In conversation w/ Joost Laméris
JUNE 7, 2023 → WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO
Dutch singer and songwriter Joost Laméris presents the third single from his upcoming EP named ‘Ending Of Forever’. With a tight bond with music that comes from his childhood, Laméris opens up about the meaning and importance it has had in his life, being a very useful tool to sort out his thoughts while enabling him to dream by writing songs about love, mental health, and self-discovery. Especially in his teenage years, he found singing to be a beautiful way to escape reality during his high school years, where he felt a bit different or left out which most likely had to do with his sexual orientation. Now, through music, he expresses all his fears, dreams, and thoughts.
‘Ending Of Forever’, which will be available on all major streaming platforms from Friday 9 June, is a track that talks about knowing how fearful it might be going through change, but understanding that it is necessary to evolve and find yourself. It will be part of Laméris’ first EP, which he himself declares will have a mix of indie/electropop with singer-songwriter influences as well as a variety of topics, productions, and genres. It is also the project his 14-year-old self would be really proud of, a place where all his songs come together, which contain all those dreams he has had ever since he was a kid. Joost Laméris tells Sicky about his journey, the upcoming EP, and this wonderful new track ‘Ending Of Forever’.
Alongside this lovely interview and a wonderful set of exclusive photographs, Sicky has the pleasure of being able to present the premiere of the music video for ‘Ending Of Forever’. See it now before its official launch this Friday, June 9, exclusively presented by Sicky.
DRESS REMI STRIKKERS RINGS AEX-8, STEFANIE VERHOEF EARCUFF MARGUERITE BONES SHOES MAXIMILIAN RAYNOR
HEADPIECE ZYANYA KEIZER TOP + PANTS RHYCNI DRESS ISABELLE SCHULZ RING VITALY
SHOES YUME YUME
YOU ARE CONNECTED WITH MUSIC FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE AS I BELIEVE YOU LEARNED TO PLAY THE VIOLIN, THE PIANO, AND THE GUITAR RELATIVELY YOUNG. WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC COME FROM?
Exactly, I think my passion for music stems from those classes I followed and also from my brother and mom. They play various instruments and seeing them enjoy that always interested me. I then found that music helped me dream.
HOWEVER, BESIDES PLAYING THESE INSTRUMENTS, IT WASN’T UNTIL YOU STARTED SINGING AND SONGWRITING THAT YOU STARTED PUTTING YOUR THOUGHTS INTO ART. AT WHAT AGE OR TIME IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO TRANSLATE YOUR THOUGHTS INTO MUSIC? WHY DID YOU DO IT AND WHICH THOUGHTS CAME OUT FIRST?
I was always singing since I was a child, and when I was around 14-15 years old, I started writing songs to get a clearer view of my own thoughts. I found it to be a beautiful way for me to escape reality during my high school years and to give space to my dreams. Don’t get me wrong, I had a relatively good time in high school but I always felt a bit different or left out which most likely had to do with my sexual orientation.
HOW DID MUSIC AND SONGWRITING HELP YOU IN UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF AND BEING ABLE TO FIND YOUR IDENTITY?
I’ve always been very analytical with my thoughts. When something is bothering me or I’m overthinking, I can fully dissect my thought patterns and I try to figure out where it stems from. Songwriting is a way for me to do this by turning it into music. It truly helps me put order in my mind and at the same time escape for a bit as I can forget about the rest of the world during this process.
TOP MILES DELFOS PANTS RHYCNI BOOTS XIMONLEE RINGS + EARCUFF AEX-8
DRESS ZYANYA KEIZER PANTS XIMONLEE GLOVES NINAMOUNAH EARCUFF AEX-8
ARCHITECTURE IS ALSO ANOTHER SIDE OF YOUR CAREER. WHAT INFLUENCE DO ALL YOUR PASSIONS LIKE ART, HAUTE COUTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE HAVE ON YOUR SOUNDS AND VISUALS?
