DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE SENTENCE
Always looking for perfection, never satisfied.
FAVORITE PLACES
Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and last but definitely not least: home.
FAVORITE BANDS
The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Mae, Acceptance, Brad Paisley, Falling Up, Deep Purple, Copeland, John Mayer, The Starting Line, Queen, Craig's Brother, The Afters, Saosin, Jeremy Larson
FAVORITE VENUES TO PLAY
Melkweg, Amsterdam
O2 Academy, London
FAVORITE QUOTES
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and we miss it, but we aim too low and reach it."
- Michelangelo
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end." - U. Le Guin
FAVORITE FOOD
Any Dutch and Italian
FAVORITE DESTINE SONG
Stay
FAVORITE DESTINE LYRIC
All The People
FAVORITE DESTINE SONG TO PLAY LIVE
In The End
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT
Spiders
WHAT'S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU?
One month every year I live like a total hermit, writing songs 24/7 hidden in a house on a secret spot deep in the woods. I don't see any people except for at the grocery store, and if I'd actually see people they wouldn't recognise me because of the beard.
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Keith Richards - Life
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FAVORITE MOVIES
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Diamonds Are
Forever
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Gladiator
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The Notebook
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Master And
Commander
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Limitless
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Blackbook
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IF YOU GOT LOCKED UP WITH ONE CREW MEMBER IN A ROOM FOR THREE DAYS, WHO WOULD YOU WANT IT TO BE AND WHY?
Unfair question, but I'd go with Banus because after a couple of days he would finally give in to my beggings to finally hear the amazing topsecret songs that he's wrote in the last few years.
FOR WHAT COULD SOMEONE WAKE YOU UP ANYTIME?
For a good brand new melody in my head.
IN WHAT WAY DID YOU GROW THE MOST AS A MUSICIAN THE PAST FEW YEARS?
I think I learned a few things about how to write a good song, and how to make songs better because of suitable instrumentation/arrangements.
IN WHAT WAY WOULD YOU LIKE TO DEVELOP YOURSELF THE NEXT YEARS?
Continuing to try to write songs that move other people as well as myself.
DUMBEST QUESTION SOMEONE HAS EVER ASKED YOU?
"Oh my god, Russell Brand! How is Katy Perry doing?"
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ROBIN ABOUT THE DESTINE CREW
Chris | Sound Engineer
When I was in high school I tried to keep track of all the good young bands in the Dutch punkrock scene and came across a band called Phaedra List, guitarist Chris recorded all their music at home. I was impressed because their recordings sounded way better than mine. I never met Chris until 4 years later when he'd become live sound engineer - and his sound blew me away again.
Viktor ‘Banus’ | Light Engineer & Merch Guy
Banus has been with us from the very beginning: he was probably one of the first that predicted big things for us and encouraged us. His enthusiasm about our music seems endless and I'm thankful for that. He's usually one of the first people that I show my new song ideas to. And most important: I álways have a great time when he's around.
Bart ‘Goofus’ | Light Engineer & Merch Guy
Bart used to be the drummer for the punkrock band I was in during high school and we share so many hilarious and adventurous memories from that time. When the moment came we needed a new crew member he was my first choice and because of his take-it-easy lifestyle and great dedication he makes sure he's at as many of our shows as possible. He's an absolute champion in thinking positively which is always extremely welcome when on the road. It's so awesome to take one of my best hometown friends with us on tour.
Gert-Jan ‘DJ Wild’ | Tour Manager & Monitor Engineer
I never understand how someone could have enough time to work as a tour manager, work for a big record label, for a merchandise company, a concert venue ánd studies music management. Maybe that's why there's noone that appreciates beer like he does. One of the most modest, funny and kind people I've ever met.
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FAVORITE ALBUMS
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The Beatles - Revolver
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Mae - The Everglow
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Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
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Chris August -
No Far Away
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Paramore - Riot!
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The Starting Line - Direction
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WHAT MUSICAL EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
Gibson Les Paul Custom
FGN Les Paul
FGN Telecaster
Epiphone Les Paul standard
Landola acoustic
Fender jazz bass
Sponnagel upright piano
BEST TOUR EXPERIENCE
- Hanging out in a Hong Kong beach bar at night, looking out on the stunning skyline (2011)
- First ever tour in an own nightliner bus (UK 2011)
- Afterparty of the Stars music video shoot in a motel in Fresno, California (2009)
- Japan tour with Mayday Parade, Anarbor, The Summer Set and With The Punches. (2011)
WEIRDEST TOUR EXPERIENCE
Laurens not daring to go to sleep because of a bat flying through the hotel hallway (Czech Republic 2010)
MOTTO
- What you give is what you get
- Always try harder, work harder and take it one step further than anybody else would
- Talent doesn't exist; only passion does
WORST MOMENT ON STAGE
- Touching a power cable and almost getting electrocuted during soundcheck (Belgium 2007)
- Tripping over a cable and landing on my back during the first song of a show (Milano 2010)
HARDEST THING OF BEING IN A BAND
There's really only one thing: being away from your loved ones
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY AND WHY?
