I Am Oak are not a new band, more a discovery on a late night exploration amongst the less verntured musical depths on offer via the web. I was on the hunt for something a bit different, a bit more ‘out there’ and experimental, this semed to fit the bill. The band is formed around the central figure of dutch singer-songwriter Thijs Kuijken who manipulates minimalistic sounds into complex gentle sound arrays using voice as the main backbone complemented by guitar, banjo, organ, minimalistic beats and samples, all put together from his bedroom.
Thijs may be the sort of figure that enjoys hoovering up everyday sounds for manipulation which is probably a dis-service as his compositions are a lot more considered leaving him straddled between indie folk and experimental minimalism. It’s easy to assume that mathematics forms a basis for such complex compositions but the inspiration is normally that of the natural world around us as it is for him.
His discography consists of his 2008 self released Sou Ka EP (which I came across) and the CD Ols Songd. In May 2010 he released On Claws.
The band’s name is derived from the village in which Thijs grew up in, named Bergeijk. This name contains the Dutch word for Oak (‘eik’). It also expresses Thijs’ love and fascination for nature.
Ohayo: [audio:http://www.box.net/shared/static/f0finvkoi4.mp3|titles=Ohayo|artists=I Am Oak]
Western Springs: [audio:http://www.box.net/shared/static/88z2yprfju.mp3|titles=Western Springs|artists=I Am Oak]