By Jae-Ha Kim
Los Angeles Times
June 25, 2019
Better known by his stage name of San Holo, Dutch DJ, guitarist and producer Sander van Dijck, 28, says that he often finds inspiration for his music in his travels. “Traveling has affected my music a lot,” he says. “Seeing new places and meeting new people — it always gives me fresh insights and new perspectives on life, which tend to have an effect subconsciously when I write music.” Currently on tour promoting his single “Lost Lately” off his debut record, “Album1,” he stays in touch with fans via Facebook and Twitter. Tour dates are updated on his website.
Q. Where is home for you these days?
A. I’m based in the Netherlands. I don’t actually have a house of my own at the moment, because I’m on the road most of the time. But when I’m not on tour, I either stay at my mom’s or my brother’s house or with friends. I am currently looking to get a place of my own, though, but I’m not sure where I want to live yet.
Q. Do you write music when you’re on the road?
A. Yes and no. I always try to, but mostly there’s just not a lot of time in between traveling and playing shows to fully finish songs. But I do work on a lot of ideas I have in my head. The melody and chords for “Light,” for instance, started on a flight to the U.S. and I worked on most of the records for my album in hotels and at the airport.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Los Angeles is definitely a favorite. I didn’t go there on vacation, but I stayed there in an Airbnb last year for about three months to work on my album. Also, the weather is good nine out of 10 times, unlike Holland. So that makes it feel like I’m on vacation. I stayed in Echo Park. I just love to wander the streets and have some good food, to be honest. It’s just a really chilled-out spot. Also, I loved going to the Griffith Observatory.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Toronto is really cool. I’ve been spending a lot of time there lately in between album writing and I really like it. Denver is another great city. Red Rocks is one of my all-time favorite venues. I also have a ton of fond memories from Seattle and Portland. That whole area is gorgeous and all the people there are super nice.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. I went to a province in Holland called Zeeland — not to be confused with New Zealand — with my brother, parents and grandparents in a caravan. I remember liking it a lot. It’s a really beautiful place with a lot of nice beaches. I love to still go there when I have the time.
Q. If you could only pick one place to eat, which would you choose: A casual meal at a street cart or fine dining at a nice restaurant?
A. Definitely food truck food. I had the most amazing pad thai when I was in Asia at a street cart when I was there last year. I’m not really the fine-dining type of guy.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. I know it’s cliche, but I have a lot of fond memories of Paris.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages?
A. I can speak Dutch and English fluently. I did have French and German classes in high school, but that didn’t really stick well enough for me to speak fluently.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. L.A., Sydney, Portland (and in the Netherlands) Zoetermeer and Zeeland.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. When I was in L.A. last year, I really felt at home. But I always love coming back to Zoetermeer after a tour. I don’t know why, but I guess that’s where everything started for me and I think it’s such an ugly city that it’s beautiful, if that makes sense (Laughs).
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. The essentials would be my passport, laptop, headphones, toothbrush and some clean clothes.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. Pad thai and Boba tea, all day, every day.
© 2019 JAE-HA KIM
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