Club Solange: “Feeling music is so important!”
Solange, also known by her stage name Solange Rose, is truly a jack-of-all-trades. She lists her activities: “Singer, vocal coach, talent scout; I provided musical language education to refugee children at a primary school, and now I offer vocal therapy there.” Moreover, and not insignificantly, she is a proud resident of Eindhoven. It’s clear that calling her ever-active is an understatement.
With the creation of Club Solange, not only is her own dream coming true, but so are the dreams of others: “Lois is a fantastic singer who is following a coaching program with me to become a backing vocalist. During Club Solange, she’ll also be performing on stage!” Another example is Nebal, who fled from Syria. “Her dream is to start a catering business. The snacks for this evening are provided by her.”
Hearing and feeling
For Solange, music is more than just what you hear. “Feeling music is just as important,” she believes. “I’ve performed for years and noticed that people don’t just come for the music but also for the story behind it. Why are you singing this song? With what emotion?” This inspired an evening where music and stories take center stage. “It’s somewhat similar to Beste Zangers, I think. That show is also about the artists’ stories and the music that holds meaning for them.” However, there’s one key difference: “At Club Solange, the singer performs the songs themselves that align with their own stories, which makes it even more emotional.”
Precisely because everyone chooses music with personal meaning, it’s impossible to pin down a single genre. “The evening offers a wide range of emotions, so it naturally includes a wide variety of musical styles. From raw blues to heartfelt soul, from familiar pop songs with a personal twist to irresistibly danceable hits.”
Society
Her own story plays a significant role in the creation of Club Solange. “I like to engage with initiatives centered around freedom, such as the celebrations on September 18th—the liberation of Eindhoven—and, of course, the activities surrounding Keti Koti, which are particularly close to my heart due to my Surinamese roots.” It was during a commemorative concert that Solange connected with Jessica Dassen, head of the Inclusion department at Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, planting the definitive seed for Club Solange.
This social engagement is deeply woven into the fabric of Club Solange’s concept. “I seek singers and artists who contribute to society,” she explains. “For example, during the first edition in February, we featured Dennis Kroon, who is active as a soldier. Alissa May is an emerging talent from Eindhoven who can inspire many with how she shapes her career.” The diversity is indeed vast, but that’s the strength of the evening: “I want to bring together people who wouldn’t normally cross paths, both among the artists and the audience.”
From an early age
During the evening, Solange takes the stage not only as the host but also as a singer. Her vocal talent is widely praised, including by American soul singer Frank McComb. “Suddenly, I was standing next to him on stage, singing—how surreal is that!” McComb is no stranger to the music world, having collaborated with legends like Prince, Chaka Khan, Will Smith, and Branford Marsalis. Martijn Roos from Club Dauphine in Amsterdam shares McComb’s admiration, and Solange is a regular and welcomed performer at the Amsterdam club night.
“I taught myself to sing,” she admits. “Aretha Franklin taught me a lot in that regard.” From a young age, she listened to Franklin’s music. “My mother had old vinyl records that I played over and over. Soul and blues were truly instilled in me from an early age.”
The first edition of Club Solange will take place on 15 February 2025, featuring performances by Solange alongside Alissa May, Dennis Kroon, and spoken word artist Yaa Pokua. They will be accompanied by a live band and backing vocalists Lois and Luke.