Proud of this.

11.The Slippery Slope
Inspired by the 1965 movie "Mirage" featuring Gregory Peck. I like mystery, so a song developed from there. It begins and it ends more or less the same.

12.Ha Veda Va
Latinesque. That chant doesn't mean a thing, just a few fitting spanish words put together for us to sing: Ha= it has. Veda= farewell. Va= will. Cryptic? Yes maybe, but what does "trolololololo" mean? Hope I don't offend anyone.
Solo on keyboard at the last part, that's me pitching the sound, combining horns, organ and guitar.

That's it folks, my story. Maybe you listen to these songs with other ears now.