Startas Orkester

“In general I do not like modern music but this I truly enjoyed.” – Grandma Kitty

It is possible that one could find a less biased review than the above quote by drummer and composer Bart van Gemert’s grandmother, but on the other hand it does describe the laudable aim of the Startas Orkester; making music with strong melodies and a clear concept, music that is able to satisfy the performer as well as the listener, music that bears repeated listening. Norwegian predatory snails, the Dutch coastal town of Den Helder, and bonsai trees that have sadly passed away… these are just a few of the sources that Startas Orkester cinematic Indie Jazz draws its inspiration from. They name minimalist composer Steve Reich, alternative rock band Radiohead, Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Henry Threadgill and jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel as major influences.

Sometimes you get lucky. Frans [SL recording engineer] asked me to help out on a recording session for a young band from the city of Utrecht; The Startas Orkester. The session was not planned as a Sound Liaison project, we were just hired by the band to record their first promotional album. They had won ‘’The Records’’ competition, an initiative by the Keep An Eye Foundation and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds to help extraordinarily talented musicians make their first album. We did not know the band and their music beforehand, nor what to expect when the 8 good-spirited and cheerful members of the Startas Orkester turned up in the studio that morning. The session started out with It Gets Worse/Better. Frans and I were immediately taken by the beauty of the music and the fresh and daring approach of these young masterful musicians. After a couple of takes they started working on Noordhoren and West Virginia. We then knew we had to have them on the Sound Liaison label.
– Peter Bjørnild, producer

Startas Orkester
Bart van Gemert – drums
Thijs van Gemert – double bass
Freek Rijna – guitar
Jorrit Westerhof – guitar
Hidde Smedinga – piano
Marthe Lasthuis – violin
Elianne Ardts – cello
Maurit van der Lei – vocals