Adriaan De Roover: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix

Establishing a collage of influence and musical intuition is no simple feat, it can take time for an artist to establish and forge an identity which is unique and representative of their own character. Adriaan De Roover is a Belgian experimental musician who has just released a new album called 'Leaves'. The album is a freeform piece of work which layers instrumentation and soundscapes in an abstract and yet enchanting manner. It's described as being a piece of work which balances both "peace and restlessness". 

Perhaps better known under the guise of Oaktree his music has previously been championed and supported by the likes of Bonobo, Mary Anne Hobbs and Lefto. His sound is diverse and draws upon elements of the fourth world, establishing comparisons with new age musicians and the likes of Jon Hassell and Brian Eno. 

Adriaan describes his new album as follows: 

“‘Leaves’ was written between 2016 and 2018, mainly in a cabanage in the Ardennes, in solitude and around nature. Although there are some outward moments, I tried to make music that finds as much beauty in small gestures, in doubt and in honesty (above all). I hope you can get lost in it, just like I did, and maybe then, some moments of beauty might reveal themselves.”

We invited him to record a mix which showcases the diversity of his own musical personality, his take on sound and sculpture. He picks tracks by the likes of Bloc Party, Rosalia, Photek, Nicolas Jaar, Alice Coltrane and Anenon. 

Listen and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I am Adriaan, I live and work in Antwerp and I make music, mainly with a computer.

What does your music sound like?

I hope it sounds real and honest.

Tell us about the Monday mixtape you’ve put together for us.

I figured out what I would like to hear on a slow Monday morning, and i tried to keep it a bit light and optimistic 🙂 It’s all music that I really love, and it was a joy to put the tracks together. There were many more I wanted to include, but this felt like a good balance. I only recently discovered Low, they are featured twice. The tracks by Anenon and Alice Coltrane take me back to the Nepal mountains, where we were hiking with a group of friends for two weeks, exactly one year ago. 

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

A tree, a bench and a sun.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

A one hour Monday morning walk or train ride with the autumn sun on your face.

Where was it recorded?

Mainly in my bed and on my couch, on a laptop with headphones. 

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

My brother (and his Soulseek folders).

What were the first and last records you bought?

I started dj’ing when i was 17 or so, mostly drum & bass stuff like High Contrast –  ‘Days Go By’ is one of the first I bought. Now, I’m now buying less and less records on vinyl, I just find myself hardly listening to them properly. But I recently got two lovely records from r beny and Gentleman Losers as a present from the guy who runs Belgian label Dauw, and I really enjoyed listening to those. I should have put them in the mix.

What are you obsessed with at the moment?   

Musically; Nosedrip’s NTS mixes and Stroom, the label he runs. I can’t follow all the releases they put out, but they keep on surprising with so much good stuff.

Buy the new album HERE.