"It’s a wrap! And the whole process has been a li… Read Full Bio ↴Kirsten biography
"It’s a wrap! And the whole process has been a liberating experience. From day one, the day that I started writing material for the new album I felt totally free to do whatever I wanted to." Dutch singer-songwriter KIRSTEN will release her new album on Idol Media. It’s due in October and will be called VANILLA. Less than two years after her very successful debut: THE CHICK SINGER. A debut that generated lots of publicity for the now 27-year-old, a prestigious Dutch ESSENT AWARD and support shows for Ani DiFranco, Sheryl Crow, Beth Hart, Jewel and Venice. It took her and her touring band to some of the biggest Dutch festivals. (Lowlands, Parkpop and Bevrijdingspop Haarlem.) After a nationwide club tour things quieted down. Or well… so it seemed. The truth is that KIRSTEN has been working very hard indeed. The release of VANILLA will be the proof of that. And also that the hard work paid off.
As it’s been said before KIRSTEN, in spite of her enchanting appearance, is not an act put together on the drawing board of some marketing strategist. No team of slick songwriters, overpaid production managers and plastic surgeons for her. She’s her own woman in full control of her art.
It goes for every self-respecting artist, and it goes for KIRSTEN too: the second album will be looked upon as the litmus test of her artistic credibility. Her audience will expect an album that excels the much beloved first one.
And yet this outside pressure won’t be the main reason why KIRSTEN will consider the release of VANILLA as liberating. "Every song on The Chick Singer album was triggered by some situation or experience that I had a strong feeling about. A bad feeling most of the time. Every time I felt bad and angry about something, a song would come along. The prevailing emotion on The Chick Singer was to be anger. When I started working on VANILLA I was much more deliberate about the whole process of writing itself. I wouldn’t wait till a song happened to come by, I was writing for the sake of writing. I simply thought to myself: ‘I did this once. Let’s see if I can do it again’. In a way this had to do with the pressure I was feeling. I surely wanted to make another record but then found I was really enjoying the sheer craftsmanship of it all. I noticed that by concentrating on song structures and form my subliminal self began to seep through in my writing. It became a stream of consciousness work out. And that in itself generated a much broader set of emotions. In a sense Vanilla is less autobiographical than the first one. It felt almost like a miracle. I sat down, started to write out of the blue and it worked. It was fun! Just doing what I love best: writing. Sometimes light-hearted, sometimes heavy, but taking it with a grain of salt most of the time. I feel the songs don’t try to thrust themselves upon the listener, they’re merely trying to communicate."
Eventually all this asked for another approach in the recording studio as well. "Some of the songs we recorded for The Chick Singer I had carried with me for some five years or more. I had played them a lot of course and I felt sure that we had to stay close to the versions as they had developed over the years." (Due to the empathy of producer Rob van Donselaar and the musicians, Hein Offermans on bass and the great Martijn Bosman on drums it all worked out fine.) "But when we started on VANILLA all the songs were relatively fresh. That meant there was lots of room for experiment. So after the writing period, recording became another great experience again!"
It helped that the crew that had worked on the debut was present again of course, (only Michel van Schie plugged in for Hein Offermans.) but then other instruments were brought in. Most notably the pedal steel played by Urban Dance Squad string master René van Barneveld, and the flute of Jan Kooper. But it was especially the contributions of arranger and sound wizard Sander Baas that made a great impression on everyone involved. "Never ceased to amaze us! Even during the mix we found little patterns and sounds on the tape that before nobody seemed to have noticed in particular." And yet again: VANILLA is a genuine KIRSTEN album. Her voice, that every microphone seems to fall in love with, and especially her unique guitar playing that has developed in a most spectacular fashion over the last two years, call for attention throughout the album from the first to the last note.
With her new album KIRSTEN no longer stands angry and tough in our midst. Her audience will definitely grow in numbers, the admiration will enhance and there will be plenty opportunity to dance. KIRSTEN will be seated. With her guitar, new songs and an ice cream. The VANILLA kind.
