Arjen A. Lucassen's Ayreon

Martijn Balsters
Date: 21-08-2000

On the very first Ayreon album a musician appeared by the name of Jolanda Verduijn. You might think she's one of the many musicians who contributed to Arjen's projects once and then went her own way again. Not this time! Jolanda Verduijn is Jolanda Lucassen nowadays and turns out to be a great force behind the magic of Ayreon. A special interview with the second inhabitant of The Electric Castle:

Profile

Name: Jolanda Lucassen - Verduijn
Date of birth: 01-05-1963
Nationality: Dutch
Residence: Rijsbergen
Married: Yes
Children: No
Hobbies: Horses, daydreaming, doing odd jobs around the house
Favorite 3 albums:
Ten Summoner's Tales - Sting
In The Spirit of Things - Kansas
Universal Migrator (part 1 & 2) - Ayreon
Favorite 3 books:
Dutch dictionary - Kramers
Dialoog met de natuur - Irene van Lippe-Biesterveld
Agatha Christie stories
Favorite 3 movies:
Stargate
Gattaca
Karakter (Dutch film)

In interviews at the time of the first Ayreon album "The Final Experiment" one could get the impression that you gave Arjen an important contribution towards the development of his first concept. Are you, just like Arjen, someone who has a rich imagination?

Yes, I've got quite an imagination, but most of it stays hidden in my head. It's beginning to manifest itself in several creative expressions lately, but not in composing music. I leave that up to Arjen.

On "The Final Experiment" you play the bass guitar on three songs and you can also be heard as a background singer. Do you play in a band at the moment, or have you been in one before?

I haven't played an instrument a lot in the past few years. However, I once did play in a band (bass guitar) called "Shave the Sofa". It was a nice cover band from Breda. We didn't play a lot, but we had a great time especially during the rehearsals.

Furthermore, I have done some occasional little projects. I once did a 'Golden Earring' tribute, organized by a guitar player who was a huge Earring fan. The whole crowd went crazy! Things like that are wonderful to do.

Before I knew Arjen I used to drum, but I've never played in a band as a drummer. I did play once with Arjen and Robert Soeterboek in a youth center. We played cover songs from Vengeance, van Halen and AC/CD with myself on drums and another girl on bass guitar. That was pretty funny.

I've never made music in a professional way; it's not really my ambition. Though, I do have a feeling for music and a couple of good ears, which means that I can understand Arjen (and other musicians) very well. So I can join in the conversation during the different stages of composing and recording the songs, and during the mix etc.

Are you yourself creative in some way? Not necessarily in music.

I put my creativity in developing ideas to redecorate our house and the land we live on, deep conversations, giving little attentions to people wrapped up with a nice card, poem, drawing etc. I also enjoy the friendship with my sweet mare. Apart from the usual sports that have to do with horses, several animal-friendly ways can be thought of to have a great time with your horse.

And I study natural medicine for animals.

On the following Ayreon albums you couldn't be heard anymore. Why not?

Arjen's musical development is progressing fast and because I hardly play and keep up my skills I do have a problem. I simply can't handle the parts. Other priorities have presented themselves instead. Maybe I'll pick it up once again one day and then.... well, then what?

By the way, there is a synth solo on 'Actual Fantasy' in the end of 'Far Side of the World' which I played together with Arjen!

Are you still an influence on the new concepts Arjen comes up with?

Yes, I am. If Arjen has been thinking for a long time on a new idea and he asks me along for a long walk in the woods, I already know what this means: brainstorming!

He already has the atmosphere in his head by then, because the music has already been composed at that moment. He has the basic idea what it has to be about too, but then there has to be a fascinating story and an overall concept that makes sense.

He starts explaining his ideas and I ask him questions, give him comments and add a couple of things as well.

It's exciting for both of us to see how the story is going to begin, what is going to happen and how it's going to end. It all has to be explainable in the songs of course. You have to put a lot of information in a song without everything getting unclear. Compared to a book, you can only put a limited amount of information on a CD. It then has to fit the music's atmosphere and the number of songs, so that's quite a puzzle.

