 Edward
Reekers is a wellknown musician and singer in
the Netherlands. He is, inter alia, the lead singer of the Dutch
progressive rock band "Kayak".
In the past he worked with Ed Starink as a session singer, for example on the "Alan Parsons Songbook". He also performed on Ed's song "Vicious Circle" for which he also wrote the lyrics. In April 2009 StarinkWorld prepared an e-mail interview with Edward Reekers. The interview was conducted in English by Andreas Heinz. StarinkWorld: Edward, you are a wellknown musician, singer and composer. Do you remember how and when you've discovered your musicality? Edward Reekers:
I've been involved in music
eversince I was a child. At the age of 3 I started to play the harmonica
and I've been singing as long as I can remember.
The moment I decided I wanted to become a professional musician was the
first time I heard "Across the universe"
by the Beatles. Edward Reekers:
I took piano lessons for about 4
years and later on in my career I did a course in reading and writing
music. When I joined my first professional band I took a couple of singing
lessons. Edward Reekers:
I play keyboards and percussion. Edward Reekers:
A friend of mine pointed out to
me that Kayak were looking for a new singer. He suggested that I'd
send in a tape. I didn't think I had a chance
but my friend kept urging me to send that tape. When I finally did –
mostly to stop my friend from bugging me – I got a phonecall not more than
a week later inviting me to audition. Edward Reekers:
There's
a big difference. In a band you work together and everybody does his/her
part. With a solo project you yourself are the motor. Every decision that
has to be made, you make yourself. If you don't
do anything the project will come to a halt. You have the freedom to do
what you want but also the full responsability. I like doing both, though. Edward Reekers: I did some singing for the Ayreon project. Recently I
have been a part of a project called "Motel
Westcoast". We were 4 singers and a 5 piece band
doing all the beautiful songs from the American Westcoast, like Eagles,
Fleetwood Mac, Andrew Gold, Venice etc. Edward Reekers:
I started working for Ed in the
1980's. First of all I was a session singer and
I did a number of albums for him. We always enjoyed being in eachothers
company. Edward Reekers:
It was nice. Ed is a professional
and so am I. We don't settle for "almost
okay" we want the best results. And it's
a lot of fun if you both want to work that way! Edward Reekers:
Ed told me he wanted to try and
write a song together. He came up with the music for "Vicious
Circle" and I had the
idea about writing about something like that already for some time. So I
wrote the lyrics and we recorded it. Edward Reekers:
As I said, I always liked working
with Ed. He was always relaxed and easy going but still a perfectionist.
We got along great! Edward Reekers:
No I didn't
write the lyrics for that. I was asked to do a commercial as a session
singer. They knew my German was fairly good. The commercial turned out to
be such a succes that they made a single out of it. Edward Reekers:
I think there is an English
version somewhere. And there is a follow up called "So
schmilzt der Winter". Edward Reekers:
I wrote the music for a couple of
commercials. Mostly for childrens toys. Edward Reekers:
I wouldn't
call it a relief. I love to do different things with my voice. Dubbing can
be a lot of fun! I also translate and direct dubbing projects. For
instance I direct the Harry Potter films in Dutch. Edward Reekers:
Well, my work is my hobby as
well. I sometimes say: I'm a professional father
and I do music on the side as a hobby. I love my family very much and when
I'm not working I like to spend time with them
and cook for them. Edward Reekers:
You're
most welcome and say "hi"
to Ed for me! |