23/09/2023
Five Questions with Dutch Musician and Valiant Horizon collaborator Niels van der Steenhoven
The Valiant Horizon music label prides itself on unique collaborations with seasoned musicians as well as emerging artists. A great case in point is Dutch musician Niels van der Steenhoven, who is excitingly featured on the forthcoming Valiant Horizon album COVERS AND CONCEPTS (9/22/2023) by our own Rye Catchers:
https://shorturl.at/hBCLQ
Niels shows his talents on a number of Rye Catchers songs including “Creeping on Me” "Always the Same" "5G" and the classic "Captain of Her Heart" ballad. Let’s dig into it.
From high-energy pop and rock to funky grooves and soulful ballads, Niels has got it covered. He is a seasoned professional guitarist with over twenty years of experience in the music industry. Niels is a graduate of the prestigious Conservatory of Rotterdam where he studied rock and jazz guitar.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Niels has had the pleasure of touring with many famous Dutch and foreign artists, including the iconic 70's prog rock band Focus. In addition, he has toured with Tito Jackson of The Jacksons. Plus, Niels has written/produced his own solo records as well as written songs for other artists. His work has been featured in commercials, movie trailers and other media.
1.) How did you get your start in music?
Niels: I was 14 years old when I started playing guitar. I went on to study at the University of Arts when I was 17 and graduated when I was 21. From there, I started a professional music career straight away playing with some local heroes and famous Dutch pop artists as well as doing studio sessions. I ended up after that in the band Focus, a progressive rock band from the 70s with international hits like “Hocus Pocus” and more. I toured all over the world with them for almost 6 years. I made two EP’s called ‘Guitar Vibes’ in 2018
2.) How would you describe your sound and style?
Niels: Eclectic. I like jazz, rock, funk, soul, fusion, prog, blues etc. I like a melodic approach and always put the song first.
3.) On the new music news front, you have been working with Valiant Horizon’s own Rye Catchers, specifically on the 2023 hard pop single “Creeping on Me” recently. What was the creative and production process like with that particular effort?
Niels: For “Creeping on Me”, I got a recording with almost all the other instruments recorded already. The guitar parts had to be the icing on the cake. I was looking for a catchy riff in the verse, big open chords in the chorus and a really rockin’ and energetic part in the bridge. To me, it’s always a puzzle. It’s about fitting everything together until it matches. You’ll get better every time you do it but it’s still a puzzle.
4.) You are out of the Netherlands in Rotterdam. What is the local music scene like there and how is touring on the Rotterdam music circuit?
Niels: Rotterdam has a great art university - which is the one where I studied. There are lots of really good musicians there. You have to try and make a lot of connections and play all kinds of music with all kinds of people. Eventually you’ll end up with a professional career.
5.) What is next for you on the music front and beyond?
Niels: I have been a teacher at the University of Arts myself since this year. So that’s a nice challenge. I also want to expand my session guitar services. Hopefully I can do a few nice international tours again. I play around 100 shows a year with several artists here in the Netherlands. There’s never a dull moment.
Finally, here’s what Rye Catchers’ David McClintick Roberts noted about his experience working with Niels:
I remember listening through online audio portfolios as I searched for a guitarist to work with on some new tracks, and Niels’ demo reel was an instant stand-out. His approach and sensibilities are the perfect complement to my own style; he plays melodically with a certain lyricism, and never overpowers a song. He enhances and adds to every tune with layers that add dynamic and depth. The result is always stunning, and yet understated.
Reading about Niels’ background above, I am not at all surprised that he embraces jazz and funk, along with rock and pop, as those styles all register in his playing and really add to my work since I tend to jump all over the map with genres.
I also note that a lot of times, especially in the chorus and outros, Niels will add what I call sub-melodies with his performances – kind of his own contrasting melody riffs that work with the vocal melodies. I go back to his lyricism as a guitarist.
Beyond all that, the man is so humble, responsive and such a pleasure – I look forward to hosting him again on tracks to come. My music would not be the same without him.
