‘It all sounds a little more ” to the point” than earlier recordings (there are fewer instruments/ layers), but the Maureens-sound (especially in the harmonies) is still there!’, says Hendrik-Jan Wolff about Something in the Air, the new record by Dutch band The Maureens, out February 2nd on Meritorio records.

But you can already check the new single!

 

 

 

How did Something in the Air come together?

 

After the release and tour of “Bang the Drum” 3 members left the Maureens: Bas van de Looy (guitar/vocals) and Randy Linskens (bass/vocals) were busy with their own songs/ band and Bas van de Waterbeemd chooses to have more time with his family. In the summer 2016, Wouter Zijlstra (bass/vocals) joined the Maureens, which is a 4 member band since then.

In the last two years, several songs have been written. In March 2017 and in March 2018 the Maureens recorded songs in the studio (Mailmen, with engineer Martijn Groeneveld who also mixed the songs). The new record (” Something in the air”) contains 14 songs from these sessions and all songs will be played during live gigs.

 

 

On Bang the Drum, the last record, the sound changed ‘a bit’ from Power Pop to Westcoast/Americana. What can we expect this time?

 

I think the album has both vibes: powerpop songs with a lot of harmonies like the first album, but also more introspective, Americana-ish songs. It all sounds a little more ” to the point” than earlier recordings (there are fewer instruments/ layers), but the Maureens-sound (especially in the harmonies) is still there!

 

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

The positive part is that the world is small nowadays: platforms like Facebook, Instagram etc. give us the opportunity to reach people in, for example, Spain and Brazil. There are small music-loving communities everywhere and those are the places we want to be heard. We’re not very comfortable with MTV and big radio stations, that’s not where we should be or want to be. Besides that: the Looks and the stories seem more important than the music itself.. the Maureens try to be authentic and ” real”, that’s when we feel comfortable.

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

 

– Teenage Fanclub- Ain’t that enough

– Wilco- Via Chicago

– the Chills- Pink Frost

– Posies- Solar Sister

– REM- Man on the Moon

… and tomorrow it will be 5 other songs.

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

 

If we succeed in reaching more “new” people, make new friends in Spain (our new album ” Something in the Air” will be released by Meritorio records from Madrid), see old friends again at our shows and if we enjoy listeners and ourselves during hopefully a lot of gigs!

Which is the song you wish you had written every time you hear it? And why?

 

Ballad of El Goodoo/ Big Star. The melody, the shivers, the harmonies. The song brings back memories I didn’t even remember. Unbelievable chorus.

What’s up for the rest of the year?

 

We’re rehearsing our new live set. In the next few months, we do a few try-outs in Holland. On February 2nd our album will be released. After our release show, we’d like to play a lot of shows in Holland and Spain. We’re already writing new songs too, so we hope the release of our next record won’t take too long.