{"id":460,"date":"2015-08-16T01:10:45","date_gmt":"2015-08-16T01:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/?page_id=460"},"modified":"2025-02-06T20:27:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T20:27:23","slug":"media-coverage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/media-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"Media Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review: Can’t Sit Still<\/a><\/p>\n

Cornelis Gerard<\/strong>\u2019s latest single, \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still<\/strong>,\u201d is an exhilarating celebration of rhythm and movement that boldly transcends genre boundaries. Infused with an infectious indie-funk-pop vibe, the track bursts forth with vibrant energy, blending layers of dynamic instrumentation and playful charisma that make it impossible to remain still\u2014both literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n

At its core, \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still<\/strong>\u201d thrives on a magnetic groove, anchored by jangly guitars, crisp percussion, and a standout trumpet performance from virtuoso Brant Tilds<\/strong>. The brass elements inject a lively blend of ska and jazz into the composition, adding depth and nuance to an already vibrant track. Cornelis<\/strong>\u2019s ability to seamlessly fuse these diverse elements\u2014combining punchy melodies with intricate brass flourishes\u2014showcases his exceptional skill in crafting music that is both richly textured and highly approachable.<\/p>\n

Cornelis<\/strong>\u2019s vocal delivery adds yet another layer of charm, balancing effortless swagger with genuine sincerity. His performance radiates an inviting energy, as though he\u2019s personally encouraging listeners to join him in an impromptu dance party.<\/p>\n

The production enhances the track\u2019s effervescent vibe, capturing the raw, infectious energy of a live performance while maintaining a polished, radio-ready finish. Every instrument is given room to shine, with the trumpet solos standing out as electrifying highlights that elevate the song\u2019s dynamic appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still<\/strong>\u201d isn\u2019t just a song\u2014it\u2019s an experience. It\u2019s a sonic journey that leaves listeners feeling uplifted and eager to hit replay. With this release, Cornelis Gerard<\/strong> cements his reputation as a master of feel-good anthems and a distinctive voice in the indie-pop landscape.<\/p>\n

Conversation with Cornelis Gerard about Can’t Sit Still<\/a><\/p>\n

If you could describe your life in three key chapters, what would they be?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first chapter would be about my life moving around different countries with my parents. We lived in various countries in Europe and the Middle East. The second chapter would be about buying my first guitar and moving to England. The third chapter would start with me sitting on a beach in Thailand where I wrote something that convinced me that I had something to contribute to music.<\/p>\n

What was the moment you realized music was more than just a passion\u2014it was your purpose?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was that moment in Thailand. Somehow I ended up spending some time on a tropical island surrounded by tourists, backpackers and diving instructors. I was playing guitar all the time and one day I wrote a piece of music that I liked so much it made me believe I had something to contribute to music. It convinced me to come back to London and take music more seriously. I still haven\u2019t written lyrics for that piece. Perhaps this year I\u2019ll come up with something worthy.<\/p>\n

Who was the first person to believe in your talent, and how did they influence your career?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t think of a specific person but I remember in my first bands as a teenager I was looked to as the one to come up with the riffs and chord progressions. When I started singing my own songs many people told me how much they enjoyed my lyrics. It\u2019s been a slow process of recognition from multiple people that has provided extra motivation to keep going.<\/p>\n

Do you have a defining memory that still fuels your creativity today?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t think of a particular instance but for me it\u2019s the understanding that songwriting encapsulates so many things that interest me; story telling, psychology, music theory etc. It\u2019s a craft that has a lot of room to explore and approach from different angles.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the most valuable life lesson you\u2019ve learned through your musical journey?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

That the best way to connect with people is by being honest, authentic and truthful. That goes for songwriting as well as in general. I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m living a 100% authentic life but it\u2019s something I aspire to and work towards everyday.<\/p>\n

How does \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still\u201d capture who you are as an artist in this moment?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fact that it\u2019s catchy, danceable and accessible but still has a hidden musical depth to it sums up where I\u2019m at as an artist right now. It\u2019s a shame so many songwriters are formulaic in their work when the best songs have moments that break away from conventions. It\u2019s disappointing to me that there are artists with millions of listeners that are still not pushing the boundaries of what can be done in the context of popular music. I\u2019m not saying you have to be super experimental but it would be nice to see the biggest artists try tempo, time signature and key changes like the best artists of the past used to do.<\/p>\n

Did the song come to you all at once, or was it a gradual creation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t remember what the delay was between writing the music and the words. Sometimes the two happen months apart. I do remember that writing the music for the bridge was a special breakthrough that I was particularly proud of. A portion of the music I write is the result of instinct and following my ears. The other part is more deliberate where I have to figure things out consciously or with the help of music theory. It felt special the way it call came together in the final song.<\/p>\n

How did you decide on the production style for \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still\u201d? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the recording sessions I talked a lot with the producer Glen Strachan about the feel I was going for. I\u2019m a big fan of late 1970s to mid 1980s punk, post-punk and new-wave music. Bands like Television, Blondie, XTC, Talking Heads etc. I\u2019m not knowledgeable enough about the music recording and production process to know how much of that is reflected in the final recording but I really like how it sounds. To me it sounds very much like a bunch of musicians playing a song together; alive, present, real.<\/p>\n

How does \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still\u201d push boundaries compared to your previous releases?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The middle section where the song goes on a short jazz detour is not something that I\u2019ve done in any other song before. The way it slows down then picks up the tempo for a swing section before returning to the chorus is very satisfying.<\/p>\n

Was there a moment in the studio when you felt, \u201cThis is it\u2014this is the song\u201d? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know it\u2019s THE song. But it\u2019s definitely a song I\u2019m proud of. I think one of the memorable aspects of the recording session was hearing all the drum-fills that drummer Leo Mollon was coming up with. His drumming on this track is playful and creative.<\/p>\n

