The Boxthat is the name of the newest album by Amaricana musician Wijtze Valkema from Meppel. Better known as the Drentse Hillbilly S. Lois. The listener is treated to ten folk numbers about, among other things, aging, but also about Meppel.
It is now the third full -length player for the Meppeler musician, but recording an album, there is still a lot involved.
“Yes, anyway,” Valkema replies to the question if it was a birth. “I recorded it at home for the first time, so the process is more spread out. Almost in a whole year. While otherwise you might have less time in the studio to finish it.”
In addition to being a money issue – studio rental is not cheap – it also creates time for Valkema to experiment with the recordings. “Trying out things that I would not dare in the studio, looking at the clock,” he explains.
Recording at home may seem like a nice cheap solution. “I think it has never been easier than now, to mess around at home on a computer with a microphone.” Valkema has underestimated the process, but says that nothing is impossible. “It’s a big job, but if you really want it, then it is possible.”
When asked whether it is financially possible, Valkema is clear: “No.” Despite that, he will continue to write and record his music. “I really want my songs to exist on LP. Whether or not they can enter the market, or that I recover my money, I just like to capture my songs in that groove and to be able to listen back,” he says. “That is actually the motivation. It must exist and we will take care of that anyway.”