Frederieke writes lyrics about the freedom to be yourself
Frederieke van Ierland is graduating from the Academy of Pop Music in Enschede, where her main subject is Singer-Songwriter. Her final performance also marked the release of her EP. Through her music and lyrics, she explores themes of queerness, womanhood and the freedom to be yourself. ‘It means a lot to me when people relate to my music.’
Photo: Maaike Ronhaar
During her final performance at Metropool in Enschede, Frederieke could see from the stage how her music was bringing people together. ‘At first, I wrote about things that made me feel alone or misunderstood. Singing about them is terrifying, but once you do, something shifts. People seem to think, “Oh, this is me” or “I feel this too.” Sometimes I saw people looking at each other. That’s when I could tell the music was really reaching them.’
‘To me, being queer means being free to love whoever you love, just like anyone else.’
Photo: Sterre Reeuwijk
Frederieke wrote the song Voor het eerst (For the First Time) for her EP. As the lyrics were originally written in Dutch, they have not been translated.
Voor het eerst
Ik neem de tijd
En laat het andere los
De angst voor spijt ben ik kwijt
Met haar wang op mijn borst
Voor het eerst
Ben ik vrij zonder alleen te zijn
Voor het eerst
Ben ik mij zonder alleen te zijn
Jij laat me vrij
Ik voel me thuis
Met haar hand
Op mijn rug
En hoe ze door mijn haren strijkt
En al lijkt het zoiets kleins naar de buitenwereld
Zo gewoon
Dit is nieuw voor mij
Want voor het eerst
Ben ik vrij zonder alleen te zijn
Voor het eerst
Ben ik mij zonder alleen te zijn
Jij laat me vrij
Photo: Maaike Ronhaar
Photo: Maaike Ronhaar
An anthem for the freedom to be yourself
According to Frederieke, Voor het eerst can be seen as a love song between two women. But the song is also about the queer community: about being able to be yourself without feeling alone, surrounded by people who understand you. ‘I often think of this song when I’m at Pride, surrounded by people who are happy to be in a place where they can safely be themselves. In that sense, it’s a beautiful anthem too.’
‘During my first week at the Academy of Music in Enschede, one of the lecturers said: “You’re not students here - you’re our colleagues.”’
Learning from professionals outside ArtEZ
In her fourth year at the Academy of Pop Music, Frederieke spent one semester taking Singer-Songwriter classes. During the second semester, she followed external coaching sessions. ‘We were given fourteen sessions to schedule with coaches outside ArtEZ. I chose a longer coaching trajectory with Merijn Joost, keyboardist for Pommelien Thijs. I wanted his feedback on the band arrangements for my EP. I used the remaining sessions for additional vocal coaching. The programme gives you the freedom to decide who or what you need to help shape your final project.’
