by emma schoors
photo courtesy of blanks
From the summery synths that line “What You Do To Me” to the understated elegance of “I’m Sorry,” Blanks’ debut album Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s OK is a splash of musical radiance.
Netherlands-born Simon de Wit, commonly known as Blanks, didn’t conjure up his first full-length LP in a vacuum. Instead, he took to finding the sweet spot between nostalgia and futurism to make his mark in the music world. Mashing tried-and-true 80’s electronics with fresh vocal techniques, “Chasing After Memories” sounds like running after times long gone, while “Ok To Cry” thematically suggests, “Why don’t we dance to a sad song?” The creeping melancholy of growing up is no stranger to being a thematic backdrop for songs, but Blanks approaches it with a certain, hard to find poise.
We caught up with the blooming musician to find out the specifics of how his first album came to fruition, plus what he hopes listeners take away from his new songs.
Your innovative “STYLESWAP” series has gained massive, worldwide traction. Where did your inspiration to reimagine songs come from?
Blanks: “It happened by accident! At the time I created my 80s cover of ‘Better Now’ by Post Malone, I was listening to a lot of 80s music. On a day of in the studio, I just started playing some chords with a vintage synthesizer, and started singing the lyrics of ‘Better Now’ over it. That sounded so cool I made it into a thing! And the rest is history [laughs]!”
How would you describe your sound, and has it changed over the years?
B: “I would describe it as indie-pop mixed with 80’s new wave! I’ve always loved the music from the 80’s and 90’s, there’s just something nostalgic about it that warms my heart!”
Are there any specific artists or songs that helped you in forming that signature sound?
B: “Songwriting-wise, I love everything Jon Bellion does! Every song he writes just has a vibe to it that touches my soul! Other artists that really inspired me are Tame Impala, Charlie Puth, and Jeremy Zucker.”
“What You Do To Me” is the captivating lead single from your latest project, Nothing Lasts Forever and That’s OK. What was the songwriting process like for this song?
B: “The songwriting process of ‘What You Do To Me’ was so fun!! I remember writing that chorus over the drums and synths and just listening to it on repeat for a week. I struggled with writing the right verse for the song, but once I had it, I was literally jumping around in the studio [laughs]!”
Speaking of the album, it’s your most ambitious project yet. What was making a full-length LP like?
B: “It was so much fun and took so much more work than I thought it would take at the start [laughs]! My goal with this album was to show my full musical palette. So, besides happy songs, I also started writing slow ballads, like I’m Sorry. I wrote the first song for the album 1.5 years ago. When Covid hit, I started writing more songs, which eventually turned into this album! With more time in the studio, I started working on songwriting and production like I’ve never had before. I really think my best work so far is on this album, and I loved making a body of art with an idea and concept behind it!”
Which song from the record took the longest to write?
B: “‘Dance Like This.’ I just couldn’t figure out a good verse! I seriously wrote 15 verses before I found the perfect sound!! Totally worth it though [laughs]!”
What is the overall message that you hope listeners take from the album?
B: “I hope that if someone puts on the album, the music makes them feel something. Remind them of happy memories, people or special places, maybe even get a little bit melancholic or sentimental, that would be amazing. And the best thing would be if they’d let the album be a soundtrack to some of their new memories!”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with fans?
B: “I love you guys so much and can’t wait to see you all!!”