Esther Groenenberg will release an EP on February 22 with 5 songs by Daniël Lohues in Dutch. The Zwolle singer, songwriter and pianist translated them in consultation with Lohues, who was behind the controls during the recordings. The single Almost Always Almost will be released on Thursday, February 8. “I think his songs are genius.”
Tell me, how did this come about?
“I’m a huge fan of Daniël, ever since All albums. I attend his concerts and at my own performances, in addition to my own work, I sometimes also sing a song by people I admire. Joni Mitchell, Burt Bacherach, Carole King and therefore also Daniël Lohues, but in Dutch. In October I was asked to make a few full-length programs with songs by my musical heroes. Before that, I translated 19 of his songs into Dutch, with Daniël helping me.”
You’re from Nieuwleusen, they also speak Low Saxon there, right?
“Yes, the language is in my ears. I played with friends who spoke flatly. I can do it a little myself. I sang a song by Daniël in Drenthe once, for The Lower Saxony podcast. But it doesn’t feel like anything from me. Playing with language, making songs, is a way for me to understand the world. And Dutch is the language closest to me.”
How do you know each other?
“Through mutual music friends and social media. In 2019 we started writing songs together for the first time. That was very exciting, but we clicked immediately. On my last album, Running for the boat, There are two songs that we wrote together and a few more will be on the next EP.”
And Daniël was even at the controls for this EP!
“Yes, he kind of pushed me to record these songs. “It’s a shame that you’ve done all that work now and it can’t be heard more often,” he said. We have made a fine selection of 5 songs that are close to my style and can be. All recorded in 1 take, singing behind the piano, as pure as possible. I was a bit hesitant, but Daniel wanted that. He thought it should sound as real as possible. I am very happy with the result.”
Was it easy to translate the songs?
“That varied enormously per song. Sometimes I only had to translate one word, but at Fear is great the text had to be completely changed. We did that together. And sometimes it didn’t work at all, like with It pours as it pours. Every now and then I also had to ask him what exactly he meant by a certain word.”
What appeals to you so much about his music?
“His songs touch me enormously, that is something intangible. I also think he is very strong lyrically and musically. Like me, he is nostalgic and sings about the passing of time, the ordinary, everyday things, life in a village, love. Very recognizable, comforting and authentic. But underneath there is a deeper, philosophical layer, with beautiful wisdom that makes you think: why didn’t I think of that myself? Like: ‘Fear is only for a moment, regret is forever’. I want to have that tattooed on my arm again!”
And musically? I always hear Bach or Mozart in there somewhere. Or Prince. Or you name it.
“You hear that Daniël has enormous musical baggage. And yet it is very accessible and unique. He can capture simplicity very beautifully. What I learned from him is not to overcomplicate things. If I write a song in 10 minutes, I quickly think: it must be too simple. Then Daniel says: ‘You should not throw an iron beam into the river when it is flowing smoothly’. If it’s good, it’s good.”
Will there be more after this EP? You have translated 19 of his songs!
,,Who knows. I continue to sing his songs in my own shows. In the autumn I will do a theater tour with writer Nynke de Jong Life: a manual. There’s a good chance that a song by him will also be included. But to do an entire tour with his songs… He still tours himself! Maybe it would be nice for some people to hear his songs in Dutch. I hope that this EP will make even more people like his music. Not that he needs that, but I think what he’s doing is brilliant. And it is a brilliance that appeals to everyone. We must cherish that.”
Maybe a duet together someday?
,,I want to! I have been practicing the second voice on his songs for years. That’s a tic of mine when I listen to music. I can sit next to him on stage and sing along!”
EP and performances
The EP I still have the light on will be released on streaming services on February 22. Groenenberg will perform his own work and songs by Lohues in De Amer in Amen on November 8. With Nynke de Jong she performs at Theater Sneek (24/10), De Tamboer in Hoogeveen (16/11) and Posthuis Theater, Heerenveen (4/12).