Roosmarijn Feature zum Album „Wide Open Space“

Roosmarijn im Interview auf dem Blog; Fotocredit: Heta Salkolahti

Roosmarijn debütiert mit ihrem Album „Wide Open Space“ und sie hat auf der Platte so einiges zu bieten. Das liegt alleine schon an der sehr bunten Instrumentierung durch Kontrabass, Streicher, aber auch naturnahe Sounds und clubbige Synthies. Dass Roosmarijn dann mit ihrer Stimme das Gesamtwerk abrundet, liefert uns ein wohlig warmes Album. Das jetzt zur Jahreszeit nicht hätte besser erscheinen können. Das Album ist geprägt voller persönlicher Erfahrungen, die sie auf ihren Konzerten in Schweden, Norwegen, Island, Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland und Österreich gemacht hat. Sie ist schon recht früh in ihrem Stadium als Musikerin rumgekommen. Das prägt natürlich. Die Kraft und Schönheit der Natur dienten dafür als wesentliche Inspirationsquellen.

Doch wie kommt es, dass der Opener alles andere als seelenruhig und besinnlich daherkommt? Sondern viel wilder und ein bisschen chaotisch? Das liegt am Schreibstil und an der Produktion von Roosmarijn, die immer wieder ins Abenteuer geht auf ihrem Album. Das mündet in einer wundervollen Vielfältigkeit. Sie sucht sich selbst („Belonging“ „Where Bones Become Roots“) aber sie will sich auch selbst bestärken wie sie es in „Fire Walk With Me“ künstlerisch wirklich umwerfend umsetzt. Zum Album selbst haben wir ihr genau darüber einige Fragen gestellt.

Your debut album, Wide Open Space, is set for release on November 15th, and it’s described as an “emotional journey through different periods and spaces in life.” How did this journey unfold for you, and what led you to explore such a wide range of themes and emotions on this album?

Roosmarijn: „I’d describe myself as a very emotional person, so exploring different themes and emotions feels natural to me. I wrote the first songs just after COVID hit; my relationship had ended, and my living situation had changed. It felt like I had to start all over. I turned 30 this year, and I feel like this album reflects a coming of age in my twenties—a reserved young woman who, with the help of music, learns to stand up for herself, find her voice, and express it boldly and powerfully.“

The song „Dear Deer“ feels like the emotional core of the album, with its focus on the beauty and fragility of life. Can you tell us more about how this song came to be? What does it represent to you within the larger narrative of the album?

Roosmarijn: „One morning, I was walking in the woods and suddenly stood face-to-face with a deer. We looked at each other, just observing, and for a brief moment (it felt like time had stopped), I was struck by the deer’s beauty and how deeply it moved me. I didn’t want to move, afraid it would run away, as I wanted to hold on to that precious feeling of sacred beauty. Then, the deer suddenly ran off, leaping through the forest and leaving me with the thought that it was perhaps the fear in its eyes that made me cherish its presence even more. To me, this fragile beauty reflects the impermanence of life—something I see everywhere in nature and also in everyday life. It’s a theme that’s been on my mind and has also influenced other songs on the album.“

You’ve mentioned that nature, “the mother of all living things,” was a major source of inspiration. How did the natural world shape the album’s sound, and in what ways did it influence your songwriting and musical choices?

Roosmarijn: „I go for walks every day. It clears my head and has been a huge help with my songwriting. I often walk through the forest with a fresh melody or recording in my ears, and walking helps me write lyrics as the words flow more freely. I feel completely at peace in nature, and it’s always where I go when I feel stuck. About a year ago, I became totally fascinated by birds, and I even included recordings of a sparrow in “The Mother.”

Wide Open Space is also an exploration of personal growth, with tracks like „Outside“ reflecting the courage to venture into new territory. How has your music helped you “take up space” in your own life, and what role has it played in your journey toward
self-empowerment?

Roosmarijn: „Through music, I can express my feelings more profoundly. I find it much easier to sing about feeling angry than to tell someone directly. But each time I play a song about something difficult to address in real life, it becomes a little easier. Music allows me to stand up for myself because I feel secure with an instrument in my hands. I’ve also been lucky to work with musicians who encouraged me to put myself out there. My producers helped me let go of the need to make everything sound “perfect,” and this created a lot of freedom for me.

The final track, „Wide Open Space“, is a beautiful way to close the album, echoing the themes of exploration and longing. What significance does this song hold as the conclusion of your album, and how does it set the stage for what’s next in your career?

Roosmarijn: „Wide Open Space“ reminds me of my wanderlust, my love for adventure, travel, and being surrounded by pristine nature. The song’s outro feels powerful; I even thought it was almost “too heavy” while we were producing it. But now, when I listen, I feel it’s exactly as it should be—alive, like I feel when I’m in Norway’s mountains. I don’t want to hide the intense or rough emotions in my music. On stage, I want to feel as free as I do in nature.“

It’s been five years since your EP Inside Out. Looking back, how would you say your artistic vision has evolved since then, and what are your hopes for how listeners will connect with Wide Open Space?

Roosmarijn: „In the past five years, I’ve come a lot closer to my core. I feel more secure and empowered to go after what I want, and I understand my strengths and flaws better. My songwriting now reaches beyond my own little world, touching on the world around me and the unknown. I’ve worked to give each song its own space. I would be so happy if listeners felt inspired by my music, by the search and the longing for a wide open space.“

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