My Mission

During my third year studying MediaMusic in the Netherlands, I encountered a Dutch busker that changed the way I perceived street music. His voice and music was so raw and pure, I haven’t felt many times before. His guitar was slightly detuned and he didn’t play his instrument in a virtuosic way. Yet, it were these imperfections that caught me.

I felt that his music had to be heard and offered to him to record his album. And just a few weeks later we met at my university’s studio to do so. It was the beginning of a special friendship for me. Months passed and I couldn’t stop thinking about how cool it would be to do this not just in the Netherlands, but everywhere. The world seemed to big and Holland too small.

Being German and living in the Netherlands I couldn’t decide where I wanted to start my professional life after university and wanted to see more places of this world before making that choice. This was the perfect opportunity for me to travel and take my job and passion with me, and that’s how the “SoundsLikeVanSpirit” idea was born.

An idea of connecting people and countries through songs, played by musicians which you probably have never heard of and so I turned my idea into a personal mission.

I bought an old ice cream truck, converted it into a rolling recording studio with a bed and kitchen. Found a few sponsors that helped me to get started and then terminated my apartment’s contract to start my journey of recording street musicians from every corner of Europe.

It has taken me a year longer than I thought and I wasn’t sure if I could finish it. But now, 2 years later I proudly present to you “Sounds Like Van Spirit – A Collection of Europe’s Pavement Melodies”.

I am deeply thankful for all the incredible artists I’ve met during my journey that not only showed me their art, but also let me into their lives, sharing friends, meals and incredible moments.

I’ve tried my best to pass on that feeling to you through an album that is hand-crafted with love and a book(let) that lets you look behind the music and experience this journey from the inside out.

Who is also involved?

“Sounds Like Van Spirit” has always been a personal project of mine. However it would have been impossible to finish my mission without the help of countless friends and family members that supported me with, expertise, encouragement and many hours of hard work. Thank you a lot!

Last not but least this project is about music, and I am so grateful I could the last two years of my life with incredible talented musicians, that always treated me always like a dear friend, wherever I went. This is an experience I will never forget.

Musicians Participated

Christiaan Mauer, Frederik Konradsen, Morten Vestergaard, Kristoffer Birkedal, ANAE, Winnie Christian, Mind Us, Peer Hellberg, JUHA, Karin Tytär, Infidelix & Mario, Alpine Dweller, Sisa Feher, Iby, Ljutri, The Hot Teapots, BOANAE, TIES & Sadik, Chico Perre, ATACA PACA, The Dawlins, Malaka Hostel, RammTammTilda, Michael W., Hot Whiskey, Jacek Piotrowicz & Agnieszka Oramus, Theodora Kalogirou, Dimitris Fragkoulis, Semeli.

Also I would like to thank my project partners that helped me completing my mission:
Shure DACH, ArtEZ University of the Arts, De Nieuwe Oost