Yet, as a digital festival, ESNS and its ethos—to promote as many new European musicians to bookings at festivals all around the world—flourishes. As we prepare for four days (19-22 January) of new sounds and talks as part of its adjoining conference, we met the festival's Head of Programme Robert Meijerink.

 

 

 

Robert Meijerink: I always liked to discover new music. As a young teenager I was really into my grandma’s record-collection. She was a real jazz cat and she taught me to listen to music and introduced me to John Coltrane, Mingus and also Nina Simone and Curtis Mayfield.

 

I discovered Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Sonic Youth, Slint, Talking Heads, Shellac, Tom Waits and sometimes I got my friends into this. Pavement’ Slanted and Enchanted was a big discovery and so was Boards of Canada Music had the Right to the Children and the first releases of Palace Brothers, PJ Harvey, DJ Shadow and Aphex Twin.

 

 

 

RM: Yes it goes all the way from older Dutch garage/rock-records, Europe to African, Asian, Middle-East to South American music, American blues/folk music. 

 

Many old and new jazz, soul, dub/reggae and hiphop records. Also ambient, electronics, classical, surf/pop/rock/noise and psychedelic rock, metal and also techno, house records. My most treasured pieces are some albums by Moondog, Lee Hazlewood, Omar Korshid, Kraftwerk, Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou, Augustus Pablo, Can. 

 

 

 

RM: I really like the music when I play the music at home for my own pleasure. Good music touches me and I want to play it again and again and again and mix it with other great music.

 

 

 

RM: In regards to the live music scene it’s still pretty hard to predict because of the pandemic. I guess it also depends on when you are touring as a British artist: heard that Spain is not easy at all. As it looks know The Netherlands is not a problem as far as I know. Hope that solutions will be found sooner than later.

 

 

 

RM: True. I think it’s better to have a digital Conference and Festival than no ESNS at all. Our aim is to connect the Live Music Industry, Media and Artist with each other.

 

As always ESNS promotes new and upcoming acts from Europe and also the UK—and for the second year we are forced to go digital. I’m excited about the line-up for both the Conference and Festival. It’s diverse and there is so much to discover. You can discover yourself via our website.

 

 

 

RM: I trust friends and colleagues in the live music scene, some artists, my local recordstore. Of course via ESNS we’re in touch with many festivals, venues, broadcasters, labels etc. 

 

 

 

RM: It’s a very different year than last year as last year the whole world was in a lockdown. I hope ESNS Festival inspires people to discover, listen to great new acts from Europe and also network, inspire, connect and learn from the ESNS Conference.

 

I truly hope that live music will be back soon in Europe so venues will be open and festivals take place so music lovers can finally enjoy live music again. 

 

 

RM: I hope that artists get the chance to play live again, develop and organically grow to bigger stages, venues and become even a better live and recording band, with a long-running career. 

 

 

 

RM: A random pick: Amelie Siba, Alina Pash, Unschooling, Tramhaus, Albertine Sarges, Meskerem Mees, Carla Preta, Kids Return, K.ZIA, Leon Of Athens, Дeva (Deva), Joe & The Shitboys, JADA, Anushka Chkeidze, Monsieur Doumani, Bloto, Echt!, Spill Gold, Coucou Chloe, BSI. Marta del Grandi, Wodan Boys.