THIS WEEK: WIM OUDIJK

Wim Oudijk is a singer, musician, composer and producer from The Netherlands. I’ve known Wim for a fair few years now; we met in the halycon days of MySpace and have continued to collaborate on all sorts of projects – although it always surprises people that we have yet to meet face to face. The power of the internet, eh!

Wim produced both my Snippet and Johnno Casson albums. He also mastered the HOME series of Various Artists compilations and he’s one of the nicest, most giving and indeed interesting people I know. Apart from being an extremely talented producer Wim is a first rate musician and composer in his own right – as his ever-growing band of supporters from all four corners of the world will no doubt testify.

In past lives, Wim ran a successful record shop, appeared on TV and toured extensively with both Navel Orange Choir and Trespassers W. The word is, he also used to yodel with the best of them. I write about him here not in reference to my own music but in reference to what his music can do for you.

Wim Oudijk is a wonderfully unique artist and his music has been featured on BBC Radio 6 Music both by our own Tom Robinson and by Stuart Maconie. He operates in a marvellous universe that happily sits outside the mainstream and remains proudly left of centre. Wim’s World is one where the music of Van Dyke Parks, the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and J.S.Bach are hits that dent the Dirty 30 each and every week- the mainstream in an altogether parallel universe – with a technicolored, joyful and positive backdrop.

Alongside many ongoing projects Wim has a wonderfully flavoursome album out now on Folkwit Records called ‘Tree‘ (Part 4 from the album is above). To me his music sits favourably alongside such composers as Lionel Bart, Antony Newley and Leslie Bricusse in their Willy Wonka phase. It summons up this borrowed lyric: “Come with me and you’ll be in a world of Pure Imagination. Take a look and you’ll see into your imagination”.

He has the rare gift of being able to make sounds shine and a lovely voice that mixes gravel with honey – and always hits the mark. Please take the time to check out Wim and his delightful music. His world is not one you’ll forget in a hurry. You can find him on his own website, Facebook and Soundcloud.

1. What are you up to at the moment?
Just finished producing Johnno Casson’s new album Window Shopping. Now producing and arranging a new album by the legendary American singer/songwriter Pete McCabe

2. Favourite childhood memory?
Being on a big stage at the age of 6 winning a yodeling contest. I have long forgotten how to do that and I still wonder why I did it back then.

3. Hero?
As my life is music that’s beyond any doubt J.S. Bach. As a kid I was playing his music wondering how anyone could think up the intricate and beautiful works he created. He’s still a driving force behind my music, along with countless others, notably Van Dyke Parks. Please check him out!

4. Villain?
Anyone conceited enough to think his or her opinion is the absolute truth.

5. What/who makes you laugh?
Anarchistic abstract silliness as in Monty Python’s flying circus, Zappa and the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

6. Describe what you do?
I’m grabbing a handful of thin air and mould it into a song, a bassline, a string arrangement… anything that could please my ears and brighten up my life

7. Whose hair would you like to have for just one day?
Albert Einstein’s. Especially in that photograph where he looks as if his fingers have been stuck in a wall socket. Admirable that a genius like him doesn’t mind looking and acting like a fool!

8. Best musical experience to date
First time I walked into a recording studio to record a single…the amazing freedom of expression by using modern technology was a real eye opener that has, through the years never lost its spell!

9. What artist inspires you?
Van Dyke Parks (see above) His amazing ability to make music sound like you’ve never heard it before, be it through production, arrangements or just by lending a hand as a session player. Every record he’s on breathes independency and refusal to take any musical language for granted.

10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
A wonderful opportunity for beginning musicians and bands to be heard by an audience of music lovers. Not surprisingly created by Tom Robinson – overall good guy – who has been giving years to promote indie talent!