Berenice van Leer is going to show the world a completely different side of herself with her debut. From a young age she has been setting countless leading stages at home and abroad on fire for years, nowadays mainly as the leadsinger of the legendary electro-funk band Kraak & Smaak, but many will also know her from Wicked Jazz Sounds. In between touring she has always collected her own ideas for songs, which has led to her debut album 'From Silence'. Here she finds the peace and space for her personal story. Open, honest and above all close to the listener, Berenice goes in search of acceptance, grief processing, and finding answers in silence with this layered pop record.

In an intimate setting with top guitarist Pascal Voorbraak she perfoms a mix of her own work and songs by other artists that inspired her. Her hazy and lived voice takes you on a journey through her rich musical world. To create an atmosphere where Sade, Joni Mitchell and Sharon Jones melt together beautifully.

“I love to connect with people. On and off stage. Music is a way for me to do that. And telling my story. In the moment, with the musicians and thru music with the audience. I’m exploring my journey of making my own songs more. I feel that there is more space for me to do that now, then ever before.

I was touring and gigging so much before the pandemic kicked in. Which was a shock at first, but also it was good to stand still. I needed to be in silence. And there I found answers: I am also a nice person without the stage. This was something I needed to really feel deeply. In the weird year 2020, I discovered I wanted to sing more with only a guitarist.

We both love to improvise. And in our live set, we try to keep this alive. We give each other space, we listen and we respond. And I feel the audience is responding on that. I can not be someone I am not. I am totally me. And that is what you see and hear on stage.

I brought the song ideas and snippets to producer Mark van Bruggen and he really listened to these ideas and made really good productions of my songs. So so amazing to hear the ideas come alive.”

Soon live somewhere in your neighbourhood!