DI-RECT release “Soldier On”
DI-RECT inventively filter elements of rock, soul, pop, and indie through their own distinct vocabulary, one forged by a decade-spanning friendship and trust. Emerging from the other side of meteoric stardom, identity crises, creative dust-ups and the ongoing challenge of integrating five radically different personalities, this eclectic Dutch quintet has embraced a newfound creative abandon, less preoccupied of what they are, and more with what they could become.
Their new single, “Soldier on”, is about courage. It’s an ode to anyone who dares to stand out, and claim their place in this fear-ridden world we’re living in. And this also shows in this brand new video. DI-RECT are touring throughout Europe this year. The video narrates three parallel stories, centred around three characters. Each of them has a bruised soul. It may be a trauma, a sense of inferiority or another kind of inner suffering that they experience, often unnoticed by the world outside.
This theme is translated into film in a stylized, yet meaningful manner. In keeping with Stasquid’s idiom, the cinematography is aesthetic, almost fashion-like. The images, however, are honest and straightforward. The pain is unadorned – it is shown for what it is. Director Jamel Armand sometimes literally wants his audience to peep through the door during his characters’ most private, heart rending moments. Moments of solitude that often take place behind closed doors. Many of us will recognize this to some extent. The objective is for anyone to whom this genuinely applies to feel encouraged and understood. There is no need to hide or be ashamed.
If you take the history between Marcel Veenendaal (vocals), Frans ‘Spike’ van Zoest (vocals/guitars), Bas van Wageningen (bass), Jamie Westland (drums), and Paul Jan Bakker (guitars) into account, it’s a remarkable thing to consider; a collection of colorful individuals that isn’t just operating at the height of their creative powers, but doing so with unprecedented success. They won a Dutch Edison Award for their 2017 album Rolling With The Punches and played their biggest shows yet at Pinkpop and AFAS Live.
Ever since scoring a number one hit with “Times Are Changing” in 2009, sparked by Veenendaal’s charismatic voice, DI-RECT have come to define success as something bigger than just metrics or awards could explain. They are a band perpetually driven by the prospect of ‘why not?’, performing sweeping arena-sized romps and intimate house shows alike. No matter the setting, you can always count on DI-RECT to provide a dynamic, combustible mix of crowd favorites and daredevil experimentalism.
For more about DI-RECT, check out their WEBSITE and their FACEBOOK page
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