The Rotterdam music scene thrives on collaboration and Lucas Thijs is no stranger to its web of musicians. With his latest project, Lucas has put together a group of artists who share his passion for music while blending new wave and indie influences into a sound uniquely their own.

The lineup consists of Romy Laarhoven (acoustic guitar, backing vocals), Job Roodhuizen (synthesizer), Tim Roos (bass), Dirk Schonk (drums) and Laurens Collee (synthesizer).

“I’ve been making music with these people for a long time in other bands and projects”, Lucas explains. “The drummer, synth player and bass player are friends I’m playing with in Indigo Pastel, a new wave/indie band based in Rotterdam. Romy and Laurens came into the picture through other friends living here. Every musician in this city kind of knows each other, it’s a small scene”.

Lucas’s musical journey has been rich and varied, with notable stints in the post-punk band Paterson and the short-lived Laundry Days. Reflecting on these experiences, he says, “Paterson was a post-punk, new wave-influenced band. We did a lot of shows and have a couple of singles and an EP out. Laundry Days was a smaller project, but we played some cool shows around town before calling it quits. We even recorded a single that will be out soon. So, you could say my résumé is ‘small but spicy’”.

Songwriting remains at the core of Lucas’s artistry, with much of his work taking shape in his home studio. “I compose the music, writing the lyrics and song structures mainly at home”, he shares. “Sometimes I have three demos for one song, and by making all those demos, I get closer to what the song needs. It usually starts with me just messing around and finding a nice combination of chords or a vibe. Then I’ll start mumbling melodies and words until I unintentionally sing something that sticks. Basically, my process is 10% inspiration and 90% weird sounds and mumbling”.

Lucas’s passion for vintage gear and old synthesizers adds a distinct flavor to his sound. “I’ve been collecting gear since I was really young. It’s nice to see the collection getting bigger. I love to mess around with super old ‘crappy’ synthesizers like the Casiotone CT-460. I even made an ambient album using mainly that keyboard and samples. Honestly, the thing barely works half the time, but it’s got character!”

The band’s upcoming single, Backseat of Your Mind, is already generating excitement. “It’s one of those typical ‘feeling irritated by your ex’ songs”, Lucas reveals. The live recording is part of “Calls from the Hull”, an initiative that spotlights Rotterdam-based bands. “We were invited to record a live session by V11 and Elmo Taihitu. The live video was made by Alek Riquelme. I worked with him earlier on a Paterson live video, and I loved his professionalism and style of filming, so I asked him for this project as well.”

For Lucas, the Rotterdam scene is a supportive environment where musicians champion each other’s work. “When you play a show, there are always a lot of musician friends who will show up to check you out and support you. Blogs like 3voor12 and Muziscene have also been really supportive of my releases. It’s like one big, mildly chaotic family”.

Looking ahead, Lucas is brimming with creative plans. “I never really stop writing music”, he says. “I’m planning to release an EP or maybe even a full-length album this winter. There’s also an instrumental album ready and mixed, but that’s still kind of a secret, haha. For now, we’re focused on the Calls from the Hull festival. Also, maybe I’ll finally stop hoarding synths—but probably not”.

He also recommends diving deeper into Rotterdam’s music scene. “This city has a reputation for being a post-punk haven. You should check out Tramhaus, Neighbours Burning Neighbours, and Library Card. And for songwriters, Alicia Breton Ferrer and Kamiel Thomas are making incredible music. Honestly, there’s so much talent here you might need a second playlist just for Rotterdam.”

With his dedication, Lucas Thijs continues to push creative boundaries, producing music that reaches audiences beyond the city. As his work evolves, it offers a glimpse of even greater possibilities on the horizon, and we will be watching 🙂