“I don’t know if I have an end point for my music career. My goal is to enjoy the music.” (Photo: Cornelia Thirion/Maroela Media)
The alternative artist Hendriek Bleik recently entered the spotlight of the Afrikaans music scene with an arrangement of Riku Lätti’s song “Smoorverlief”.
Hendriek (27) was only five years old when Riku launched the original version of “Smoorverlief” in 2004. However, Hendriek thinks the song is timeless.
“It’s still relevant today, especially in relationships. The digital age we’ve entered has changed things a bit, and my version leans slightly more towards the electronic side of what love can be.”
Hendriek reveals that he does not really have a fondness for Afrikaans music, but that he has a special bond with this song.
“Riku Lätti, Bittereinder and Zinkplaat are among the few Afrikaans artists I listen to. Riku has a very special place in my heart, and it was important for me to honor him through the song.”
The song’s thumbnail sketch on YouTube and other streaming platforms is reminiscent of Dracula of old with Hendriek peeking through red curtains in a black suit.
Where Hendriek enjoys a moment of silence in Maroela Media’s studio, his appearance embodies the image of alternative Afrikaans music. He wears neat trousers, a white button-down shirt and a tie, but his leather jacket, hair that rubs against his collar and his interesting sunglasses remind you that there is an alternative artist hiding in him.
“I have a saying that I like very much: ‘Wonderful noise, what a wonderful mess.’ I think the way I write my music is from a playful place. I throw a bunch of different colors of paint on a palette, and whatever looks cool to me, I work with. I try to make a little noise through my music and also permeate bittersweet sounds. Electronic music that is recorded acoustically and processed electronically. Messy but beautiful.”
In September last year, Hendriek launched the song “Kosmos” in collaboration with the alternative artist Augusta Zietsman, aka Sossi. This song, as well as “Zombie Nursery”, which was also launched last year, gained great popularity on social media.
“I don’t know if I have an end point for my music career. My goal is to enjoy the music. I don’t put pressure on myself to do something or become someone. For now, I just want to enjoy what I do.”
- Listen to the full interview with Hendriek Bleik at the top of the report.
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