More synthwave from The Hague, Netherlands
Ed van der Molen’s stage name is MoweLan. Another talented musician in the international growing pool of forward thinking electronic artists. Drawing from cinematic soundscapes, video games and his own background in electric guitar, Molen shapes well crafted tracks that emote the sounds and sensations of the 80’s and 90’s. Although he feels his music better for listening, due in part to it’s subtle complexities, his art occasionally finds it’s way into the music nightclubs of Europe.
We reached out to him to get the drop on his latest project and when it might be coming out.
#SYNTHWAVE
11/20/2017 – Thanks for talking to Slickster Mag. We recently interview Timecop 1983, who is also from your native country, The Netherlands. He told us that live shows with multiple synthwave artists is drawing more people to the genre. Do you agree? Have you been doing any live shows lately?
Timecop1983 is a great guy. I’ve met him once during a synthwave live show with multiple artists. The thing I find difficult with live shows is that people often wanna dance instead of just listening. I think my music is better suitable for listening while traveling. I really like it when music can transport your mind to another world. Driving with a great sunset along with a suitable track will make that moment so much more intense.
I haven’t done any liveshow’s recently. Partly because I recently moved (which kept me really occupied), and partly because I think my music is more suitable for a concert instead of a live show.
Currently, your next upcoming album is 80% done and you are moving into the mixing phase. What can you tell us about the new album? What will it be like, and can fans expect your classic sound or some new directions?
My new album has much more funk influences. Since the whole synthwave genre took off, I always tried to use some of the genres ‘ingredients’ and make my own style out of it. There will be more songs with vocals, but the general cinematic (emotional) style will still be there!
One of your tracks, ‘Out of the Rain’ is very popular on your Soundcloud page. Can you describe how you compose a track like this? Do you have an idea first and then craft some loops and melody?
Out of the rain actually started off as an introduction track for a live show. I wanted an epic opening before letting the other songs kick in. That whole concept kinda got out of hand and I made a whole track out of it. Most of the times I start out with a melody that I loop. Then I start to add bass notes that will be the fundament for the chords.
The idea behind that track was that after a very long time of having a creative block, I finally created a new track. After that I promised myself not to release new tracks until I’ve completed my album!
Did you study music formally, and play any live instruments?
I started out playing keyboard when I was like 8 year old (1994). After a few years I wanted to play guitar because I thought that would be cooler. Ha! I continued to play guitar until I discovered progressive rock in 2002. Because prog rock has many synths, I started to gain intrest in keys again. After a while I got really obsessed with synths which slowly got me more interested in the 80’s genre. Funny thing is that I really used to hate the whole 80’s sound, and now I can’t live without it! So weird.
I got my bachelor in audio production but many things I do I just learn myself. For my songs I play synth, guitar, bass guitar and the occasional percussion.
Recently, you did of cover of a track from the N64’s Wave Racer. How has video games and video games OST’s impacted your development as a musician?
Wave Racer is great. It is one of those games I played just to hear the tracks! I bet many people can relate. I think growing up with the SNES, N64 etc has been a blessing for my music. I vividly remember playing Donkey Kong Country for the first time. The underwater song, aquatic ambience, was just so perfect and it still is! Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the nostalgia but when I compare it with modern games, I think theres a huge gap in music quality. Everything has to be epic… It’s just boring.
Can you name your top three favorite video game tracks or composers?
1 – Donkey Kong Country 2 – Stickerbrush Symphony (this was a hard one)
2 – Zelda Windwaker – Dragon Roost Island
3 – Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
When will your new album be available for purchase and how can fans buy it? Are there other ways to help support you?
Right now I’m aiming for beginning of march. It’s crazy how time flies by. I’m planning to release it via Spotify and next to that also for sale so people can download it. I like the idea of people deciding them self what to pay for your album. If they want to pay 10 dollars, that’s great and if they want to pay 0 dollars, that’s cool also. I never made my music with profit in mind. More followers on Soundcloud would be great! It never really took off but it’s still slowly growing. On Facebook it is hard to get a fan base since you have to boost most of your post with money.
Thanks again for taking the time to talk to Slickster Magazine about your next album. Is there anyone else you’d like to mention or promote?
No problem! Last thing I wanna mention is that I really would like to collaborate with a few artists. There is something great about having two styles come together. So if you’re reading this, send me a message on Soundcloud!