Tessa Douwstra, better known as LUWTEN, is an Amsterdam based singer, songwriter and sound artist. Collaborating with Frank Wienk (BINKBEATS) her debut album – simply titled ‘Luwten’ is an arresting exploration of sound and emotion.
She will be taking to the stage with a string of live dates in Europe over the next few months, including the esteemed Eurosonic Nooderslag festival, and will undoubtedly lull audiences into submission with her dreamy soundscapes and idiosyncratic voice.
We caught up with her to chat about her influences, as well as her plans for 2018.
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
A hybrid mixture of icy electronics, warm acoustics, soft vocals and melodies that altogether sound like a soundscape and a pop song at the same time.
What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
If I had to choose right now I would pick: For Emma Forever Ago by Bon Iver, Naturally by JJ Cale, It’s A Wonderful Life by Sparklehorse, Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu and Feel Good Lost by Broken Social Scene.
What techniques do you experiment with to form your sound?
Right now I use a lot of acoustic guitars and make them sound like bass or electric guitars in the box which makes them sound pretty weird. I really like the challenge of not having all these instruments but still make my songs sound like there’s a whole band without using midi. I also like recording with the build-in mic of my laptop to not only record me but also a lot of my surroundings and make samples out of those recordings. Recording for me is a combination of recording sounds I was planning on hearing and keeping an ear open for what is there that could not be predicted but be used well in the song.
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my laptop. I love working with a nice interface and some mics too but I couldn’t make the music I make now if I didn’t have a computer.
What are some of your key influences in your music? Whether it be the sound created by others, imagery, films or any kind of art form.
For both my lyrics and my music I use film. Watching movies is a great way to get some input. It’s image, sound and language: the whole package. A movie like La Grande Bellezza is a movie that really tickles my creativity. Also Google. I like googling words and sayings and just play around with the results. Just to get in the mood to write music I like to listen to music I haven’t heard before. I like to listen to instrumental music especially in that case. Going through Reich’s discography right now.
Jean Michel Jarre said “Music is the human treatment of sounds.” How do you interpret this?
That music is sound as made by humans. If it’s not intentionally it is because we have recorded it or made it by accident but it was still a human being being responsible. I like this idea. It’s the way we sculpt or organize sound. We touched it, now it’s music.
What has been a memorable highlight in your career so far?
Playing my own shows with the band is always a highlight. There’s nothing more special than people buying tickets for your show and being able to play your music live on a stage for those people. Absolutely love that.
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist of your choice, who would it be?
I would love to spend time in the studio with David Longstreth. I’m curious to see how he works and writes.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I think I would have been either a psychologist or a photographer. As long as it has something to do with understanding people and/or watching them.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
In 2018 me and the band will do a lot of touring. I’m also already working on new music and am planning on recording and releasing those songs in the year to come. Me and BINKBEATS also have side-project that might see the light in ’18. Who knows!
LUWTEN live!
17 & 18 Jan 2018 – Eurosonic Nooderslag, Groningen (Netherlands)
Thu 15 Feb 2018 – De Roma, Borgerhout (Belgium)
Thu 22 Feb 2018 – Trefpunt Concertzaal, Ghent (Belgium)
Wed 07 Mar 2018 – The Lexington, London (UK)
Thu 08 Mar 2018 – Het Depot, Leuven (Belgium)
Thu 22 Mar 2018 – Café Café, Hasselt (Belgium)
Sat 26 May 2018 – Sniester 2018, The Hague (Netherlands)
Follow LUWTEN on /// Facebook /// Website /// and click here for details on her upcoming shows.
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