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1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?
Since I have finished De Rode Weduwe last summer, I have been mostly preparing for the release by getting new merch ready, and of course just writing music and figuring out what I want to do next with Beenkerver. But the focus is definitely on this release of course. I've been trying several new ways to promote it, like having Instagram livestreams with musical friends as guests, which is a great way to also support other artists.
2.In March you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
I think the new album (De Rode Weduwe) is a progression in almost every sense; the songwriting, the recording, the drums, the mix, the artwork; it is all a more coherent story. And while my first album 'Ontaard' consisted of several separate musical stories, 'De Rode Weduwe' is a concept album so all the songs form one tragic tale.
3.A lot of the lyrics on the new album are inspired by Dutch Folklore, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
There are many legends surrounding the area I live in, dating back to deep in the middle ages. The relation of man and nature is always prevalent in those folkloric legends and I found that very fascinating. I also really enjoy telling old stories with parallels to current-day issues. It shows us how much society changes and in a lot of cases, sometimes unfortunately, also stays the same.
4.On an earlier recording you also covered Native American lore, how would you compare the lore of these people to the lore of your native country and other European countries?
Yes, the 'Twee Wolven' EP was in part based on a Native American story. And while I took inspiration from it, the context of my lyrics was a bit broader; it dealt with mental health, and how we human beings handle our 'light' and 'dark' sides. I see a lot of similarities between lore of all countries in the world, the theme of good versus evil reappears in all of them. I found it fascinating how the two wolves story focused more on acceptance of having good ánd evil inside all of us, where most European lore accounts evil to an external factor (the devil, for example).
5.You also have mentioned being an animal rights supporter and oppose racism, fascism and discrimination, can you tell us a little bit more about these views?
I don't think it needs much clarification, honestly. Unfortunately there is a lot of misogyny and discrimination in the world in general, and also in black metal. I am not a political musician in any way, though some of the themes of my lyrics do touch upon world issues that I find important. This new album for example, has a basis in the Heroine's Journey (as developed by Maureen Murdock) instead of the typical Hero's Journey, so it focusses more on the feminine perspective and the major prejudice and shaming that women still have to deal with.
And while I understand that extreme music can attract extreme views, I am not one to judge, but I do find it fair to be up front and honest about where I stand. Regarding animal rights, I often donate money I make with Beenkerver to several animal charities. It is a cause I feel very strongly about, so here as well, I want to be transparent about it to people who listen to/buy my music.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name "Beenkerver'?
It was my old nickname when I played in my first band Heidevolk, haha. We all had nicknames that had a character defining trait in them. I just got a leg tattoo the day before our very first live show, so Beenkerver (literal translation is 'bone carver' but could also be 'leg carver') was appropriate. This was ages ago though, and when I started my solo project, the name just popped into my mind again.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Of course! The cover art as well as 7 illustrations (one per song) were all done by the amazing Belgian artist Bram Bruyneel. He was incredible to work with and really understood what I was trying to tell with De Rode Weduwe. The cover shows the ghost of Sophia, the titular red widow, roaming through the forest of De Veluwe (a nature area where I live). It contains several hints to events that occur during the songs, and in general Bram went for a medieval wood carving style that I in turn put in a layout.
8.With the exception of as couple of session musicians you record most of the music by yourself, do you prefer to work solo?
When the story I want to tell is something personal, I do prefer writing music solo, yes. I can definitely also get inspired by others, but the whole 'six men in a rehearsal room' vibe is just not for me. I can't force creativity. Working alone gives me the freedom to work at my own pace, and I don't have to discuss every detail with someone else.
9.You also have experience playing in bands that are very different from what you are currently doing musically, do you consider yourself a very diverse musician?
Yeah, my 'roots' are mostly in the folk metal scene, which gave me a good base of melody and song structuring. I don't know if I am very diverse though, haha. That is for others to decide. I do try to keep things fresh when I write music/albums. I don't want to create the same album over and over again. So regarding 'De Rode Weduwe', you won't see me writing a story just like that again! A future album will have a very different theme, for sure.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
I have been really surprised by the positive feedback I have gotten on 'Ontaard' and 'Twee Wolven', and I am very curious how 'De Rode Weduwe' will be received. One of the first decisions I made when I started writing for Beenkerver was that I wanted my lyrics to be in Dutch, to really stay in touch with the most genuine emotions and being able to voice those as best I could. So it is interesting and flattering how my music has resonated with, for example, the United States. I do hear often that my music is very 'European', which I understand, haha. I think black metal listeners can spot insincerity quite easily. And while I am not the stereotypical corpse paint, spikes-on-my-arms wearing musician, I believe the genre evolved far beyond those clichés.
11.Are you currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
I also play in Plaagdrager, a black metal band I do with my friend CW. We recorded one full length album so far, and we might write another in the future. I did have some other projects here and there, but my primary focus for the moment is 100% on Beenkerver.
12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
As I said earlier, I don't like repeating myself as a musician. So I hope to branch out and try different things, while remaining true to the spirit of Beenkerver. In a broader sense, I would really like to give writing songs in an 80's dark wave style a try. That genre is a major influence on me as a musician, it is tempting to give it a go one of these days. As far as specifics; I doubt I'll ever be a fantastic solo-guitarist, and also playing live isn't in the card right now due to my health issues.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
I'm very into 80's music, bands like Joy Division, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, and artists not from that era but who carry the same melancholy in them like Lana del Rey. But I also really enjoy contemporary black metal bands that do something different. Bands like Fluisteraars, Hellevaerder, or Iskandr (who moved more towards the atmospheric), and outside of The Netherlands I'm definitely digging bands like Kold, Ildskær, Excommunicatio, Panopticon. So many bands I enjoy, too many to name.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you so much for your questions, I hope you will enjoy the story of Sophia, the red widow, once 'De Rode Weduwe' is released on March 1st!
http://www.beenkerver.nl
https://beenkerver.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/beenkerver
https://www.facebook.com/Beenkerver
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