Jan released his debut album Tales of Woe in 2018, under the moniker Silas J. Dirge. With mostly character driven and story based lyrics he explores subjects like death, religion and (lost) love while accompanying himself on a beat up acoustic guitar. He is often aided by musician friends, with Harald de Ruiter as a returning contributor on electric guitar.
With his single Flowers on her Grave (2019) Silas J. Dirge's writing has evolved into a somewhat less brooding direction, albeit still with unmistakable grim undertones.
Before releasing music under the name Silas J. Dirge, Jan Kooiker - together with Harald de Ruiter - played in alt-country band The Information from 2008 until its disbandment in 2015, having released 2 albums, 3 EP's and 1 single.
IN THE MEDIA
Soundrive (PL)
Rockportaal (NL)
Red Guitar Music (EN)
Local Spins (EN)
Luminous Dash (NL)
Devils Music (EN)
Maximum Volume Music (EN)
Elsewhere (EN)
Soundblab (EN)
Pastel Wasteland (EN)
LINKS
From 2008 until 2015 Jan played in alt-country band The Information. They released two albums, four EP's and one single, and among other shows played the Eurosonic festival and reached the finals of De Grote Prijs Van Nederland in the rock category.
IN THE MEDIA
Written in Music (NL)
Alt Country Forum (NL)
Blues Magazine (NL)
Zware Metalen (NL)
Alt Country (NL)
File Under (NL)
Festival Info (NL)
3voor12 (NL)
3voor12 (NL)
Jan composes and produces soundtracks for film. These soundtracks are a combination of acoustic instruments (acoustic guitar, harmonium, cello, piano) and electric guitars and soundscapes. For most of these projects Jan has worked on the sounddesign as well which gives him the opportunity to blend sound and music. You can listen to a number of tracks in the player below but for a good impression of how music and sound work together you best check out trailers of the films on the sounddesign page.
For Jan's recording and mixing work you can visit the producing page.