The progression of the story is linked with the number and type of singers as well. That makes it extra complicated, because reaching singers and their willingness to participate can sometimes be a painstakingly slow process. Even until right before the recordings, it can still be uncertain if they will participate.

Furthermore I mostly sing all of the guide vocals for the female singers. I really like doing this.

My most important contribution though is being an objective musical ear. Arjen frequently asks me to listen for a moment. For example, he shows me a couple of options of how to fill in a sound for a certain melody. What fits best in the overall sound? I listen to solos and to accompanying melodies that are more in the background. I listen to the pre-mixes and the final mixes that have been made at the R.S. studio at Oscar's before they take care of the very last things. I give my comments to that, which isn't always a pleasure to hear, but it's honest. Arjen finds this very supportive, so it's nice to contribute in this way.

You have a different position towards everything, of course, because you are married with Arjen. The music is recorded at home, so you could say that no one (besides Arjen) is confronted with the Ayreon projects as much as you are. What do you think of the music?

It sucks!! No, seriously, the music Arjen makes is a reflection of his being. Ayreon reflects a pretty big part of that, but there's much more ;0) I find it delightful to recognize the character of Arjen himself in his music and I do love it; powerful, melodic and full of passion.

I'm there from the very beginning of the songs, from the moment that he transforms his brain images to his old faithful guitar (unplugged), half lying in his chair while countless images go by on the television screen with the sound off (inspiration?).

Sweet melodies and great riffs, which sound typically Ayreon already then by the way, develop through a long creative process to magnificent melodic masterpieces and bombastic heavy metal rhythmic walls of guitar and are getting their own function in the Ayreon project.

Sometimes I have to really get used to changes Arjen frequently makes to the instrumentation, but eventually I really like the combinations and quality of the sounds that he uses in Ayreon.

BUT... sometimes I go crazy after hearing the same tune 687 times when Arjen has looped a musical fragment to get the right synth or Moog sound which fits this particular piece best. Aaaaaaaaaaarrgh!!!

A lot of famous musicians have been in Arjen's studio in the past few years. What is it like to have all these people over at your place?

Great, of course. Arjen always plays me a couple of songs from the musicians that will guest on Ayreon just to show which qualities he values in those persons and why they fit their Ayreon song. It's very nice to see what personalities are behind them. Every meeting with these musicians is special again.

Ed's (Warby) personality is pretty inconspicuous, a bit quiet but he knows a lot about movies. This is quite funny when Arjen and Ed are quoting several movie references during diner. I never know what they're talking about then. The drums are always recorded at Oscar Holleman's studio. Ed is a perfectionist, what he does with those sticks, toms, cymbals, double bass pedals etc. is incredible. You have to be there to believe it. The good man does not make mistakes, so the only thing you're busy with is making perfect things even more perfect! Oh well, for a perfectionist it's never perfect. For Oscar, Arjen and me it gladly is. I hope that Ed can enjoy his 'misachievements' ;0)

Timo (Kotipelto) is a cool guy with a great sense of humor. He is interested, involved and willing to learn. We taught him some Dutch swearing words and he taught us some Finnish!

Oscar (Holleman, you know), well… what can I say about him. He's not only a terrible engineer, his guitar playing sucks, his coffee tastes horrible, the couch in his studio gives me a spontaneous hernia and he himself is a jerk! ;0) In other words: I LOVE HIM! He's one of a kind. He's a top guy in his profession, is giving one hundred percent, has got a lovely sense of humor and is very involved with Arjen's music. Oscar and Arjen know each other very well.

Rob (Snijders) is a lovely drummer. He remains a soft, sweet guy even after a day of hard work. Just like I did with Ed, I also went to Oscar's studio to watch Rob record his drums. I love his drum playing and his tattoos and hat are awesome! One night, on our way home from Oscar, Rob ordered a vegetarian burger at McDonalds. When we arrived at home… tons of food but no vegetarian burger. I try to be a vegetarian as well, sometimes. So, Rob ate my lentil-sticks and I eventually took a bite of Arjen's hamburger.

