Who Am I?
My name is Bastiaan Westerbeek, I am 22 years old, and currently a fourth-year MediaMusic student at ArtEZ, specializing in Bands and Artist Production. My ultimate goal is to work as a producer for bands and artists within the (progressive)
metal genre. To achieve this, I align my projects at ArtEZ with this vision, plan studio recording sessions with bands, and refine my skills in mixing, mastering, and production. I spend a lot of time analyzing the work of renowned
metal producers and practicing mixing released multi-tracks in my home studio.
I have been playing electric guitar since I was ten years old and have a strong passion for progressive metal. I write and record my own songs, working on an EP that combines progressive metal with influences from funk and pop.
In addition to my studies, I have learned the skill of Front of House Engineer as part of the internal ArtEZ technical team and am available as a sound technician both within and outside ArtEZ. I also work at the ArtEZ Conservatory,
where I assist with equipment lending and provide technical support. Furthermore, I have taught stage technology to third-year music students.
Since December 2023, I have been the guitarist for Nymue, a cinematic progressive metalcore band that combines metal with classical music and film score influences.
Additionally, I am a guitarist for Rick Planting, with whom I have performed at multiple live events. I actively contribute to both the writing and performance of music.
THE JOURNEY
RECORDING
RECORDING
Since I started making music, my biggest frustration was that the sound I heard in my head never quite came out of the speakers. The vision and sonic character I imagined were always an essential part of my productions. That frustration
is what led me to study MediaMusic at ArtEZ.
Once I began the program, a whole new world opened up to me. Through courses such as Producerlab Recording, I quickly fell in love with recording and mixing bands. From that point on, I focused intensely on recording, editing, and
producing as many bands and artists as possible throughout the rest of my studies. Even if I’m not the one writing the music, I consider a project successful when the sound coming from the speakers matches the sound I envisioned.
Now, at the end of my time at ArtEZ, I am increasingly active as a freelance recording engineer. I have built a strong working relationship with Woodstock Recording Studio in Enschede, where I am regularly called in to engineer studio
sessions. Last semester, I worked on three studio projects there: one writing session where I was responsible for equipment setup and microphone placement, and two full recording weekends where I handled recording, mic placement,
and editing. During these projects, I collaborated with well-known artists such as Phillip Lassiter and Bas Westerweel.
FOH
Since I started making music, my biggest frustration was that the sound I heard in my head never quite came out of the speakers. The vision and sonic character I imagined were always an essential part of my productions. That frustration is what led me to study MediaMusic at ArtEZ.
Since 2024, I have been the guitarist for the symphonic cinematis metalcore band Nymue. With this project, we create modern, cinematic metal tracks supported by grand orchestral arrangements, blending heavy element with expansive soundscapes.
Withing Nymue, I am primarily responsible for the composition, recording, mixing and mastering of our music. I oversee the entire production, recording, mixing and mastering of our music. I oversee the entire production process to ensure that he final result the atristic vision and sonic intensity we aim to achieve.