Praised by The New York Times as a “brilliant harpist,” the instrument sounds like never before when Remy van Kesteren (1989) plays. Remy developed into an internationally acclaimed artist and won numerous awards and competitions. But when he turned 25, he knew: this wasn’t it. Not anymore. Not entirely.
With three previously released singles and a performance at the most recent edition of Noorderslag, Remy already offered a glimpse of a new side of himself. A new side that fully comes into its own on his new album Leave What You Know, released today via V2.
This is Remy’s seventh album—and whether by coincidence or not, it took no less than seven years to complete. Remy had several demos that had long been left unfinished. The music he had released up to that point was instrumental, but during the creation of this album, Remy realized he was writing actual songs. Songs, however, that lacked a melody, lyrics, and vocals—though they clearly seemed to be asking for them.
So he made the decision to reach out to some of his favorite vocalists, including Robin Kester, Kim Janssen, Pitou, Marcel Veenendaal (DI-RECT), Someone/Tessa Rose Jackson, Luwten, Nana Adjoa, Banji, and Roufaida. He worked with each of them individually to try and complete the demos, but because each artist had their own unique approach, the process often resulted in entirely new work. Remy was also encouraged—for the first time—to write his own lyrics.
Speaking about the collaborations, Remy says: “I’m convinced that the most interesting work lies beyond what you already know. And I love a challenge. Collaborating with others—especially on something as personal as a song—was a vulnerable and humbling process.” The album has given him a lot: new insights, and new friendships.
It may well be the most important album of his life so far. Because with this way of working, he left everything behind more than ever before—without knowing where it would lead. The creation process was a long journey, during which he let go of his current career path and the sense of certainty that came with it. The consequences have been far-reaching—not just musically, but personally as well.
Remy Van Kesten on 'Leave What You Know'
On a personal level, the process of making the album had a profound impact on Remy’s entire life, raising all kinds of questions. Was he really giving up his dream life? Or was it only a dream life in the eyes of others? And how do you relate to your surroundings in such a situation? It truly felt like starting over completely—in terms of music, parenthood, relationships, and friendships. Interestingly, many of the guest artists had gone through similar experiences. Sharing those stories felt almost therapeutic—a kind of liberation, and a confirmation that he was on the right path, even without yet knowing exactly where that path would lead. In that sense, this album can be seen both as a closing chapter and as a transition.
The inspiration for the title Leave What You Know comes from exactly that: leaving behind everything you know. But it also reflects how our thinking becomes less open-minded as we get older. “As a child, you look at the world with complete open-mindedness. As we grow older, that fades. We decide what fits us, what we like, and what we reject,” says Remy. For him, curiosity always trumps doubt—and that’s what he followed on his path as a solo artist: taking detours and looking further, to discover what he believed needed to be discovered. “This album is a sign of that personal search—for what lives inside me, and what’s waiting to be let out.”