Bio provided by artist:
M.J.H. Thompson + Volksorkest is a musical collective led by M.J.H. Thompson. The band includes core members Arie Hoekstra, Sjoerd Frankrijk, Milo Mooi Wilten and Pirko, along with a rotating cast of about ten other musicians who contributed to their debut album.
The band was formed during a period of transition for Thompson after his previous band, KIEFF, disbanded. After eight years with KIEFF, Thompson found himself disconnected from the music they were making and was inspired to pursue something new. Drawing from a collection of songs he had written over several years, Thompson assembled a group of close friends to bring these songs to life, prioritizing enjoyment, authenticity, and a sense of playful experimentation over technical perfection.
M.J.H. Thompson Volksorkest’s sound is an eclectic mix of rock, post-punk, and country, drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists, including Kevin Ayers, J.M.A. Biesheuvel, and The Shaggs. Their debut album reflects this diverse palette, blending spontaneous creativity with an unconventional approach to songwriting and recording. The process was intentionally relaxed and organic, beginning in a friend’s studio and evolving through contributions from various friends in different settings. The result is a collection of songs filled with quirky observations, offbeat humor, and genuine expression, capturing a wide spectrum of human experience and emotion.
For Thompson, the songs on this album are more than just music; they represent pieces of his life, snapshots of whimsical moments, deep introspection, and everyday absurdities. Throughout the process of making this album, sharing these songs with his loved ones has been especially important to him, as it’s a way to connect and share these moments with the people who have been part of his journey.
Picture by Jessie Kamp
Bio provided by artist:
M.J.H. Thompson + Volksorkest is a musical collective led by M.J.H. Thompson. The band includes core members Arie Hoekstra, Sjoerd Frankrijk, Milo Mooi Wilten and Pirko, along with a rotating cast of about ten other musicians who contributed to their debut album.
The band was formed during a period of transition for Thompson after his previous band, KIEFF, disbanded. After eight years with KIEFF, Thompson found himself disconnected from the music they were making and was inspired to pursue something new. Drawing from a collection of songs he had written over several years, Thompson assembled a group of close friends to bring these songs to life, prioritizing enjoyment, authenticity, and a sense of playful experimentation over technical perfection.
M.J.H. Thompson Volksorkest’s sound is an eclectic mix of rock, post-punk, and country, drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists, including Kevin Ayers, J.M.A. Biesheuvel, and The Shaggs. Their debut album reflects this diverse palette, blending spontaneous creativity with an unconventional approach to songwriting and recording. The process was intentionally relaxed and organic, beginning in a friend’s studio and evolving through contributions from various friends in different settings. The result is a collection of songs filled with quirky observations, offbeat humor, and genuine expression, capturing a wide spectrum of human experience and emotion.
For Thompson, the songs on this album are more than just music; they represent pieces of his life, snapshots of whimsical moments, deep introspection, and everyday absurdities. Throughout the process of making this album, sharing these songs with his loved ones has been especially important to him, as it's a way to connect and share these moments with the people who have been part of his journey.
Picture by Jessie Kamp