Feature: Martin Kuiper Decodes ‘Dreaming of a Sea of Time (ep)’
Can you talk about any specific themes or motifs that run throughout 'Dreaming of a Sea of Time (ep)?'
‘Dreaming of a Sea of Time’ deals with the healing power or haunting dimensions of Dreams. It's you who decides what your dreams feel like. Another theme is the passage of time. The older you get, the less time you have. So no lingering around any more!
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the EP and what makes them special to you?
I like every song on ‘Dreaming of a Sea of time’ :-). “Dreams” started out as an acoustic song, but turned into this synth driven almost meditation like song about the power of Dreams. “Hanging on a Pink Moon” has a soothing relaxing effect on me. It deals with the healing power of music and is a hommage to Pink Moon by Nick Drake and Tim Hardins Hang On To A Dream. Both songs helped me through emotional unstable times. “Sea Of Time” deals with the longing for a period in your life, your youth, when time was no issue. Now I am older and time getting shorter and shorter. “Baby” is one of the 1st songs I wrote 30 years ago and is a twist on the word Baby, in this song it deals with an unborn child. “Seven Days” is a song I always wanted to write. It starts off with an acoustic theme and turns into this jazzy midtempo piece, before it evolves in a thunderous classic rock track. The lyrics are written about the first seven days of a relationship with all the excitement and fear that go with it.
What did you enjoy most about making 'Dreaming of a Sea of Time (ep)?'
The way I worked with the musicians Erik Neimeijer, Jim Zwinselmand and Jeroen Hobert and producer Ruud Tijs. There were really a dream to work with and turned my songs into something really special.
Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
I recorded a demo 30 years ago with a band, but we did nothing afterwards. I always kept writing, so the songs kept coming. But the little voice in the back of my head became louder and louder. Once my dad passed away (my mom died in 2013) in 2021 and I approached my 50th birthday I made a pact wth myself: releasing my first solo album before my 50th. And it happened. To Feel Is To Believe was released in June 2024. This new release ‘Dreaming of a Sea of Time’ sees the light now I am 50.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
I start my songs on an acoustic guitar and start singing. A good catchy melody is really important. Once a song stands out played only on an acoustic gutar, it is a good song. With a vocal line comes a key phrase or a key word. This phrase or word is my subconscious telling me what I am dealing with. The lyrics are written once the song stands melodically and chord wise.