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Kirsten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Descend, descend, descend
You're casting a double shadow
On the veiled existence I live within
Stop punishing me, stop punishing me, stop punishing me
For being wed to your ancestry
I did not choose to be in your company
I did not choose this dual nature
My mind it's insane, it's insane right now
I'm off the walls, I'm everywhere
Let me go, please let me go
Let me be free
I need it
I need you to let me be free
Gemini, Gemini, Gemini, Gemini
Please
I need it
In this song X, Kirsten is addressing her Gemini moon, which she personifies as a separate entity from herself. She is experiencing the duality and complexity that comes along with being a Gemini, and feels as though she is being punished for being a part of this lineage. Kirsten wants to be free from the constraints of her Gemini nature and the expectations that come with it. She pleads with her Gemini moon to let her go, to free her from the chaos and insanity that she is feeling at the moment.
The repetition of the word "Gemini" throughout the song emphasizes Kirsten's struggle with this aspect of her identity. The line "I did not choose this dual nature" suggests that she feels trapped by her astrological sign, unable to escape the conflicting traits associated with Geminis. The mention of her "ancestry" also hints at the idea that she feels as though her inherent nature is predetermined and beyond her control.
Overall, this song is a poignant reflection on the internal battle many people face with their own complexities and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Gemini, Gemini, Gemini moon
The singer is addressing someone born under the Gemini zodiac sign and referencing the current phase of the moon. This could hint at the duality and changeability associated with this sign.
Descend, descend, descend
The repetition of this word conveys a sense of urgency or intensity. It could be interpreted as a plea or a command to the addressed person to come down to the singer's level, either mentally or physically.
You're casting a double shadow
The singer perceives the addressed person as having a complex or contradictory personality that is hard to understand or predict. This creates an element of insecurity or discomfort for the singer.
On the veiled existence I live within
The artist feels like they are living in a world that is not entirely transparent or honest. They might be struggling to find their identity or purpose.
Stop punishing me, stop punishing me, stop punishing me
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the artist's feeling of being unfairly treated by the addressed person. They might be experiencing emotional pain or trauma.
For being wed to your ancestry
The singer feels like they are linked to the addressed person through some shared lineage or tradition that they did not choose. This might create a sense of obligation or dependence that is uncomfortable for the singer.
I did not choose to be in your company
The singer feels like they are forced to interact with the addressed person, either because of family ties or other social norms. They might not feel like they have a choice in this matter.
I did not choose to speak with you frequently
The artist feels like they are being subjected to unwanted or unnecessary communication with the addressed person. They might feel exhausted or drained by this constant interaction.
I did not choose this dual nature
The artist acknowledges the two-faced or paradoxical nature of the addressed person, but rejects the notion that they have to accept or tolerate it. They might be seeking independence or freedom.
My mind it's insane, it's insane right now
The artist is experiencing a state of mental turmoil or confusion. They might feel overwhelmed or unable to control their thoughts and emotions.
I'm off the walls, I'm everywhere
The singer feels like they are losing touch with reality or their sense of direction. They might be struggling to find grounding or stability in their life.
Let me go, please let me go
The artist is pleading with the addressed person to release them from whatever obligation or bond is tying them together. They might be seeking a fresh start or a way out of a difficult situation.
Let me be free
The singer desires freedom from whatever constraints or expectations are placed upon them. They might be seeking autonomy or self-determination.
I need you to let me be free
The singer is addressing the person who has power over them and asserting their need for independence. They might be communicating their desire for a healthy, respectful relationship built on mutual trust and understanding.
Gemini, Gemini, Gemini, Gemini
The repetition of the zodiac sign emphasizes its symbolic significance in the singer's life. It could represent duality, changeability, or any other trait associated with it.
Please
The single-word sentence conveys a sense of urgency or sincerity in the artist's request for freedom or space. They might be fearing the consequences of not being granted this freedom.
I need it
The artist is emphasizing the importance of being allowed to live as they see fit. They might be seeking validation or support from the addressed person or themselves.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Kirsten Ludwig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SimqlyMel
TT; simqlymel :)<3
I love yall, thank you so much for almost 400 subs!, you guys are amazing! thank you for the support <33
ㅤMemerified
e
CRINGE tube
:( they broke up 7 months ago
segopotjo
Mel hi!!
Rosa
Part two?
Scarlett Munro
Albert: let me touch it * literally eats kirstens hair
✨bubble✨
SAME MY BROTHER ALWAYS EATS MY HAIR
IAMBRI
LMFAO, YEAH.
Its kxwaiiplayz
😂
cami and brady
“OH MY GOD! YOU LOOK SO GOOD!” i smiled