From Shanty rocker to Solo Artist: A New Chapter for Santiano’s Timsen

Hans-Vunge Hinrichsen, widely recognized as Timsen, a founding member of the renowned shanty rock band Santiano, has ventured into a solo career, releasing his album “Vun Here” on April 25th.This marks a meaningful departure for the musician, who is now exploring his musical roots in Low German.

A Sold-Out Debut in Hamburg: “Gruenspan” Comes Alive

Timsen’s inaugural solo concert at Hamburg’s “Gruenspan” was met with excited reception.The venue was nearly sold out, creating an electric atmosphere fueled by the warm early summer weather. The audience was eager to dance and celebrate Timsen’s new musical direction.

I’m overwhelmed.
Timsen,at his Hamburg concert

Despite his initial surprise at the turnout,Timsen quickly shifted the focus to the music,promising to connect with the audience later.

“Vun Here”: Authentic Stories from the Waterkant

Timsen’s distinctive sound is promptly recognizable on “Vun Here”.The instrumentation, featuring violin, mandolin, and the quintessential “skipper piano,” creates a familiar yet fresh sonic landscape.The album showcases Timsen’s storytelling abilities, with songs reflecting real-life experiences from the Waterkant region.

Tracks like “quite as” and the title track, “Vun Here”, possess a sing-along quality, evoking images of relaxing on North Sea dunes or celebrating at local festivals. The album resonates with authenticity, a quality increasingly valued in today’s music scene. According to a recent study by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), listeners are gravitating towards music that feels genuine and relatable, with self-reliant artists seeing a significant rise in popularity.

Themes of nostalgia, Love, and Resilience

The songs on “Vun Here” delve into personal themes, including childhood memories, first love, a sense of belonging, and the challenges of relationships.While the overall tone is optimistic and cheerful, timsen also explores more introspective emotions, such as homesickness.This blend of emotions resonates deeply with listeners,who have already embraced the lyrics despite the album’s recent release.

Influences and Collaborations: A Fusion of Sounds

Timsen’s music draws comparisons to artists like The Hooters, Udo Lindenberg, and BAP, showcasing a rock-solid, handmade sound. notably, Wolfgang Niedecken, the frontman of BAP, collaborated with timsen on a Low German-Kölsche rendition of the BAP classic “Aff un zo”.

While Niedecken wasn’t present at the “Gruenspan” concert, Timsen welcomed other special guests, including former Puhdys frontman Dieter “maschine” Birr and Austrian singer Ina Regen. Max von Milland from South Tyrol also joined Timsen on stage for a new song, “we’re just starting”, which blends Low German with Milland’s dialect.

Dialect, Leeve Lüüd, is the language of the soul.
Timsen, on the importance of dialect in music

Global appeal: Music Beyond Regional Boundaries

The appeal of “Vun Here” extends beyond Northern Germany. Timsen’s authentic music and heartfelt lyrics transcend regional boundaries,offering a message of hope and pure joy of life that resonates with audiences everywhere. This album is a testament to the power of music to connect people, irrespective of thier background or location.