Can we expect an album or EP following the release of this single?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the moment I\u2019m not releasing EPs and albums in the conventional manner. I record batches of songs together and then release a new single every couple of months. After all the songs are released I will give the project a name. So you could consider those EPs or albums. There is one more song coming out for this project and then I\u2019ll be moving on to the next one, which has already been recorded but not yet mixed.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for you after the release of \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still\u201d? Any exciting projects or performances we should look forward to?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m releasing one more song from this project in January and I\u2019ll be performing a show with my band at the Stag\u2019s Head in Hoxton on the 18th of January to support it. Then I\u2019ll be moving on to the next project for which I\u2019ve done all the recordings. I have enough music recorded to last me until the end of 2025. But I want to record more music this Spring or Summer to get ready for 2026. I\u2019m laying tracks far ahead of the Corneli Gerard train. I\u2019m not stopping!<\/p>\n

ComeHereFloyd.com review of It Won’t Kill You<\/a><\/p>\n

“CORNELIS GERARD\u2019s \u2018It Won\u2019t Kill You\u2019 makes us want to watch CG live, on a stage, playing, and making us dance. Bet it\u2019s so fun. We note that because this single is THAT fun. If you don\u2019t, we think you don\u2019t have any pulse \u2013 like, you\u2019re dead, DOA, out-of-luck. The self described \u2018punk-poet\u2019 and \u2018insensitive\u2019 singer\/songwriter, London based Dutch-Irish artist is a fresh breeze in the scene. The story telling is front and center. But the final product, packaged in brilliance, is something to behold.”<\/p>\n

LondonLiveAndUnsigned.com review of Look Back And Laugh<\/a><\/p>\n

“As a fellow London resident, I connected with ‘Look back and laugh’ straight away and felt I could really associate with the lyrics. Cornelis talks about his experiences when he first headed for the bright lights of London Town. I think a lot of people will connect with his honest style of writing he is very relatable as an artist. The Great thing about this track is by the second time the chorus comes around you know it and you can’t help but sing along, smile and dance. As a musician this is all you can ask for really that your music makes people happy, dance and relate.<\/p>\n

The melody to the song is very happy and positive but yet some on the lyrics are quite serious, this style of songwriting reminds me of the Smiths in the 70’s it’s very clever. One of my favourite lyrics from the song is “cause scars remind us who we are” even know its a small line in the track it gives a sense of empowerment to the song and the listener, it sends out a positive message within the song and makes the song personal to each individual listener and their personal challenges and scars.”<\/p>\n

South Waves Audio – Interview<\/a><\/p>\n

“How did you start in music?<\/p>\n

As a child I had a strange fascination with out of the ordinary instruments; the bagpipes, a melodica at my grandmother\u2019s house and I tried my hand at the recorder in school.\u00a0I was also listening to all kinds of music from my dads music collection. From classical composers like Dvorzak to pop music like the Beatles. Unfortunately I failed music in secondary school and I thought music was for other people until my friend in school joined a band after only playing guitar for a year. That inspired me to pick it up as well. I was writing songs as soon as I learned my first couple of chords.<\/p>\n

How would you describe your music?<\/h5>\n

True stories and living music. A punk and indie-rock fusion with a groovy rhythm section accompanying trademark lyrical storytelling that makes you laugh and think at the same time.<\/p>\n

How do you find inspiration for lyrics?<\/h5>\n

I try to find the truth that no one wants to say about everyday situations, shining a light on interesting aspects of mundane reality. My ideas come from becoming aware of my internal monologue or catching myself or others saying something interesting during a conversation. Sometimes it\u2019s from snippets of overheard conversations on the tube or the bus. We are all making interesting comments and observations all the time, we just aren\u2019t always aware of it.<\/p>\n

Do you have any releases out there?<\/h5>\n

I have released 5 songs: The Art of Not Giving A Fuck, It Won\u2019t Kill You, Look Back and Laugh, Adrenaline Overdose and Quiet Type. They available on all streaming and downloading platforms. I created a booklet entitled \u201cWhat Else?\u201d to accompany the songs which contains all the lyrics plus an explanation of the inspiration behind each song. It\u2019s a great way for my fans to support me in a time when few people buy music and it\u2019s a great memento with photos and artwork. I liked the artwork for the cover so much I put it on a t-shirt.<\/p>\n

What are your gigs like?<\/h5>\n

My band brings danceable rhythms to my punk and indie-rock songs. The drummer and bassist have an interest in jazz and dance rhythms so they lay down a great groove underneath my distorted guitar. Most of my songs get people dancing. Expect to move your body and head-bang simultaneously.<\/p>\n

Sqwzl.com Interview<\/a><\/p>\n

“Music – it\u2019s the great love of my life, the lover of my life. I describe myself as the world\u2019s only insensitive singer-songwriter. I think there are lots of beards in music but not enough balls. I\u2019m trying to bring more balls to music; and truth. I like the truth even if it\u2019s dirty or nasty. What inspires me? Relationships and not necessarily boy meets girl but between friends, or the love a person has with themselves; there\u2019s love, hate, envy. Somebody like Elvis Costello I find really inspiring and he\u2019s a cross-over between punk and new-wave and he would write songs that weren\u2019t just straight-forward love songs. Not that music has to be deep or complicated but it has to be interesting.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Review: Can’t Sit Still Cornelis Gerard\u2019s latest single, \u201cCan\u2019t Sit Still,\u201d is an exhilarating celebration of rhythm and movement that boldly transcends genre boundaries. Infused with an infectious indie-funk-pop vibe, the track bursts forth with vibrant energy, blending layers of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-460","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=460"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":978,"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/460\/revisions\/978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornelisgerard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}