ANIMA
Uncovering Life’s Mysteries Through Music
Music is the heartbeat of existence, a universal language that articulates the depth of life’s experiences in melodies that resonate across the soul.
Welcome 🖤
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey of artistic exploration.
These short interviews are designed to forge a deeper connection between artists and their tribe. Whether you consider yourself an artist, a promoter, a devoted fan, or someone on the cusp of becoming one, get ready to delve into the fascinating intricacies of the creative mind 👽.
Are you ready to uncover the weird and wonderful world of artistry?
We love the mysteries of life and we try to express it through our music. ANIMA
Say hello to ANIMA, a Drum and Bass duo out of Friesland, now bringing their mystical vibe to the heart of the Gooi region in the Netherlands. In the ordinary world, they are simply known as Stefan and Thijs. These two seasoned musicians found common ground in their shared passion during the sound design studies in Leeuwaarden about a decade ago, and from that moment, they knew their talents were meant to be combined. Their music represents a unique blend of energetic beats, mystical vibes, and harmonious melodies, taking listeners on an adventurous musical journey.
ANIMA’s debut EP, “Hermetic Principles,” dropped in March 2023 under the distinctive Axon Records, a label famous for its dedication to experimental music and for being a haven for the extraordinary amidst the ordinary. Additionally, together, ANIMA and I set out on a shared adventure, bringing to life drum & bass experiences in Hilversum, the Netherlands, a journey that led to the exciting inception of MMNTM — a new chapter in our musical story.
So, the three of us took a moment to sit down and reflect on the journey that led us to this point. In this three-way conversation, we explore the roots of ANIMA’s musical energy, delve into the essence of their unique, mystical vibe, and reveal the first moments when Thijs and Stefan recognised their shared musical path.
And, as always, expect the unexpected 🌀.
Getting to Know ANIMA: Their Music, Their Mysteries 🔮.
Since ANIMA is still on the rise and not many people know about them yet, this is the perfect moment to start uncovering the layers of their project, just like peeling back the layers of an onion to discover what’s inside. Keeping in mind the mysterious vibe around this duo, let’s highlight a fascinating dynamic: both have incredibly supporting girlfriends. Yet when it comes to drum & bass, one is all in, living for the beat, while the other remains indifferent to the genre’s charm.
But this isn’t the essence of what ANIMA is all about. As Stefan briefly states, “We love mystery,” a feeling Thijs elaborates on, “We love the mysteries of life and we try to express it through our music.” “I think it’s a short and sweet way to sum up what ANIMA is all about,” Thijs added.
The profundity of this statement is immense, echoed in their thoughtfully engineered sound design. Consider the track Mystica with its lyrical encouragement to “let your mind be free, explore the borders of your reality” — a perfect reflection of their core essence.
Delving deeper, Stefan & Thijs began to identify key themes that define their music: “Psychology, magic, the transformation of life’s magic and beauty ✨ into musical compositions, the full spectrum of emotions, the depth of existence, our atmospheres are as deep and complex as life itself.” Then Thijs emphasised, “We steer clear of anything superficial because that’s not what we’re about. Our music mirrors the depth and authenticity of our own lives.”
And this uplifting, high-energy and euphoric vibe is exactly what ANIMA brings to everyone listening and to the dance floor 🪩.
✨ Coincidence or synchronicity? What does this slip even mean?
In March 2023, ANIMA marked the launch of their debut EP with a Drum & Bass Release Event. The night featured an outstanding line up of artists and drew in a wide audience from different walks of life. It was a celebration filled with dancing, fervour, and engaging conversations. However, it took an unexpected turn when, as Thijs recalled, “during our own fucking event, right in the middle of our set, the fire alarm went on. It was probably the most epic fail one could ever experience.”
“Yet everybody also liked it,” Stefan added optimistically. “Still, it’s not really nice to lose 15 minutes of your set” Thijs interjected, shedding light on his bittersweet emotions. “We were playing, and suddenly, the lights went out, the sound stopped,” Stefan recalled. “And we were just standing there, thinking, ‘What The Fuck?’” Thijs contributed, capturing his initial shock. “I’ll never forget my reaction because a colleague caught it on video. My smile dropped so fast, I didn’t know ‘should I smile or should I cry?’,” Stefan shared, vividly recalling the rollercoaster of emotions he faced.
Obviously, this was something they couldn’t control, yet it still felt like a setback for Stefan and Thijs. “On the day of the event, the venue mentioned there might be smoke issues,” Stefan shared. But really, who pays attention to such warnings when they’re on the brink of achieving one of the most significant milestones in their collective journey? And what are the odds of this happening right in the middle of ANIMA’s set, among six other DJ sets?
One thing is for certain, without this mishap, we wouldn’t have had an epic fail to talk about, because ANIMA had never performed together prior to this event. And what’s even better, this hiccup didn’t stop anyone from enjoying the event. After 15 minutes of people leaving and then coming back inside, the night continued seamlessly as intended.
