Album Notes

What is the sound you hear waking up in the morning? Hope it’s not your clock. What is the sound of rain, rolling on the tiles? Just as tempting as a percolating coffee-machine. Marten de Paepe plays warm, melancholic, acoustic whisper songs. Music about everyday life when time stands still for a moment. When memories come back to life and where dreams didn’t bite the dust. Marten de Paepe is a Dutch singer-songwriter. Guitar, vocals, cello, piano and xylophone create a tranquil surrounding in hastened days.

In June 2007, Marten won the Dutch national singer-songwriter competition Nootuitgang. 3VOOR12 wrote about this event: “His fluent guitar playing accompanied by his characteristic voice impressed the jury. The members of the jury unanimous agreed on the election of Marten de Paepe, who made them think of artists such as Tim Buckley and Nick Drake. He is able to make a solid impression. Like the audience the jury was looking forward to more songs of Marten.”

Since the first day Marten plucked the strings of his guitar sitting on his bed, he recorded many tapes full of his songs. At first he played them to other people only occasionally. He would try to drown out a noisy audience by playing as loud as possible. After several performances, Marten found out he could persuade people to listen to his music when he played softer. When there’s more space left open in music, people have got more to fill in for themselves. Many gigs en positive critics followed in the course of 2006 and 2007.

Being a tranquil singer-songwriter, Marten de Paepe listens to such artists as Dolorean, Great Lake Swimmers and Damien Jurado. Hearing them, he found out how to color a song with various instruments. Live and on record, Marten is being accompanied by Hanneke Janssen and Chantal van der Leest. Cello, harmonium, backing vocals and xylophone lend surprising elements to the music. The songs as played by Marten on himself are always central in his music.

Jasper van Vugt (OOR) wrote about his music: “Nice songs, well set up and colored by the used of various instruments. Marten stand in the footsteps of many folk troubadours but is able to give a unique sound to his songs. Marten plays and sings melodies that make his songs hard to forget. It seems like Marten is playing with his lyrics. There’s more to them than the meaning of the words he sings, it’s the sound of them as well. The way Marten presents himself in front of an audience is an extra trump in his hands.”

Menno Timmerman (Warner) judges: “Finally someone who joins originality with great songs.” Roelie van Lingen sticks to: “Marten has just got it.” 3VOOR12 wrote about his live shows: “I had great expectations after seeing Marten de Paepe, who’s on his way to become our very own Devendra Benhart. He plays play the most tranquil Americana. Marten strums his guitar like Nick Drake used to do and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy is still doing. You get carried away by his beautiful songs. Readily we wallow in his deep, warm voice.”

Other reviews: Backline: “With contrary strokes of his brush, Marten paints subtle still-lives.” Gelderlander: “Marten de Paepe competed in the final of the singer-songwriter competition earlier this year. He’s gifted with an extraordinary voice and plays the most tranquil songs I heard.” Merel Mooistra (Radio Merel, Tricky Theater, Amsterdam): “Ladies and gentleman! He’s good, he’s full of integrity and still he’s just a hot shot; put your hands together for… Marten de Paepe!!!”

In autumn 2007 a song of Marten de Paepe was published on the latest Volkoren sampler Pet Series volume 6 – The Mouse. Since November 2007 his first full-length album is available. Analogue tapes are now replaced by digital equipment; the living room more and more is changed for the stage. What stayed the same is Marten’s direct approach of music. His solemn believe is that all songs are born out of silence. This silence is being cherished in the music of Marten de Paepe. The sound you hear waking up in the morning.