Have you ever found yourself revisiting a particular dream more than once?
I remember a dream from when I was younger. I used to dream I had to get away from someone or some situation and my legs wouldn’t work. It felt like walking in slow motion when I knew I could run faster. That was scary. Glad I don’t dream that anymore
In your opinion, what is an essential life experience that every individual should undergo at least once?
I think it’s good to travel when you’re young. To not being able to rely on people or institutions that you’ve grown up in but to see what you’re worth on your own.
What’s currently playing in your ears?
Ah, I have a new single out that I’m promoting so I’m hearing that a lot at the moment. It’s called ‘Shadow of a Man’.
What is one book that changed your life?
I guess that would be Salinger’s ‘The Catcher in the Rye’. Or anything by Salinger really. Although live changing is a bit much.
If we’re treating, what beverage would you choose?
A cup of tea, please.
Share with us a significant dinner memory that stands out for you
I once ate escargots during a holiday in France, I don’t know why this springs to mind? I became a vegetarian not much later I guess. I’ve had so many dinners since then. I remember eating Thai food and accidentally eating a really spicy pepper and I grabbed the beer of my companion to try to put out the fire. Or having dinner with my wife right on the beach in Greece. That’s a good one.
Can you recount a challenging work experience that you consider to be the least enjoyable?
I am not good in hiding how I feel about things, not a good actor I’m afraid. To play music and to perform is something I do with a passion. So if I don’t like the music I can’t really act as if I do. I’m glad to say I haven’t been in those situations often. Another aspect is when people tend to talk through the music. I hosted a singer ;songwriter concert series in The Netherlands and I have had to tell people to either shut up or just leave. Not too often but still..
Reflect on the day that brought you the most joy in your life.
Gee, I’d say that was the day I married. That was not that long ago, seven years now but I’m a happy man obviously. We are talking about the most joy aren’t we? It makes me think of Paul McCartney’s ‘Silly Love Songs’ but what’s wrong with that eh? Other than that, every release of a new album brings joy as well. And guess what? There’s a new album due for release in September, folks!
If you had the chance to jet off anywhere right now, where would your destination be?
Somewhere nice obviously. I had some good times in Oklahoma on tour. Or the U.K. Or Greece, a particular small island springs to mind but I’m not telling you or everybody’d go there. Do some reading and writing probably. But at the end of the day I can really enjoy staying at home.
Who holds the title of your favorite fictional hero?
On the new album is a song about the heroine in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ the story by Truman Capote. The song is called ‘Miss Holly Golightly’ but she’s more of a muse in the song. So I guess my hero would be Holden Caulfield. (Catcher In The Rye). I must have read it a couple of times when I was in my teens.
How would you like people to remember you?
As a singer songwriter, writing his own in a tradition of those that went before. A storyteller maybe. As a guy from Amsterdam with a sense of humor, as a father, as a husband. I’d have loved to be a football player but that dream went when I learned to play guitar. But that’s me joking again.