Merel van Hoek (1994) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer based in the Netherlands.

Inspired by life, the process of songwriting always starts with an existential question, a longing to belong. Merel’s instrumental indie-pop sound guides you through melancholic musical landscapes; with ambient guitar parts, lyrical melodies and gritty electronics she is influenced by artists such as Radiohead, Tamino and Ólafur Arnalds.

 

In the spring of 2023, Merel will release her first solo record at Sonna Records.

Collaborations on the album include singer Sanne Rambags, drummer Nicky Hustinx (Weval, Fink, Wende) and others.

The EP is co-produced and mixed by Pieterjan Coppejans (Eefje de Visser, Sylvie Kreusch).

 

Merel previously composed, performed and released two albums: Everything is Coloured (2019) and We Were the Moon (2021) with her neoclassical popband Eskina.

 

“Merel is becoming one of the coolest composers of The Netherlands." - Marzio Scholten

 

About We Were the Moon:

 

"Enchanted instrumental pop" - Jazzthing (DE)

 

"Rarely have I listened to an album that makes such an impression because of its inspiring sincerity. We Were the Moon by Eskina could very well become the world, jazz or pop album of 2021. Really splendid music!"

- Music Frames (NL)

 

"On the recently released We Were The Moon, Eskina has found a nice middle ground in the border area between classical chamber music and atmospheric pop." - Nederlands Dagblad (NL)

 

''Perfect synthesis between different musical genres" - Rootstime (BE)