Roadtripping through places you've never seen, without a destination but with good company
WEIRDEST DREAM
When I was young I dreamt I got chased by a bear and when I woke up under the blankets I actually thought I was swallowed and trapped in his stomach.
BEST GIFT FROM A FAN
When people actually love and understand our music and lyrics that I put my heart and soul into, that's the greatest gift
SMALL OR BIG SHOWS?
They can't be big enough for me
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ROBIN ABOUT HUBRECHT:
I first met Hubrecht when our former bands played a show together in Middelburg, probably in 2004. We instantly hit it off because we we're into the same kind of music and knew we were equally passionate about building up a band with a sky-is-the-limit attitude. When I wrote some songs in 2006 I had a really strong feeling I hád to ask him to play in the band because I never met anyone that looked at playing in a band so similar to the way I did. It's still the same way now: we can talk for hours about future plans and strategies, it always gets me excited. Apart from the band stuff I also see him as one of my best friends, extremely optimistic, really punctual, a great listener, and very honest. |
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ROBIN ABOUT LAURENS:
The first time I met Laurens I thought I had ended up in some weird Hollywood comedy. I just couldn't believe that somebody like him actually exists. I remember thinking that the combination of his care-free attitude, his eternal youth, smart humour, sense of adventure, and Don Juan qualities made him easily the funniest and most interesting character I'd ever met. I feel we share some kind of weird form of humour too. Laurens is the biggest partystarter ever, but on the hand also someone you can have great heart to heart talks with. Living together with him (and Hubrecht) taught me to be a better person on so many levels. |  |
ROBIN ABOUT TOM:
I first saw Tom around 2003 when both of our former bands played a show together in a small town called Geertruidenberg. I remember I liked his tight playing, stage presence and backing vocals, and a couple of years he was still definitely the first one on my list. I guess we're total opposites of eachother: he likes not to think too much; i tend to think too much. Tom is a champion in having a good time, not worrying about anything and can work very hard. |  |
ROBIN ABOUT JORDY:
Although he's been playing in the 'punkrock scene' for years now, I didn't get to know JD before he started playing with our great friends The Hot Stewards a couple of years ago. He's a really genuine, modest, kind and grateful type of guy, and has exactly the kind of 'American' rock drumming style that I love. I'm so glad he's with us now, and because of the fact that he enjoys it so much he reminds me how lucky I am to be in a band like this. |
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WHAT ADVISE CAN YOU GIVE STARTING GUITARISTS/SINGERS WHO WANT TO BE LIKE YOU?
Only make the music you love, keep your dreams clearly in sight, and spend every living hour on getting better at it.
BEING UNABLE TO TOUCH YOUR GUITAR FOR A YEAR OR GOING BUNGEE JUMPING?
In that case I'd only touch a piano, till the moment I can't hold myself back any longer and just go for the quick bungee to get it over with.
WHAT LYRIC IS THE BEST YOU’VE WRITTEN?
Some of my favorites, in chronological order:
"So did we end up here tonight? Lost ourselves with open eyes. If we cannot take this leap, we're a promise we can't keep; we will never make it out alive."
(Burn - 2009)
"We are the people of a generation lost in time, not knowing which truth to believe. We are the ones that live without a future or desire, nothing to lose or to achieve."
(Spiders - 2010)
"I can't turn the dark to light and you can't see where losing this fight. Well I won't bring the dead to life, it's time for me I ask you you politely."
(Stay - 2011)
"I wanna move rivers, spread them till it rains; gonna let the tide run into my veins. I wanna get my eyes peeled, know what to do; and somewhere I'll be listening to you."
(All The People - 2012)
WHICH DESTINE SONG IS THE HARDEST TO SING?
Songs that have lots of highs and lows can be tough, such as Where Are You Now and The Awakening.
IN WHAT WAY DOES THE MUSIC YOU LISTEN OR LISTENED TO REFLECT THE MUSIC YOU WRITE?
I tend to listen to music with hooky melodies, I guess that's always been the main thing that does it for me. Like The Beatles and Beach Boys when I grew up, the punkrock in highschool, or my Billboard guilty pleasures. I see writing a good song as combinining a simple memorable vocal melody with the right chord progression: if that fits, everything else will fall into place.
IF YOU HAD A CAT, WHAT WOULD ITS NAME BE?
This year I'm moving in with my girlfriend and her 2 cats - so after living without cats for 6 years I'll finally be whole again. Their names are way too long to mention here by the way because they're aristocrats.
FIRST GUITAR
My mother told me I was 8 years old when I asked her to let me attend guitar lessons. A year later my little fingers were big enough for an adult guitar and I played on her nylon-stringed acoustic for 3 years. When I was 11 and went to high school I bought an Epiphone Les Paul, my first electric. And spent every minute after school on playing Offspring and Pennywise songs.
DREAM GUITAR
For all I know I already own it: I think my tobacco sunburst Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1979 is a piece of art. It's 7 years older than me but I'm sure she will eventually outlive me by far, kickstarting careers of other musicians that haven't been born by now.
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Wesel, Eselrock
Oosterhout, Parkfeest
London, Club Face Down @ Scala