You may already be familiar with the name DROELOE, a duo comprising Vincent Rooijers and Hein Hamers, which first emerged onto the music scene in 2016 with standout singles such as “zZz,” “Kintsugi,” and “Sunburn.” Over the years, they’ve experienced remarkable artistic growth and fostered a thriving community of over 110k dedicated fans. They have been supported by artists like Charli XCX, Illenium, and San Holo, amassing over 1.3M monthly streams. Despite the duo parting ways, Vincent Rooijers has continued to evolve creatively, embarking on a new and ambitious journey with his debut full-length solo album, The Art of Change.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Vincent for an insightful conversation about his journey, and what lies ahead for DROELOE. We delved into the challenges he faced in the past couple of years, and how that served as inspiration for the songs in his debut solo album. We looked back at his early years, his view on the different chapters of his life, and cherishing all of those moments (Be sure to watch the interview below!).
“This album is a collection of ideas that I find important within my own personal development. It is a journey to turn these ideas into songs and symbolic places, one that helps me to visit those ideas more often. I want to become a more active participant in my own growth, this album is a step in that direction” – DROELOE
Texturally and visually, the album embodies Vincent’s attention to detail. Each element is so elegantly crafted, held together by the mesh of organic and experimental instruments, driven by the power of the vocals.
The album undoubtedly takes the listener on a profound journey. Vincent’s artistry in the opening tracks evokes the nostalgia of youth, filled with innocence and joy. As you progress to the middle of the album, you feel the growing pains; full of uncertainty and change, perfectly captured in A Current, A Void. At this stage, you are introduced to the sense of unease and angst, mirrored in your teenage years. When you get to The Wheel, you finally get to see all the pieces slowly fall into place, every element finding its way towards one another. Downside Up was by far my favorite – the mesmerizing performance from Transviolet truly shines, offering a lyrical lifeline from darkness to light.
The album’s whimsical and light-hearted elements draw the listener into the journey, while the lyrics dive into the themes of growth and resilience. Each track becomes a dialogue between the past, present and future, serving as a poignant reminder to your own journey, and the importance of cherishing each moment along your own path.
What sets DROELOE apart as an exceptional artist is the synergy between auditory storytelling and innovative visual aesthetics. This album, and the collaboration with FUNI, continues to enrich this sensory voyage through time.
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“The Art of Change” available on all platforms here
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Watch the interview below!
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If you have the opportunity to attend one of DROELOE’s shows in your area, I highly recommend it. You can find more information below.
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US Headlining Tour Dates
22 Sept- Wonder Ballroom, Portland OR
23 Sept- Showbox, Seattle, WA
7 Oct- Ogden, Denver CO
12 Oct- 1015 Folsom, San Francisco CA
14 Oct – Fonda, Los Angeles CA
2023 San Holo Tour Support
15 Oct – Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
19 Oct – Agora, Cleveland, OH
21 Oct – Riverworks, Buffalo, NY
22 Oct – Majestic, Detroit, MI
26 Oct – Webster Hall, NYC
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Neon Owl is excited to partner with DROELOE to host Open Door Sessions DENVER at Larimer Lounge the day following his tour stop at Ogden Theater. He will be joining us for an industry and mental health talk at Larimer Lounge during the daytime as well as giving feedback to live demos. For more information and to RSVP to attend, visit: neonowl.co/opendoorsessions
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Be sure to follow DROELOE on socials:
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Neon Owl is a music community and artist development platform focused on sharing stories, showcasing talent, sparking important conversations, while supporting charities around the world. We host music industry mixers, panel talks, and demo listening parties called Open Door Sessions. These events are curated to bring the music community together while helping artists get discovered, heard, and signed. We’ve had artists like Habstrakt, BIJOU, Trivecta, Blanke, Gem & Tauri, Haliene, GENIX, MaRLo, Andrew Rayel, Sacha Robotti, Gene Farris, BEAUZ, Nostalgix, Helloworld and brands like Groove Cruise, Brownies & Lemonade, Billboard Dance, 1015 Folsom, Anjunabeats, Northern Nights Music Festival and many more participate in these series of events since its inception 6 years ago. These events are hosted in major cities all across the US as well as virtually to bring the industry together to spark meaningful conversations while elevating the next wave of artists and music business professionals. Lastly, there is always a charity component to each event, such as raising money for causes ranging from animal rescues, mental health awareness, children in need, to other important social issues happening around the world.
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