Band and artist producer
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.
Audio Engineering Services
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.
Own music
Alongside my work for other artists, I also spent time this semester creating music for my own enjoyment. Within the modern metal scene, I experiment with new ideas to approach the genre in a fresh and contemporary way. All of my personal compositions are instrumental and focus strongly on rhythm and groove.
One of my recent tracks is titled AWJ. This piece is built around low-tuned seven-string guitars, which I further pitched down digitally in my DAW. This technique adds an extra electronic depth to the guitar sound. The track can be listened at spotify and my instagram page.