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Alexandra Alden
Born in Malta, Alexandra Alden, like many, is in search of connection. In her music, she navigates through ironic tales of the end of the world, the gentle wisdom of the butterfly effect, and the immense beauty of nature, with a sense of urgency and wonder. A nomad at heart and spirit, descending from a direct line of musicians and artists, Alden travels through Europe and the US. She shares the stories of her unconventional ‘wanderer’ life and always finds solace in borderlands or transitional spaces. Her restless soul never stays in one place for long, constantly moving, exploring, and leaving traces of her experiences. She paints vivid portraits of the places she has visited and the people she has met and loved along the way.
Desolaas
The name Desolaas might remind you of words like desolate, or solace. That’s also the general mood of the songs by this band from Groningen. If Desolaas were a landscape, you would see vast red sand plains, abandoned houses, barren trees, and a thunderstorm just passing by.
The Dutch lyrics by Anne van Slageren touch on themes like conflict, loss, unwanted advances, social media, and the search for meaning in all of this. These bittersweet themes are sung in harmony by Anne and Welmoed, with songs that are dark, sultry, melancholic, and comforting. Anne and Welmoed previously played together in bands like Over the Moon, Raw Moon, and Solace I Guess. Jazz musician Manon Barendsen and drummer Rense van Slageren complete Desolaas. Earlier this year, the band recorded an album with Frans Hagenaars, set to release this fall. So, be sure to catch Desolaas live at Simplon UP!
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