When it comes to creating concepts for videos, I love giving space for those passions you mentioned. I value the meaning behind design choices whether it’s in architecture, fashion, or anything else. It’s another art form and to mix my love for these with my music through visual storytelling is beautiful.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE DISCOVERING YOU THROUGH THIS INTERVIEW, HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR MUSIC? WHAT’S YOUR STYLE AND WHAT TYPE OF SOUNDS AND TOPICS DO YOU CREATE?
The debut EP that I’m currently releasing is a mix of indie/electropop with singer-songwriter influences. I usually write about topics such as love (in all meanings of the word), mental health, and self-discovery. I often write with a “sad” undertone but via electronic productions, and I try to also bring a lighter feel to the topics I sing about.
YOU’RE PRESENTING YOUR NEW SINGLE NAMED ‘ENDING OF FOREVER’. COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT IT, PLEASE?
‘Ending Of Forever’ is a song that I wrote two years ago. I wrote it at a time when I was quitting a job in architecture and deciding to pursue my music career fully. It’s about being fearful of going through a certain change, but also knowing that you need to do this in order to evolve and find yourself. Whilst writing ‘Ending Of Forever’ I also took inspiration from certain relationships I’ve had. I think change is beautiful because, in essence, I hate going through it, it scares me, but I’m also very aware that it is what helps me grow and that’s why I try to fight through the fear and push myself to always evolve.
HEADPIECE ZYANYA KEIZER TOP + PANTS RHYCNI DRESS ISABELLE SCHULZ RING VITALY SHOES YUME YUME
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT IN THIS SONG THERE’S THE DESIRE FOR A CHANGE WITHIN A CERTAIN SITUATION, BUT ALSO THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY MANAGE THOSE TRICKY SITUATIONS AND HOW DO YOU REFLECT THAT IN YOUR MUSIC?
I always try to listen to my body as I think it tells you when it’s time you need to go through a change. In those moments I’m very aware that I have two options: either I stay in the same “comfortable” position, or I decide to not let fear control me and choose growth via change. Music is the same, it changes constantly. The songs I’m writing for my second EP have a different sound than this upcoming EP and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also about accepting these changes and making peace with them.
‘ENDING OF FOREVER’ IS ONE OF THE SINGLES FOR YOUR UPCOMING EP. WHAT ROLE DOES THIS EP PLAY IN YOUR LIFE OR HOW DOES IT REFLECT YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION? TELL US MORE ABOUT IT IF YOU FEEL LIKE SHARING MORE ABOUT IT.
This EP is a very special one to me as it’s the first I’m releasing. Remember how I said that when I was 14 I used songwriting to allow myself to dream? To one day bundle my own songs together and release them has been one of those dreams I’ve had ever since I was that kid. To finally make this dream come true is a bizarre and surreal feeling. ‘Ending Of Forever’ is the third release of this EP and there are a few more songs coming in the following months. The entire EP has a variety of topics, productions, and genres that show a good summary of the type of music I create.
ARTIST JOOST LAMÉRIS
CONCEPT TOM ENZLER + JOOST LAMÉRIS DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY TOM ENZLER
STEADICAM OPERATOR BORIS BERGSHOEFF 1ST AC JORAN KLOOSTER GAFFER SAM BROEKMAN
FASHION DIRECTION NIKÉ HUIBERTS HAIR & MAKE-UP ANH NGUYAEN PHOTOGRAPHY GREGORY BARENDREGT
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT BENJAMIN SAMSODIEN PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS SIMON TOKLOTH + BRECHTJE MOEN
SPECIAL THANKS DE HOLLANDSCHE MANEGE AMSTERDAM + AAD VELDHUIS PIANOVERHUUR
SONGWRITING + SONG PRODUCTION JOOST LAMÉRIS + SARAH DONKERS + TIM DE BOER
MIXING MISCHA DIRKSEN MASTERING STATINSKI MASTERING
In conversation w/ Joost Laméris
JUNE 7, 2023 → WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO
Dutch singer and songwriter Joost Laméris presents the third single from his upcoming EP named ‘Ending Of Forever’. With a tight bond with music that comes from his childhood, Laméris opens up about the meaning and importance it has had in his life, being a very useful tool to sort out his thoughts while enabling him to dream by writing songs about love, mental health, and self-discovery. Especially in his teenage years, he found singing to be a beautiful way to escape reality during his high school years, where he felt a bit different or left out which most likely had to do with his sexual orientation. Now, through music, he expresses all his fears, dreams, and thoughts.