I didn't see Bruce (THE Bruce) very long. Arjen picked him up at the airport one night. Bruce sang his song in an excellent way that same night and we listened to some music afterwards and heard his anecdotes, which he tells in such a delightful way. I'm in love with his speaking-voice! As far as I'm concerned, he can record a CD with only his voice telling all sorts of tales ranging from horror stories to fairy tales! Anyway, the next morning he got up early, stripped his sheets put them into the washing machine and switched it on (!) and then took a sauna before breakfast. He simply takes care of himself; I never had such an easy guest!

Johan Edlund. A mysterious, quiet man.. Artistic and talented but hard to get through. A very special guest.

In contrast with Johan's quietness, one day there was the whirlwind of Ian blowing its way through our house. Ian (Parry) doesn't sit still for a moment and keeps talking (loudly) with his lovely Liverpool accent. Then, this enthusiastic 'little' man (compared to Arjen ;0) ) disappears into the studio and a few moments later this huge VOICE is ringing out from 'the Castle'.. The Electric Castle Studio is separate from the
house we live in but Ian can be heard INSIDE the house! Gee, I'm amazed again every single time how such a small man can produce all these decibels!

Edward (Reekers) has been here before of course (previous Ayreon albums), a real family-man. He always prepares himself very well and records all his vocals in a nick of time. You never have to worry about him.

I already knew Robert (Soeterboek) before Ayreon, when he used to sing in a cover band with Arjen. When Robert has to record his vocals, his girlfriend Gaby comes along with him most of the time and it always happens to be sunny weather then!

While Arjen and Robert are working hard in the studio, Gaby and I have a lot of catching up to do with a nice drink in the sun. Sometimes Robert makes diner for us, which is delightful, because he is an excellent cook!

Damian (Wilson) presents himself as quite a humble guy. I've never received so many 'thank you's' and 'sorry's' from anyone! He showed such sympathy two years ago when I was sad because I had to say goodbye to one of our animals. He kneeled down next to me and had some tears in his eyes himself. He doesn't think of himself as that important, but I think he's very special. He's sensitive, has got an incredible talent and a beautiful voice. In the early morning, while we were still asleep, he climbed over the fence to run for miles in the woods. He is in top shape, and he eats very healthy meals. (I'm jealous of that ;0) )

I have seen Floor (Jansen) and Jacqueline (Govaert) just for a brief moment; talented young girls who we will hear and see a lot more from.

Mouse is a bit of an arrogant fellow, but I believe he has good heart. I enjoy his voice and the fabulous way he sang his song.

Fabio (Lione) is always pictured as a tough guy with swords and a Heavy-Metal-look, but he's just a very nice quiet Italian.

Lana (Lane) and Erik (Norlander) have stayed here longer and several times. Lana is a lovely spontaneous woman. very caring and interested. You can talk about everything with her and she has got a great sense of humor.

Erik is well mannered, punctual and very driven. He has got great sense of humor and knows everything about movies as well. When Arjen and Erik were quoting entire movie scenes, I was glad to have Lana around to have a decent conversation with ;0)

And guess what they had in their suitcases when they went back home (Los Angeles)… kilos of 'hagelslag', 'gestampte muisjes' (unpronounceable for an American) and 'tijgernootjes'!

The past few years, Ayreon's popularity kept growing quite a lot. Because there were never any live performances people keep asking over and over again if it would ever happen. My question is: what do you think? Does it have to happen one day or is it just perfect like this and something mysterious is being kept hidden?

I think it's perfect the way it is, at least at this moment because Arjen is very happy with the way he works these days and it would cost an enormous amount of energy, stress and money to turn Ayreon Live into reality. It's hardly imaginable what would be involved with such a huge project and I'm not just talking about all those famous and busy musicians and singers from all over the place who have to be there at rehearsals and all the shows.

But, sometimes I secretly fantasize about it and then I participate as well of course, as you might understand! Long wavey and headbanging hair locks, one beast of a bass guitar, a cool look and let's rock that stuff! Now you see what a rich imagination I have
;0)

Is there any chance that you will participate on a next album?

I have nothing to say about that, but in a way I do control it myself. If there are songs I am able to play in a way they were meant to be, why not? (I guess I have to go practicing!)