WE WERE THE MOON

DIGITAL/CD
OUT NOW

"On the recently released We Were The Moon, Eskina has found a nice middle ground in the border area between classical chamber music and atmospheric pop. Bold and exciting."

- Nederlands Dagblad

"Rarely have I listened to an album that makes such an impression because of its inspiring sincerity. We Were the Moon by Eskina could very well become the world, jazz or pop album of 2021. Really splendid music!"

- Music Frames

photo by Juan Carlos Villarroel

everything is coloured

Name: VanHoek
Address: NL

2019

we were the moon

2021

Challenge Records

MUSIC

VIDEO

BIO

photo by Juan Carlos Villaroel

Eskina is a one of a kind instrumental band led by guitarist Merel van Hoek from The Hague. In 2018 they reached the quarter finals of De Grote Prijs van Nederland where they wowed the audience and jury with their heart felt and soulful aesthetic fusing pop and neo-classical genres.

The hauntingly delicate symphonic compositions and the singular instrumentation conjure soundscapes evoking influences ranging from minimalist Philip Glass to British alt rock titans Radiohead. Songs that transport you to worlds of shaded forests and intimate evening firesides.

Their first single ‘At the End of The Sea’ was released in 2017 by the renowned American record label Candyrat Records. Eskina explores the crossover from classical to pop by mixing chamber strings and guitar with evocative electronics. This signature combination became the foundation of their upcoming album: ‘We Were the Moon’, a collaboration with guest artist Maarten Vos and releasing with Challenge Records October 2021.

Line-up

Merel van Hoek (guitar/compositions) Kellen McDaniel (viola)
Berber Heerema (violoncello)
Joop de Graaf (bass)

Mischa Porte (drums)

press kit

"... Guitarist and bandleader Merel van Hoek uses besides bass and drums namely a cello and a viola... The result is an enchanted instrumental pop, in which Kellen McDaniel on viola and cellist Berber Heerema often take the melodic lead..."

- Jazzthing (DE)

PRESS

- Music Frames (NL)

"On the recently released We Were The Moon, Eskina has found a nice middle ground in the border area between classical chamber music and atmospheric pop."

- Nederlands Dagblad (NL)

''Perfect synthesis between different musical genres (...) Very beautiful music, but probably only really for the listener with a broad vision and ear for a classical orchestration, unfortunately."

- Rootstime (BE)

‘’A beautiful sound with intriguing songs and amazing musicians. Well worth listening to.’’

- The Nextgig (NL)