‘Ending Of Forever’, which will be available on all major streaming platforms from Friday 9 June, is a track that talks about knowing how fearful it might be going through change, but understanding that it is necessary to evolve and find yourself. It will be part of Laméris’ first EP, which he himself declares will have a mix of indie/electropop with singer-songwriter influences as well as a variety of topics, productions, and genres. It is also the project his 14-year-old self would be really proud of, a place where all his songs come together, which contain all those dreams he has had ever since he was a kid. Joost Laméris tells Sicky about his journey, the upcoming EP, and this wonderful new track ‘Ending Of Forever’.
Alongside this lovely interview and a wonderful set of exclusive photographs, Sicky has the pleasure of being able to present the premiere of the music video for ‘Ending Of Forever’. See it now before its official launch this Friday, June 9, exclusively presented by Sicky.
DRESS REMI STRIKKERS RINGS AEX-8, STEFANIE VERHOEF EARCUFF MARGUERITE BONES SHOES MAXIMILIAN RAYNOR
HEADPIECE ZYANYA KEIZER TOP + PANTS RHYCNI DRESS ISABELLE SCHULZ RING VITALY SHOES YUME YUME
YOU ARE CONNECTED WITH MUSIC FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE AS I BELIEVE YOU LEARNED TO PLAY THE VIOLIN, THE PIANO, AND THE GUITAR RELATIVELY YOUNG. WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC COME FROM?
Exactly, I think my passion for music stems from those classes I followed and also from my brother and mom. They play various instruments and seeing them enjoy that always interested me. I then found that music helped me dream.
HOWEVER, BESIDES PLAYING THESE INSTRUMENTS, IT WASN’T UNTIL YOU STARTED SINGING AND SONGWRITING THAT YOU STARTED PUTTING YOUR THOUGHTS INTO ART. AT WHAT AGE OR TIME IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO TRANSLATE YOUR THOUGHTS INTO MUSIC? WHY DID YOU DO IT AND WHICH THOUGHTS CAME OUT FIRST?
I was always singing since I was a child, and when I was around 14-15 years old, I started writing songs to get a clearer view of my own thoughts. I found it to be a beautiful way for me to escape reality during my high school years and to give space to my dreams. Don’t get me wrong, I had a relatively good time in high school but I always felt a bit different or left out which most likely had to do with my sexual orientation.
HOW DID MUSIC AND SONGWRITING HELP YOU IN UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF AND BEING ABLE TO FIND YOUR IDENTITY?
I’ve always been very analytical with my thoughts. When something is bothering me or I’m overthinking, I can fully dissect my thought patterns and I try to figure out where it stems from. Songwriting is a way for me to do this by turning it into music. It truly helps me put order in my mind and at the same time escape for a bit as I can forget about the rest of the world during this process.
TOP MILES DELFOS PANTS RHYCNI BOOTS XIMONLEE RINGS + EARCUFF AEX-8
DRESS ZYANYA KEIZER PANTS XIMONLEE GLOVES NINAMOUNAH EARCUFF AEX-8
ARCHITECTURE IS ALSO ANOTHER SIDE OF YOUR CAREER. WHAT INFLUENCE DO ALL YOUR PASSIONS LIKE ART, HAUTE COUTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE HAVE ON YOUR SOUNDS AND VISUALS?
