Diving deep into the vast, chaotic realm of experimental rock, Maarten Rischen, a prodigious artist hailing from The Netherlands, has unveiled his latest single, “Serenity?”, on June 23, 2023. Released under The And Scene Records, this single emerges as a testament to Rischen’s unbounded creativity and his penchant for pushing musical boundaries.
Clocking in at an ambitious eight minutes, “Serenity?” commences with a wistful ambiance, driven by the gentle notes of a piano. However, as listeners get lured into its serene embrace, the composition takes a riveting detour, evoking a plethora of emotions, reflective of the vast spectrum of human experience.
What amplifies the profound impact of “Serenity?” is its accompanying music video, filmed against the scenic backdrop of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Maarten emphasizes the essentiality of watching the video to grasp the track’s full essence.
In this visual representation, dancer Alina Spittan’s uninhibited movements, having heard nothing of the song prior to filming, resonate as a pure, spontaneous form of expression. This uninhibited approach to both music and dance encapsulates the ethos of the piece: raw, unscripted, and deeply impactful.
Further amplifying its uniqueness, Rischen states, “In many of my videos, I want to only be seen with an instrument if you actually hear that instrument.” This authenticity reverberates through every second of the video, as Maarten’s spontaneous piano improvisations blend seamlessly with Alina’s intuitive dance expressions.
Maarten Rischen’s journey in the music realm is marked by ceaseless experimentation. His approach is an eclectic blend, pulling influences from rock, emo, ambient, and avant-garde to name a few. His extensive and varied collaborations, from Shaking Godspeed to Tommy Ebben & The Small Town Villains, showcase a musician unafraid to explore, evolve, and express.
Beyond just a musician, Rischen is an artist in the truest sense. His body of work, encompassing roles in theatre, dance ensembles, and even the circus, paints a picture of a multifaceted creative powerhouse.
His recent pivot towards solo work further emphasizes his undeterred spirit. With solo, in Maarten’s context, it means he is at the heart of every process – from writing to production, to playing all instruments. This self-imposed isolation allows for an unhindered flow of creativity.
“Serenity?” is not just a track. It’s an immersive experience, a journey into the depths of the human soul, steered by Maarten’s unwavering passion and vision. It is, in every sense, a sonic and visual masterpiece, beckoning listeners and viewers to step into its evocative embrace.
Watch the video for “Serenity?” below!
#Peace.Love.Serenity
