After recently returning with his much-loved comeback single 'The Irony Of Fate' earlier this year, Irish-Dutch artist Nicolaas Walle is back to his best once again to deliver his breezy new offering 'Scorpio'.
Teaming up with regular collaborator Lisa Patscheider for this new release, 'Scorpio' makes for a brilliantly warm and illuminating listen. Capturing more of that rich and woozy aesthetic he has earned a reputation for, he continues to shine as one of the more alluring names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was the electric guitar for sure. I began to learn on acoustic, but always looked forward to being able to play electric. I got my first acoustic guitar when I was aged 10 and had just moved to Ireland.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was about 12 I was a huge fan of Queen. I had an iPod with mainly Queen on it. Then, as I grew up, some favourite bands of mine were Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Rush and Yes, in that order. A huge revelation to me was getting into progressive rock, which I did initially with Rush.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I remember owning Queen’s Greatest hits II first.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
My favourite song of all time, “Onward” by Yes, because of its simple but beautiful lyrics. I still try to write lyrics like that sometimes because they’re super inspiring to me, but I don’t personally think I’ve come close in my opinion. I also really love the way Neil Peart of Rush wrote lyrics, those songs were a mind-blowing thing for me when I discovered them, so intellectual and profound.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I can’t say I’m consistent in method. I feel like if I was, I would write the same song over and over again. It depends why I’m writing the song, what I want from it and/or what inspires me. Most of the time it comes from a feeling or a new sound, by accident, and then the method grows from there. I often write as I record because I find my brain works that way; it’s like building with lego and recording is natural to me from my college education in Creative Music Production.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I still love Yes, always, but other artists I’ve been listening to more recently are Louis Cole, Rachael Jean Harris, iNNUENDO, Siomha and probably many others.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Very difficult question. Probably Peter Gabriel. He is an amazing musician, activist and just a thoroughly creative person in general, and he acts on his ideas. I have seen him live only once but he is amazing. He’s done so much I admire over the years, and I’d just love to chat with him.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Having a personal and meaningful finished product at the end of the creative process and finding that people connect with it in some deep way.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Maybe the lack of a clear career pathway, wanting to spend as much time as possible on music and be productive, to put in the work and not have to worry, but not always knowing where to go with it or how to manage; it’s freedom but it can also be frustrating at times. Music is undervalued.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I think simply never to give up because there is a reason you want to do it, and it’s not because it’s easy. It helps to remind myself that sometimes.
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Nicolaas Walle's new single 'Scorpio' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.