When it comes to creating concepts for videos, I love giving space for those passions you mentioned. I value the meaning behind design choices whether it’s in architecture, fashion, or anything else. It’s another art form and to mix my love for these with my music through visual storytelling is beautiful.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE DISCOVERING YOU THROUGH THIS INTERVIEW, HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR MUSIC? WHAT’S YOUR STYLE AND WHAT TYPE OF SOUNDS AND TOPICS DO YOU CREATE?
The debut EP that I’m currently releasing is a mix of indie/electropop with singer-songwriter influences. I usually write about topics such as love (in all meanings of the word), mental health, and self-discovery. I often write with a “sad” undertone but via electronic productions, and I try to also bring a lighter feel to the topics I sing about.
YOU’RE PRESENTING YOUR NEW SINGLE NAMED ‘ENDING OF FOREVER’. COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT IT, PLEASE?
‘Ending Of Forever’ is a song that I wrote two years ago. I wrote it at a time when I was quitting a job in architecture and deciding to pursue my music career fully. It’s about being fearful of going through a certain change, but also knowing that you need to do this in order to evolve and find yourself. Whilst writing ‘Ending Of Forever’ I also took inspiration from certain relationships I’ve had. I think change is beautiful because, in essence, I hate going through it, it scares me, but I’m also very aware that it is what helps me grow and that’s why I try to fight through the fear and push myself to always evolve.
HEADPIECE ZYANYA KEIZER TOP + PANTS RHYCNI DRESS ISABELLE SCHULZ RING VITALY SHOES YUME YUME
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT IN THIS SONG THERE’S THE DESIRE FOR A CHANGE WITHIN A CERTAIN SITUATION, BUT ALSO THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY MANAGE THOSE TRICKY SITUATIONS AND HOW DO YOU REFLECT THAT IN YOUR MUSIC?
I always try to listen to my body as I think it tells you when it’s time you need to go through a change. In those moments I’m very aware that I have two options: either I stay in the same “comfortable” position, or I decide to not let fear control me and choose growth via change. Music is the same, it changes constantly. The songs I’m writing for my second EP have a different sound than this upcoming EP and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also about accepting these changes and making peace with them.
‘ENDING OF FOREVER’ IS ONE OF THE SINGLES FOR YOUR UPCOMING EP. WHAT ROLE DOES THIS EP PLAY IN YOUR LIFE OR HOW DOES IT REFLECT YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION? TELL US MORE ABOUT IT IF YOU FEEL LIKE SHARING MORE ABOUT IT.
This EP is a very special one to me as it’s the first I’m releasing. Remember how I said that when I was 14 I used songwriting to allow myself to dream? To one day bundle my own songs together and release them has been one of those dreams I’ve had ever since I was that kid. To finally make this dream come true is a bizarre and surreal feeling. ‘Ending Of Forever’ is the third release of this EP and there are a few more songs coming in the following months. The entire EP has a variety of topics, productions, and genres that show a good summary of the type of music I create.
ARTIST JOOST LAMÉRIS
CONCEPT TOM ENZLER + JOOST LAMÉRIS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY TOM ENZLER
STEADICAM OPERATOR BORIS BERGSHOEFF
1ST AC JORAN KLOOSTER
GAFFER SAM BROEKMAN
FASHION DIRECTION NIKÉ HUIBERTS
HAIR & MAKE-UP ANH NGUYAEN
PHOTOGRAPHY GREGORY BARENDREGT
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT BENJAMIN SAMSODIEN
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS SIMON TOKLOTH + BRECHTJE MOEN
SPECIAL THANKS DE HOLLANDSCHE MANEGE AMSTERDAM + AAD VELDHUIS PIANOVERHUUR
SONGWRITING + SONG PRODUCTION
JOOST LAMÉRIS + SARAH DONKERS + TIM DE BOER
MIXING MISCHA DIRKSEN MASTERING STATINSKI MASTERING