Aphranova Orignal work
“The songs by Angelique van Os and Tony Hoyting are pieces of art in themselves. The guest appearance of Norwegian Karl Seglem and the Red Limo String Quartet is particularly nicely incorporated. It makes The Crossing one of the most surprising releases of the year” - Jean-Paul Heck, Soundz
Aphranova was founded in 2015 by front lady Angelique van Os. The same year saw the release of the digital debut EP, Late Bloomer (Challenge Records), produced by keyboardist Alexander van Popta (Re:Freshed Orchestra, Sabrina Starke, Sef, Ntjam Rosie). Aphranova works with rotating musicians and a number of returning faces, such as Arthur Buitelaar (b) and Tony Hoyting (p). In the future, Angelique is focusing on new collaborations with other songwriters and Norwegian musicians, such as saxophonist Karl Seglem and pianist Espen Berg
The Crossing
On the debut album, The Crossing (2020), elements of identity, perspective and connection are a common thread. During several trips as a travel journalist, Aphranova has been inspired by the power of nature, by emptiness, vast landscapes and tranquility. Thus songs like Almost There, Intuition, The Mirror of Life, guilty pleasure Never Alone and Your Story are about humane connection, near and far. And with The Willing Mistress, Aphranova honors the strong, headstrong woman Aphra Behn (1640-1689), who was one of the first independent free-thinking writers, playwrights and poets in British literature, and to whom the vocalist lends her artist name.
Featured artists
The album features the fantastic Red Limo String Quartet playing three pieces (Kyteman, Eddie Vedder, Wende Snijders, et al). Norwegian tenor saxophonist and geithornist Karl Seglem can also be heard on two songs.
Live & airplay.
After years of playing in all kinds of bands on a variety of venues and festivals, Aphranova made her debut with her band on the national Dutch radio show of Eerst Jaap (Radio6 Soul & Jazz), followed by a performance at the former North Sea Jazz Club (Amsterdam). In November 2016 the first single, Little Man was released and received airplay on local and national Radio stations. They performed at several big events such as Jazz in de Gracht, Jazz Festival Delft, Eurooosonic, de Observant, Drents Bevrijdingsfestival, Het Preuvenement, Simplon and Theater de Nieuwe Kolk, among others.
DJ Sandstorm’s Jazz Mash feat. Aphranova
‘'Jazz Mash' is DJ Sandstorm's funky, mashup live experience. We mix songs from Kraak & Smaak, Gare du Nord, Smoove & Turrell, Parov Stelar, Gregory Porter together with Daft Punk, Bruno Mars and other funky lounge & dance. A guaranteed eclectic funky party for get-togethers, openings and festivals. Both for background and to bang. Sandstorm regularly shares the stage with live musicians on sax, trumpet, guitar and electronic percussion. He forms a duo with Aphranova, improvising on the spot. Together they have performed at bif festivals like NN North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz in Duketown, several times at the Dutch TT and play regularly at the Timmerfabriek in Vlissingen.
Photo by Joke Schot
It is also possible to invite a third musician. With a guitarist, an acoustic vocal set is also possible, and thus a full-length program.
DJ Sandstorm and Aphranova also collaborate on their own remixes, create own repertoire and conceptual themes. In 2023, the DJ released several digital EPs of his own work under Urban Sounds Records. See here for an impression. See some videos here.
The funky 'mashup' DJ is influenced by soul, funk, world, hip-hop and jazz in everything he mixes. Sandstorm combines these styles in his own way to create a funky soundtrack, from contemporary jazz, hip-hop to uptempo funk, acid-jazz and funky dance music! This can be done digitally or with vinyl.
DJ Sandstorm is also known for his mashups, remixes and theme mixes that have been broadcast for over 15 years on various radio stations in the Netherlands, such as 3FM, Radio 2, Sky Radio (running mixes) and Sublime FM. Since early 2024 he has his own radio show with Jazz Mash on YoursafeRadio (Giel Beelen). In addition, Sandstorm has his own club night at venue 't Beest in Goes (Zeeland).
Aphranova Sings 80s90s Unplugged
It has fascinated Aphranova (Angelique van Os), who is also a music journalist and musicologist, for years and she still regularly refers to it: music from her teens. And she's not the only one. Why is it that the music of our youth has so much impact? So much, that lyrics from the past can still be easily recalled. The answer is quite simple: music is closely linked to memory and (positive) emotions.
Photo by Johan van der Klaauw
With her new trio, formed in spring 2024 and consisting of cello player Annette Scholten (NNO, Noordpool Orkest, Filharmonie Noord) and guitarist Ronald Kamphuis (Arnold Veeman, Manouche Swing), Aphranova brings a diverse program of timeless classics from the 80s and 90s, which she still listens to today. This contains arranged pieces by Alan Parsons Project, Pink Floyd, Seal, Mr. Mr., Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush to Chaka Khan, Alanis Morissette, Roxette, Tashmin Archer, Amanda Marshall, Björk, Tori Amos, Crowded House, Radiohead and Stevie Wonder.
The music is framed by personal stories and anecdotes and the question what makes people recall memories from their younger years more often and more easily.
Music and video to follow soon!
photo’s below, first row: Johan van der Klaauw.
