Christiaan
For Christiaan, music started with a dream…a dream to one day be able to get people as passionate about music and life as he is. Songwriting came very naturally to him, melodic lines simply springing up, ready to be harvested. His classical musical background in his early years surely attributed to that, along with countless hours of listening to and playing along with his favorite rock groups. After a couple of years of playing in rock, pop, punk and metal bands as a drummer, guitarist or backup vocalist he decided it was time for something new: “I couldn’t sit still. I had so much energy I wanted to share with people and I knew the only way of doing that was to start playing my own material. It just took me a few years to have the guts to do it.” At this point Christiaan already worked with drummer Richard, who was just as eager to write original material. Richard started to combine his writing skills with Christiaan’s melodies, a creative collaboration continues to be the motor of the band till today. Also the harmonic singing started to become a trademark of the band, as was the variety in tempo and style of songs. During this time Christiaan broadened his horizon by studying and working in different countries around the world. This halted the bands progression a lot, but also inspired many songs. After looking for a new bass player – which ended by the addition of Simon – the band was named Wide-Awake. Some older songs were dropped (although some still spring up in their acoustic set once in a while) and a new flow of songs started. “The cooperation between Richard, Simon and me can be challenging at times because of our very different personalities and backgrounds, but when we get on stage everything just blends in perfectly. We get into this zone in which nothing stands in the way of us and our audience!” |
Richard
Frustrated by his failing attempts to read sheet music, Richard traded his piano for a drum kit at age 13 (for which he had to pay himself, because his dad was afraid he’d quit after a couple of months). Playing along with hip-hop tapes and later on covering 60’s and 70’s pop songs with his classmates, shaped his first years of drumming. During the 90’s punk revival he started drumming in his first (alternative punk) band Fine Maladies, and soon after also became the guitarist of hardcore-punk group Up Yours. When these quit and punk turned into Indie rock Richard started working with good friend Joris Dirks in several projects. Alongside he experimented with local folk group Tweedragt, which broadened his musical horizon due to the many (traditional) instruments involved. From his (two year) trip to Cyprus and Greece he took home a bouzouki (traditional Greek guitar), which can be heard in Wide-Awake song Two Moons. He never thought he’d ever play covers again, but when – after a couple of ‘bandless’ years – Christiaan asked him to play along. “I just couldn’t refuse my new friend’s enthusiasm. Though some of the songs weren’t what I was used to, I enjoyed playing (pop) and especially singing harmonies!” While he had done some backing vocals for Up Yours and Joris Dirks, Richard now really took up singing. While at first it felt as a fifth limb while drumming, Richard is now comfortable singing from behind the cymbals, even doing some lead vocals. Richard’s rich background and rhythmic creativity can be traced back in Wide-Awake’s varied tempo’s and styles. |
Simon
After some failing attempts by his grandmother to teach him to play the piano, Simon started his musical career at age 10 by singing in a choir in his home town of Bydgoszcz (Poland). Playing rhythm guitar in Satriani-like band was his springboard into playing rock music. His great love for the bass started when he found an old broken bass guitar in the attic of his local church, which he fixed up, and at this time could replace the leaving bass player. As a student Simon played in a band called Meanwhile with good frined Piotr S. known from Half Light. Then he left his home country behind for the love of his life, Katleen. In Belgium he played and learned a lot in semi-acoustic band Krycek. Another move, this time to France, ended that experience and Simon moved between a few local French bands unfulfilled. A job offer brought Simon and his family to the Netherlands, but put a hold on his musical career for the next four years. Once settled, his love for music couldn’t be held back anymore. Even though he had kept up his skills playing the bass at home, he longed to play in a band again and quickly found Christiaan and Richard through their online add. Within a couple of weeks (!) he had created catchy bass lines to most songs. Simon really melted together Christiaan’s melodic songs and Richard’s calculative beats, giving the songs and band a distinctive sound. Also a composer, Simon came up with both experimental licks and complete lay-outs for songs. These pop up during their shows and in the acoustic set-up. |
Miriam
The fourth and last member of Wide-Awake is Miriam. Just like Simon she found the band through an online add. Wide-Awake was looking for an additional vocalist, female this time, to complete the harmonies. ‘I love singing harmonies, since it gives me the feeling of togetherness, being part of something bigger than myself’. Right from the moment she could talk, she started singing at home. Hours after hours she spent her time in the hall of their house, because of the acoustic qualities. She taught herself how to play the piano and the guitar, just so she could accompany her voice. Making music gives her the opportunity to express herself, to let people know she is alive and has something to tell. Although she did some stage work every now and again, she never ended up in a band though. This changed due to the request of good friends to sing in church during their wedding ceremony. As a result of everyone’s enthusiasm, she felt confident to join a band. The combination of music, her interest in poetry and her artistic way of living, made her choose Wide-Awake. ‘Covers are relatively easy and nice to play, but writing your own songs gives you more fulfilment. After all I am an artist who loves to create new things and experiment. I always feel the urge to express myself, whether it’s in music, painting, dancing or teaching. My goal in life is creating, no matter how. Right from the first audition, the band gave me the opportunity to express my own opinion about the songs, which were open for discussion. Therefore, I could blend in as a real part of the band, not just as a vocalist’. ‘In the first few weeks I already wrote my first lyrics and currently I’m creating new vocal lines. Furthermore, I met new friends; joining the band was the best thing I could do!’ |
Christiaan's 5 greatest influences are:
Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, The Script, Lifehouse |
Richard's 5 greatest influences are:
Jeff Buckley, Karate, Sunny Day Real Estate, Lagwagon, the Police |
Simon's 5 greatest influences are:
J. Satriani, W. Pilichowski, Dream Theater, Skunk Anansie, Creed |
Miriam's 5 greatest influences are:
Tori Amos, Jewel, K’s Choice, Bjork & Anouk. |