Inspired #322: The Day
Photo credit: Nanne Spielmann
We catch up with Laura Loeters of Antwerp and Hamburg-based dream-pop duo, The Day, to talk about the band’s call to action single, ‘Empty’ and some of the things that inspire her.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
That’s a good but difficult one! The list would go on and on of artists that inspire me, but for now I would stick to these three:
Eefje de Visser - She’s a Dutch artist and I am a fan from day one. Her sound, her songwriting and her performances really inspire me. She has something magical in her music, which makes you want to listen to it over and over again.
Kae Tempest - Ever since the time we supported Kae on their show in Amsterdam, I am intrigued by them. The power of their words and the
storytelling is really phenomenal. It grabs you and hits you in the face. Especially the album “The Book of Traps and Lessons” was a great
inspiration for my own songwriting.
Big Thief - Adrienne’s voice is one of a kind. It has so many facets and the music has so many layers, that every time you listen to it, you will discover
something new. That inspires me to dig deeper into our own songs while writing and producing them.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
One of my favorite films is Garden State. I love everything about it. The storyline, the music. It is quirky and funny but also melancholic and sad. It’s
the whole vibe for me. I’m also a big fan of coming-of-age films. Young people figuring out the world with themselves in it inspire me.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
The city I live in right now, Antwerp! I moved here two years ago and I love living here. It’s creative in so many different areas and it radiates calmness.
I already get inspired by just walking down the streets and taking everything in. But also Hamburg, the city where Gregor lives inspires me, because we
produced and recorded a lot of our songs there.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
My sister. She is my best friend and we have such a deep connection. I am really proud of all the things she already achieved and the new exciting steps
she’s about to take. We always have each others backs. Our song ‘Grow’ is about her and how difficult it sometimes is for me to see her all grown up
making her own decisions without me being there as her big sister to protect her, to care for her. It’s that feeling of “letting go” of your childhood.
What were your inspirations when writing ‘Empty’?
The young people. Our new generation. Those people that need to be heard by our governments and the media. ‘Empty’ is an expression of our
disillusionment and exhaustion, we ask ourselves why voices that deny climate catastrophe are given such a disproportionate amount of space. Why
an incredible number of activists of Fridays for Future are denied relevance and competence and why large protests are trivialised until they no longer
seem to carry any weight. People need to listen more to the youth!
How would you like to inspire people?
By writing songs that tell little stories about our lives that other people can relate to. Things that are important to us, from moments in our every day life
to subjects that go far beyond and affect our future. Stories that let people think and reflect on their own lives and hopefully inspire them.
Interview by Karla Harris