interview with Fin De Siècle
How was the band formed? The band was formed by students and ex-students of a musical education in the south of the Netherlands, started as a small acoustic cover band by the 2 leadsingers, Sjoerd Post and Kylie Pattinaja.
Can you tell about your band? We make a combination of folk- and popmusic, but because of the many interests and specialties of the members it's all a bit more alternative then de participants of the hype like Mumford And Sons and such.
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band?
We're all from Limburg, a province in the South of the Netherlands.
Sjoerd Post - Leadvoc./Mandoline/Ac.Guitar/Bouzouki
Kylie Pattinaja - Lead Vocals
Luuk Timmermans - Drums
Didier Leclaire - BackingVoc./Banjo/Ac.Guitar
Thimo Gijezen - BackingVoc./El.Guitar/Accordion/Soundscapes(Currently Double-bass)
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? Making nice music and fun I guess, not much at the time really.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Folkpop comparable to Mumford And Sons, but more heterogeneous and fresh.
Where was your first gig? I joined the band later, my first gig with FDS was at Nu Of Nooit, a big contest. The winner opens the Pinkpop festival, one of the largest festivals in The Netherlands, we became second but nevertheless won a videoclip, which will be released soon!
Where was the latest gig? At Rodahal Kerkrade, a big hall. We were the support act of UB40. There where 1300 visitors, it was magical and it was an honor to be a part of that.
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? Most music is done by Didier Leclaire and Sjoerd Post. Most Lyrics (and vocal melodies) are done by Kylie Pattinaja. Normaly finishing the compositions and arrangements are for a great part done by the whole band.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? I'm not going to judge that, I don't know, but Didier has the most distinctive sense of humor. He can just say some random stuff very fast and then we're all like, "what the hell??" and have a great laugh. Sometimes afterwards he tries to explain it, but it's not possible to understand his thought without explanation, haha.
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? It happened to be this style playing and writing on these acoustic instruments. Maybe the folk-pop hype was involved in that too. Our songs are about own thoughts and emotions, but more or less abstracted.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? All self-written songs.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? We've got 1 EP called "Dreamcatcher", it lasts for about 30 min, so it's almost an album.. It's on Spotify, Deezer, Itunes, everywhere!
How old are you?/What got you started in music? I'm 24 years old. We always had a piano in our livingroom, which I was attracted to and played on, while singing in made-up English.
At what age did you start playing? When I was 7 my dad asked me if I wanted to take lessons and he immediately contacted a very good teacher, Tino Snijtsheuvel. I discovered blues and the beginnings of jazz thanks to him. When I was 12 puberty pushed me to the direction of rock music and I wanted to start a band and play guitar, so I did.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? I was about 9 when I first performed in front of an audience, but I honestly don't know about the other members.
What year was the band started? Late 2011 or early 2012.
Best/worst gig you've played? Best gig was as the support act of UB40, worst gig was (in my opinion) an outdoor radio gig for L1 in Sittard. Everything had to be set up fast after waiting for hours, we weren't focussed, we couldn't hear each other, very static audience, we played everything to slow. We had to do a gig in a pub afterwards, that was amazing fortunately!
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? Because of personal reasons we had to slow down and rearrange for a while, so just recently we're getting back in action. But we're supporting the Irish Folk musician Dave Rooney in September and we'll do a theatre show in October. May next year our album will be released and more dates will follow.
Where have you played from then till now? That's a bit much to write down, but let's say, we've done small pubs, big festivals, radio sessions and support shows.
Witch band is the best you´ve seen? Jaga Jazzist (alternative big band) was a wonderful experience. Les Doigts De L'homme (gypsyjazz) at their release show of Mumbo Djumbo. And Deerhoof keeps amazing me, that's my personal favourite.
Is it always the same songs live? No
How do you get psyched up for a gig? The only way is to have time to get to yourself and be shure that everything sounds right on stage
What are your goals with your music? For now our goal is to play more gigs in the North of the Netherlands and maybe tour abroad, supporting an international act or so.
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Both, our music sounds the way it does because we don't limit ourselves to genres or era's.
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? It's how it works nowadays. If you want people to buy you records, make sure you offer them a present beside the music. The physical product itself should be something you'd want to own, so get creative!
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? (Gypsy-)Jazz, Black Metal, Hawaiïan, Hip-hop, Drum 'n Bass, IDM, Moroccan, Barbershop.. Name it!
What do you hold most dear? Karel, my acoustic guitar, written most of my songs on, travelled the most with, it's a feeling of home wherever I take it, don't even have to play it at all..
What would be your greatest fears for the future? I've got tinnitus as a result of stress, I really hope that doesn't get worse and I'll not be able to play anymore, because it has been that bad in the past. Or any other occasion in which I wouldn't be able to make music no more.
Have you been in any other bands? I'm in Shtack (Pirate-Metal), Ijdi (a mix between Moroccan and modern European music), David Emerald Swingtette (Gypsyjazz), Scarescone (Art-rock), Harold K (Alternative Singer-, Songwriter), Howlin' Stone (Blues) and many other projects and bands.
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? I'm a professional musician and I have a studio where I record/mix/produce other bands.
What would you do if there was no music? The entire humanity wouldn't have intellect, only instinct, and we (including myself ofcourse) wouldn't be any different than the other animals, eating, killing, sleeping, reproducing..
How important are your fans? I hate that word, it sounds like they're inferior to the person they like following. People who acknowledge you and like, or at least appreciate what you're doing is what keeps people like me alive and healthy. There are many downsides to musicianship, without enthusiastic people no artist would survive.
How often do you rehearse? Once every 1 or 2 weeks.
Where do you rehearse? In my recording studio.
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? If you feel you have a choice, playing your music or not, you're not strong enough to keep playing. You should have the feeling of having no alternative, that the drive you need.
Do you have any webpages? Yep, www.findesiecle.nl We also have a facebookpage, please check it out!
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Don't be afraid to fall while surfing, take waves as big as possible. You will definitely fall from time to time, but it should be much more fun than sitting on the beach.
How do you view the musicindurty of today? My definition of music is the expression and/or transfer of emotions by sound. There is hardly any music left in the pop industry, al the decisions where made rationally. That makes Stalaggh (yeah, check that out) music and WillIam a businessman.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence. Fresh and new folkpop.
What is your favorite crappy instrument? Haha, Karel, my acoustic guitar which a told about before, really good sounding, but full of bursts and scratches. I also have a trashed up Hondo II (SG kinda electric guitar), most dirty guitar sound I've ever heard.
