Haevn releases Wide Awake

The multi-talented Dutch compositional duo of Jorrit Kleijnen and Marijn van der Meer, HAEVN, present their latest album “Wide Awake” due for release October 11th on Nettwerk.

With this new album and next chapter, HAEVN opens the unique union between the two musicians to everyone. “Working together was a way of comforting ourselves and digesting life” Marijn states. “We’re honest to each other, our fans, and our partners. It’s the only way to make a true connection. We believe that music, in this case ours, creates a pathway to resonate with a much deeper emotional layer. We feel like we’ve done that with this body of work.”

The duo describes “Wide Awake” as their most autobiographical piece to date, born out of deeply personal and profound experiences brought to life through a painstaking process of depicting and distilling their “warts-and-all” approach and fully transparent writing then balancing its weight and impact with detailed, delicate and dexterous composition, allowing all elements to shine properly and remain an absorbing listen for an ever-growing audience. The album is co-produced with the acclaimed Tim Bran (London Grammar, Aurora and many more.)

Expanding on the conception of the album, Marijn explains, “I was ill for three years in my twenties, and I was in a relationship at the same time. I was not able to get out of bed and move freely. My girlfriend showed unbelievable patience to sit next to that bed for three years and then suffer the disappointment of me getting better and still not being able to stand out, leave my bed, and live. That was the moment she decided, ‘I have to break up with you since you’re well but you’re afraid to live’. I needed that moment. I started traveling alone with my guitar in Europe and playing in train stations. I found a way to live again. You should be grateful for these difficult seasons in life rather than being sad. It gave me the courage I needed, and it’s inspired many of these songs.”

The music reflects the pair’s maturation as artists and as individuals. It’s a journey of growth, self-love, self-reflection, and compassion towards yourself and others. On “Wide Awake” HAEVN have the confidence to make bold choices that they’ve not had to date, resulting in not only their most autobiographical work but their most ambitious music too.

The effect of this journey and growth can be clearly heard across the album. The duo’s blended dynamics define “Promise.” Piano, deftly finger-picked guitar, and artful strings stitch together a warm sonic backdrop as the vocals practically melt into the production. I

The single “Great Mother” is a focal point of the record and a major artistic statement with bold intentions. It’s a duet the pair wrote together with Mozambican singer Neco Novellas, who is both a friend and past collaborator on stand-out track “Trade it for the Night.” As “Great Mother” begins, a rapturous chant heralds in an organic beat punctuated by the chimes of keys before a lush chorus opens. “I read a quote that said, ‘take your time off, because nature also doesn’t blossom 365 days a year’,” recalls Jorrit. “I thought we should write a song about this society that’s not living at the pace of nature. Most of us are doing the opposite. It creates awareness of environmental problems without pointing a finger. The world is beautiful as it is, so let’s tune into its natural pace.”

This band is all about collaboration,” Jorrit adds. “Everything starts with Marijn and me but is carried so strongly by our band members Bram Doreleijers, Robin van Baaren and Illan Voshol. “

Together the whole band share an intensive collaboration where respect, boundaries, and sensitivity for each other are key elements and the basis to inspire each other. “If we are able to convey the pure essence of a song, as once birthed in the studio live on stage to our audience, it feels like pure magic.”

In 2024, HAEVN sold out their complete Dutch tour, played Lowlands festival and they will continue to perform at some of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe, including Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, Le Trianon in Paris, and Admiralspalast in Berlin.