Roosmarijn Tuenter loves to lay on the couch with her cat. The young multiinstrumentalist and composer will soon finish her studies at the Conservatory in Utrecht and start to record her first solo EP. „It has always been music, actually”, she says. “When I was four, I heard someone play the violin and was so mesmerized by the sound of it, I said to my mom: ‘I want to do that too!’” With the viola as her main instrument she tries to describe in songs all the feelings that can’t be put into words „I play music to express myself“, the singer-songwriter tells. „And the most beautiful thing is when other people recognize the feelings.”
What makes the viola special for you?
I really like the sound of it. It’s warm, lower than a violin. I don’t like the high squeaky sound. And it can move with you, more than a cello can. It just fits me, I think.
You are performing with a band but also solo with a loopstation. What do you prefer?
I have no preferences! Solo with loopstation is what I have been doing for some years now and it’s really close to my core. I started a band one and a half years ago because I wanted to give my songs more energy and I really like to play with other people! All songs start with my viola and voice and most of the time I know which direction I want them to go. The songs I play solo are different then the ones with band, only one song ¬– “Frost” – has a solo and a band version.
To combine a viola with a loop station seems to be a rather non-conventional use of the instrument.
I’m always looking for new sounds, with pedals but also preparations. I’m actually doing research on that now. I’m just trying to get the most out of my instrument!
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