☯️ Harmonising Mysteries: Exploring ANIMA’s Musical Inspiration
Music is a way of sharing what’s inside us, and so many things inspire and shape that sharing. “Life, along with psychedelics that reveal life’s mysteries, help us see the magic in existence. That’s the essence we aim to capture in our music,” Thijs shared, shedding light on ANIMA’s creative muse. “Incorporating the psychedelic experience into our music, so that others can touch upon these magical feelings without taking psychedelics, is crucial for me,” he further emphasised.
Curiosity led me to ask, “Why specifically Drum & Bass?” “Because Stefan rocks at producing Drum & Bass!” Thijs responded. “The genre is incredibly versatile. With Drum & Bass, you can capture any emotion, from sheer happiness to profound darkness or captivating mystery. It’s flexible enough to fit any mood,” Thijs continued.
It’s only now hitting me that indeed, no other electronic music genre offers such a wide spectrum of emotions. Its versatility is unmatched, allowing endless creative exploration within its bounds.
This discussion also clarifies the roles in ANIMA’s music creation. Any element of psychedelic sound, bird calls, or the sound design evoking nature, along with the profoundness of life translated into fluid baselines, bears Thijs’s signature. Meanwhile, the conversion into the impactful drum & bass beats showcases Stefan’s super power, making their collaboration a harmonious blend of talents.
🌟 The pivotal moment that defined ANIMA’s trajectory
Stefan and Thijs crossed paths during their sound design studies in Leeuwaarden, the Netherlands. Before diving into the world of drum & bass, both had a background in hardcore music. While Stefan was also dabbling in drum and bass experimentation, Thijs was actively making strides in the hard core scene. However, as time went on, Thijs began to realise that he couldn’t fully resonate with the vibe and scene anymore. With a desire for something new, Thijs’s disconnection created the ideal conditions for the fusion that followed.
“I remember we were standing around with Marco, another classmate, discussing our musical preferences,” Stefan recalled fondly. “I mentioned that I had been experimenting with both hardcore and drum and bass lately. That’s when I began transitioning between hardcore and drum & bass,” he continues. “So, I ended up making a very cheesy drum & bass track and showed it to Marco and Thijs, and they were like, ‘Oh, nice’,” Stefan chuckled.
“Yeah, we went for lunch or grabbed a beer, and I can still picture that little table by the canal in Leeuwarden,” Thijs recalled with a smile. “Maarten and Marco were there too. Stefan’s vibe struck me as incredibly relaxed and down-to-earth, yet he was the best producer among us. I truly appreciate it when someone has such talent but remains humble and down-to-earth,” Thijs continued, admiration evident in his tone.
“I discovered Spor and shared it with Thijs, only to find out he already knew about it,” Stefan recounted. “Not at all!” Thijs interjected with a grin. “Actually, I know Spor because of you. You introduced me to his music, and that’s when my mind was blown 🤯,” Thijs added. It was actually a track by Spor — ‘Breath in Scream out’ that sparked Thijs’s conversion into the world of Drum & Bass.
Perhaps Stefan’s assumption that Thijs was already familiar with Spor before sharing the track indicated an unconscious bond forming between them. Today, the ANIMA project bears the fruits of a mind-blowing EP, with new tracks currently in the works. And to top it all off, a collaboration track with the artist Binary has been completed and eagerly awaits its release to the public.
Yet, the lives of these two musicians are also brimming with their solo projects. Thijs is pouring his energy into LUMINI, a down-tempo venture infused with a deep, meditative, spiritual essence. Meanwhile, Stefan is dedicatedly pushing forward with the continuation of his project, KHRONOS.
“I’ve learned the beauty in continually evolving my musical tastes, rather than staying fixated to a single genre simply because it’s familiar and comfortable,” Thijs explained. “For some artists, their music is their main source of income, but that was never my goal. The challenge arises once you’ve established a fan base within a specific musical niche — that’s where your income comes from. It becomes incredibly difficult to evolve to a different genre or style because you’re reliant on your fan base’s support, and there’s always the risk they might not appreciate the new direction you’re exploring,” he concluded.
For Thijs, making music that no longer resonates with him would be an absolute nightmare.
Intimacy as one of life’s mysteries 💫
Every MMNTM Interview concludes with a glimpse into the artist’s unique quirks and desires. One unconventional method I use to unearth this is by imagining ourselves walking into the artist’s bedroom and surprising them with something to wake them up. In the Khronos Interview, which focused on Stefan’s solo project, we discovered what would inspire him to jump out of bed.
What would make Thijs jump out of bed in the middle of the night?” A quick and candid response to this question was: “Sex!” This embodies one of life’s profound mysteries — a deeply personal exploration where two individuals connect on the most intimate level, reflecting ANIMA’s essence.
And that’s a wrap on our quick chat with ANIMA. Make sure to stay connected with them on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t miss out on their debut EP, immerse yourself in their incredible music and show them some love with a big thumbs up, because they truly deserve it.
MMNTM is grateful for the opportunity to delve into the world of these unique musicians, uncovering some of their less-known personality traits, uncomfortable experiences and surprising sources of inspiration.
🗓️ Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated MMNTM II Event on June 22nd in Hilversum, a charming city in the Netherlands. Stay tuned for the first official updates coming your way soon. If you happen to be around, don’t miss our Hello Drum & Bass — March Meet-Up in Hilversum, where you can learn how to join us in co-creating the MMNTM Event!
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ADRIANA
