Mirrors by WAAN

WAAN represents the coming together of accomplished saxophonist Bart Wirtz and keyboard magician Emiel van Rijthoven. As a pair of self-confessed tech nerds hailing from The Netherlands, the duo finally released their debut album, entitled "Echo Echo," on Sonar Kollektiv in 2023, some thirteen years after their initial meeting. The profoundly positive reaction to the LP sent this two-man hi-tech jazz outfit on a journey that they hadn’t quite anticipated. The album not only received support in both national newspapers and on international radio shows, but was also twice nominated for an Edison Award - the Dutch equivalent of the Grammys!

Contemplating how to follow up on this initial success, in July of last year, Emiel and Bart retreated to a house in the middle of the peaceful Dutch island of Texel to work on their forthcoming sophomore album, entitled "We Want WAAN." Their sojourn in this idyllic setting provided the space for new musical directions to be taken via open-ended freestyle jams that allowed much-needed improvisation and spontaneity.

One of the first results of this newfound freedom was "Mirrors." It’s a track that’s centered around the novel idea of connecting the studio harmonizer to the saxophone’s effects rig. This combines well with the Prophet synth stabs that open up the song, which are in turn complemented perfectly by a double time, frenetic bass & drum work out, courtesy of Matteo Mazzù and Mark Schilders respectively - sometimes in 5/4, sometimes in 6 (for the geeks among you!). The result is a track that is at once vigorous yet pensive as Bart’s insistent sax work is topped off by some unexpected audience handclaps and enthusiastic reactions.

WAAN - Mirrors
Release Date 11th December 2025
Label Sonar Kollektiv

Tracklist
1. WAAN - Mirrors