02/29/2008 18:22

Autumn

Autumn announce new vocalist

Marjan Welman is the new singer of Autumn. She replaces Nienke de Jong, who recently announced her departure from the band.
Within the Dutch rock scene Marjan is considered to be a promising talent with her warm voice and perfect timing. Her recent vocal contribution on the Ayreon album '01011001' received outstanding reviews and shows a singer who stands her ground between a selection of highly acclaimed international vocalists.
Marjan will make her stage debut with Autumn at a number of major summer festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Metal Gothic Palace and Summer Breeze. She will be fully involved in the writing process of the follow up record to 'My New Time'. Marjan will also keep performing with Dutch band Elister.
The band comments the beginning of a new chapter as follows: “We are very proud to welcome Marjan as the new singer of Autumn! As it wasn’t easy to fill the gap Nienke left behind, we took our time to find the best possible replacement. Marjan quickly became one of our favourites. She stole our hearts during the first audition with her enthusiasm and powerful rendition of Autumn songs. After auditioning some other remarkable singers, it became clear Marjan had all the qualities we were looking for. She is one of the best-kept secrets in the Dutch music scene and we are delighted to write the next chapter for the big Autumn book with her.”

Marjan comments her engagement in Autumn as follows: “A little while ago, Jens contacted me and asked if I might be interested in auditioning for Autumn. I was shocked. “Who, me?” I felt honoured that they would consider me a candidate. He sent me 'My New Time' from which I already heard a few songs through myspace. After listening to the entire album once, I realized I wanted to take the amazing opportunity that was right in front of me.

On the day of the audition, car trouble threatened to spoil the party. Luckily, we managed to get the audition started without too much delay. After singing away the remaining nerves I also got the chance to enjoy it all. I was struck by the relaxed atmosphere! On my way back I could only hope that they would pick me, and so they did... To also become a part of Autumn in addition to Elister feels wonderful and I hope that we’ll do great things!”

The following statement is from Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen: "I was already impressed by the very first recording I heard of Marjan back in 2003 when I was recruiting new talent for Ayreon. At that time she hadn't developed her own style yet, but in the meantime she definitely has! A wonderful combination of power and melody, excellent English pronounciation and most important of all, a lot of attitude and emotion. And she's got the looks to go with it. I am known to have a nose for talent, and my bet is on Marjan to be the next big thing. I sure hope she will still be avaliable to work with me in the future!!"

Marjan's biography:

22-year-old Marjan Welman hails from Lichtenvoorde, Holland. A natural born artist, she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t busy singing. Inspired by a multitude of bands and artists from various genres and being very much mood-driven when it comes to her choice of music to listen to, she has developed into an open-minded and versatile vocalist. Marjan on her broad musical taste: “Because of that, I love singing all kinds of music. I’d hate to restrict myself to one particular genre.” With a smile she adds she has “... no ambitions in country, by the way...”
Her love for singing eventually finds a focal point in the band Elister, which she has been involved in from day one for approximately five years now. Elister’s music is best described as a mishmash of groovy rock with a hint of stoner. Furthermore, she’s lent her vocals to progressive rock project Elemental Journey and the band Dialogue, to name a few. Throughout the densely populated Dutch rock music scene, the name Marjan Welman slowly starts ringing some bells.
Fast forwarding to late 2007, she finds herself among a select group of internationally renowned vocalists chosen to appear on Arjen Lucassen’s latest Ayreon release, entitled '01011001'. Marjan: “One of my personal highlights is being asked to sing on '01011001'. Arjen Lucassen has always been one of my favourite artists and getting the chance to work with him was an unbelievable experience for me.” Upon release, Marjan joins Lucassen to promote the album as the sole vocalist during numerous semi-acoustic sessions.
Early 2008, opportunity knocks when Dutch rock band Autumn are looking for a new vocalist and ask her if she’d like to audition for the job. After giving it some thought, she gladly accepts the invitation. Marjan: “After I sang away some remaining nerves I got the chance to enjoy it all. On my way back home I could only hope that they would pick me, and so they did.”
With Autumn’s fourth album entering the pre-production stages soon, some major festival appearances this Summer and new Elister recordings well on their way, 2008 promises to be a year of new challenges for Marjan. She’s looking forward to facing them head on: “To have become a part of Autumn in addition to Elister feels wonderful and I hope that we’ll do great things together!”

(source: Metal Blade)