Biography

Black Oak is a band formed around singer-songwriters Geert van der Velde (The Black Atlantic) and Thijs Kuijken (I am Oak). Just like the name of the band is a synthesis of both songwriters' other band names, so too the music a synthesis of the best that both The Black Atlantic and I am Oak have to offer musically. In 2015 Black Oak wrote and recorded their debut album Equinox which is released in May of 2016. Just like the equinox is the moment that night and day are of exact equal length, so too Black Oak's album encompasses the moods of night and day. I am Oak's moody, nocturnal folk blends perfectly with the skyward day time grandeur of The Black Atlantic's melodies. Black Oak's music is full of this contrast. Beautiful, earthly acoustic guitar work and soaring melodies create a balanced atmosphere. And then of course there's that magic combination of two of indie folk's distinct voices working together in the best tradition of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver. Equinox received some great reviews, German newspaper Bild wrote: The North American folk tradition - especially Simon & Garfunkel, but also more recent examples such as Milk Carton Kids or Fleet Foxes - may serve as a benchmark here. Yet acts "Equinox" neither aspire risch epigonal nor frumpy. But always like a - especially in the outstanding second album half - highly successful, timeless folk-pop work of two great singers and musicians.