Martijje Lubbers and Carina Vinke: they are two singers from Drenthe, but above all two mothers of sons. And a song about the latter was released last Friday: Come home. An ode to the fledged offspring with a clear message.
The collaboration of the two ladies goes back to the project Musical letters to Van Gogh, in the context of the Van Gogh year. “I was allowed to participate in that, because I had written a song about Van Gogh in Drenthe,” says Martijje.
The Roldense has been active in regional music for many years, with the occasional Dutch excursion. The classically trained mezzo-soprano Carina Vinke from Erica was also present at the project. “Carina also had a program there with the Veenkoloniaal Symphony Orchestra,” Martijje explains.
They met during the cultural festival and got to talking. “That was a very nice weekend, very nice and we got along well,” says Martijje.
Van Gogh’s story proved to be a breeding ground for more musicality than could fit into one weekend. When the two were aware of each other’s talent, the idea arose to do something together. Elaborating on Van Gogh’s story, Martijje took up writing. “Van Gogh was away from home a lot. He did not always have a good relationship with his mom and dad. His mom and dad did not always agree with everything.”
The singer from Rolde looked for similarities between herself and Carina and found them in very fundamental ideas. “Then I found out about motherhood pretty quickly.” Coincidentally, both singers have sons. “So a song came about about a message to a son,” Roldense explains. “It could also be a daughter, but in this case it was sons,” said Martijje.
Van Gogh was not an easy person and his parents may have had difficulties with him and that was the source of inspiration for the song. However, motherly feelings mean that there is always a home for your children.
“No matter how crazy you make it and no matter what happens in your life: know that you are always welcome at home,” Martijje summarizes the song. Carina can also easily identify with the text. “Yes, fantastic. I grew up happily in a very nice family, but I still feel that with my parents,” she says. “They live in my backyard,” she jokes. “I hope my boys feel that too.”
The fact that music is personal is evident from the following. Because the song is written from the perspective of a mother towards her son. When it appeared online last week, one woman online – whose children have already left home – responded that she was moved to tears. According to Carina, a man responded that it can not only bring tears to mothers, but also fathers who think about their daughters.
(text continues below the video)