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LAVALU

LAVALU

EARTHBOUND

LAVALU

LAVALU is 4 years old when her mom sends her off to her first piano lesson. She studies the classics for years and in all her deviations from music, finds herself at the piano again and again. Now, LAVALU is composer, songwriter and singer, giving life to the notes and words she writes and creating an amalgamation of classical and pop music. LAVALU’s music is filled to the brim with intricate compositions, deep meaningful lyrics and songs that sometimes ooze a sensuous passion, a flirtation of pop with classical cello’s, modern loopstations and effect pedals. 

In 2017 LAVALU debuted the first of three albums in her trilogy ‘Rise’. After ‘Solitary High’ in 2017 and ‘Midair’ in 2019, LAVALU returns in 2022 with the closing album of the trilogy: ‘Earthbound’. Earthbound is the songwriter’s first album in which she composes and plays in a trio-formation. Along with Roosmarijn Tuenter (viola and vocals) and Paul Rittel (cello and vocals), each with a similar upbringing in classical and pop music, LAVALU has created an album that gives listeners a safe haven for reflection and invites them into themes of womanhood, mental health and loving more than one.

LAVALU has previously composed and arranged for renowned orchestras such as the Dutch Residentie Orkest and Phion Orkest. She collaborated with the choir of the National Opera for two of songs from her first trilogy album ‘Solitary High’. In 2019 LAVALU was the first female composer to be nominated for a Musical Award for ‘Best Music’ for composing all music in a Dutch theatre-spectacle. 

 

PRESS QUOTES ON EARTHBOUND

“Her Magnum Opus.” – Subjectivisten 

“All ten tracks captivate and keep you fascinated, no matter how many times you listen.” – Krenten in de Pop

“Yes, it’s gorgeous!” – Leo Blokhuis, Radio 2

 

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OVER HET ALBUM

EARTHBOUND /ˈəːθbaʊnd/

[1. restricted to the earth.
2. limited to material existence as distinct from a spiritual or heavenly one.]

Na deel I en deel II ‘Solitary High’ en ‘Midair’ sluit songschrijver en zangeres LAVALU haar drieluik af met: ‘Earthbound’. Een album over accepteren dat je soms met je voeten in de modder staat, en niet altijd hoog kan vliegen. In deze roerige tijd kennen we allemaal dat gevoel van stilstand, van vastzitten. Maar wat nou als je juist dát omarmt? En daar vrede mee kan hebben? Misschien, heel misschien, zit daar wel het element van pure rust.

Dicht bij de grond -ook in sound- speelt LAVALU nu voor het eerst in trio-bezetting. Roosmarijn Tuenter (altviool en zang) en Paul Rittel (cello en zang) zijn beiden artiesten met net als LAVALU één voet in de popmuziek en één in de klassieke wereld. Earthbound put kracht uit de bassen van de piano, de warmte van altviool en de diepte van cello. En toch, samen brengen ze meer effectpedalen naar het podium dan de gemiddelde pop-act. LAVALU’s ‘Kamermuziek voor nú’ krijgt er een stevig broertje bij. Earthbound klinkt warm en als een veilige haven, maar neemt je tegelijkertijd mee op pad door de krochten van een maker in reflectie. Songs die je geest laten vliegen, onder de urgente en innige begeleiding van LAVALU en haar trio.

Welkom aan de voet van de berg.
Je kunt ver naar boven kíjken.
Maar de mens is earthbound.

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1st of June

1st of June

indie pop duo
first of june

1st of June

1st of June are an indie-pop duo, hailing from the Netherlands.
Gerhardt & LAVALU.
Two voices blending perfectly,
with minimal guitar, piano and stomp-box accompaniment.
It’s dark, it’s moody.
Because nighttime is the right time.

spotify 

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Het pauperparadijs

Het pauperparadijs

Indie pop opera

Het pauperparadijs

BRENG HET PAUPERPARADIJS TERUG NAAR VEENHUIZEN!

Deze zomer komen wij graag terug naar Veenhuizen, waar ons verhaal zich heeft afgespeeld. Maar wij hebben uw hulp nodig. Als wij voor 1 januari 20.000 kaarten hebben verkocht, dan kan de productie doorgang vinden.
Meer info: https://hetpauperparadijs.nl/

Het Pauperparadijs tells one of the most dramatic, hidden histories of The Netherlands. Back in the 19th century general Johannes van den Bosch wanted to help the extremely poor, but what started out as a beautiful ideal turned dark in the end.

The play is based on the book by Suzanna Jansen and is performed on the historic site where the actual events took place. Last summer it sold out completely: 40.000 people saw our indie pop opera. This season we’ll be performing yet another 45 shows.

For me as a composer Het Pauperparadijs has been one of the biggest challenges ever. How do you capture the outcries, the laughter and the weeping of people who have never really been heard in music? Even tough I write mostly for classical ensembles and piano this opera needed to be about pop music: blues pulled from the peateries, a northern European kind of chain gang songs and a dutch classic singalong Bij ons in de Jordaan… only in a minor key.

We’ve created an album these past months featuring the songs I’ve written.
The record has been produced by Gerhardt, mixed by Peter Schmidt (Berlin) and mastered by Bob Olhsson (Nashville, USA).
It has turned out beautifully.
You can purchase it after the shows in Veenhuizen or via www.bol.com.

LAVALU

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Salon
Concerts

Salon
Concerts

in your living room

Salon
Concerts

Back in the 19th century people used to host evenings
with live music and other arts at their own homes.
In their “salon”.
Composers like Schubert or Chopin wrote piano pieces
and songs especially for these evenings.

I love to bring this tradition back.
Solitary High is even inspired by this chamber music.

Would you like to hear Solitary High in your very own salon?
Please feel free to send me an email through bookings@lavalu.nl
The only real requirement is that you have (or hire) a real piano.
It can be an upright one or a grand one, as long as it’s an actual one.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

LAVALU

photo by Stefan Maria Rother

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Piano day

Piano day

Celebrating piano music

Piano day

Happy Piano Day!

Piano Day celebrates music for the piano in all shapes and forms.
Dozens of events take place around the world on the 88th day of the year to honor the piano and it’s music.
As I love to break boundaries and mix genres, in the past 2 years I have received artists ranging from
Jeroen van Vliet (jazz pianist) to Nikola Meeuwsen (classical concert pianist) to Marianne Oldenburg (singer from Ode to the Quiet).
The idea for Arnhem (NL) is a maximum of 100 people all seated around a grand piano and so far it’s been magical.

The next event will take place on March 28th, 2018.
Location and line up will all be revealed in the weeks leading up to our evening.
Keep an eye out for the invite on the LAVALU Facebook page!
And be sure to enlist as soon as you can, because it sells out pretty fast!

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