Roald van Oosten
Roald van Oosten songwriter for 'When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other. A new play by Martin Crimp, with Cate Blanchett and Stephen Dillane, directed by Katie Mitchell.
Biography
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The music of Roald van Oosten ranges from pop gems to ghostly theatrical soundscapes. A versatile musician who grew up in Brussels and Haarlem, Roald became well known as the singer-guitarist of the legendary Amsterdam indie band Caesar with whom he performed at Lowlands and Pinkpop, and recorded an album with Steve Albini in Chicago.
His pop sensibility was very well received in the worlds of theatre, film and television. Early 2019 Roald is commissioned by the National Theatre in London to write music for the new Martin Crimp play: When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, directed by Katie Mitchell, starring Cate Blanchett. This was the continuation of an earlier collaboration with Martin Crimp on In The Republic of Happiness, for the Royal Court Theatre.
Other recent collaborations include 'The Tree' by Alexandra Broeder/Frascati Productions, 'Tech II: The life and death of a sex robot' by Firma Mes, 'Stadsastronaut' by Marjolijn van Heemstra, 'Lawrence' by Sadettin Kirmiziyüz/Marjolijn van Heemstra.
His last solo album 'A Stir is in the Air' came out early 2017. It was his second release for V2 Records after Oh Dark Hundred in 2016.
Theatre
A collaboration with De Veenfabriek in 2006 marked the beginning of Roald's foray into composing music for stage and screen. His pop sensibility was very well-received in the worlds of theatre, film, and television. In 2012 playwright Martin Crimp invited Roald to collaborate on his new play: 'In The Republic Of Happiness', which opened in the Royal Court Theatre in London.
"Music like a 30's cabaret curated by Ladytron, underlines the air of forced communal tranquility"
(In The Republic Of Happiness)
Recent projects: 'The Tree' by Alexandra Broeder / Frascati Productions, 'Tech II: The life and death of a sex robot' by Firma Mes, 'When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other' by Martin Crimp / Katie Mitchell, 'Stadsastronaut' by Marjolijn van Heemstra / Theater Rotterdam, 'Lawrence' by Sadettin Kirmiziyüz / Marjolijn van Heemstra, 'Distel' by Michiel de Regt / Orkater, ''Zohre' by Marjolijn van Heemstra / Erik Whien, 'Ondertussen in Casablanca' by Nationale Toneel / Jeroen de Man, 'Only the crows know where the children are' by Alexandra Broeder / Zuidelijk Toneel, 'In the republic of happiness' by Martin Crimp / Royal Court Theatre
Film
As a film/ documentary film composer Roald's music always has a sharp sense of melody, and a bit of mystery. For example the kaleidoscopic soundtrack for De Van Waveren Tapes, the first feature documentary by film director Wim van der Aar.
"With its road-movie vibe, the score is composed of slide guitars, melancholic, echoeing soundscapes, and a wealth of other sounds."
('De Grens by Thomas Kaan / VPRO)
Recent projects: 'To the moon and back' by Sara Kolster / Zapp.nl, 'Diva, The Actress Who Has Upset Hollywood' by Do Groen / Erik Brouwer / Bern, 'Out of sight' by Sara Kolster / Zesbaans. 'Room on the roof' by Sara Kolster / Jan Rothuizen. 'Love Radio' by Eefje Blankevoort / Anoek Steketee. 'Groenland' by Tomas Kaan / Endemol, PVDA television promo, Arnold Verbruggen / Prospektor. 'De Grens' Television series by Tomas Kaan / VPRO / Hazazah. 'De Van Waveren Tapes', a documentary by Wim van der Aar / VPRO / Hazazah.
Podcast / Radio
Miscellaneous adventures in music, podcast, radioplay and such.
Recent projects: 'Stadsastronaut' by Marjolijn van Heemstra / VPRO, 'Sør' by Marjolijn van Heemstra / VPRO, 'Mijn vader de Sterrenkijker' / Maartje Duin, 'Zeedrift' / Prosper de Roos, 'Vetplantliefde' / Bente Hamel. Guest programmer music for Festival De Keuze, Schouwburg Rotterdam. Featuring Beginners, Snowapple, Gallowstreet, and Awkward I to complete this intriguing and inspiring festival'