A decade after releasing one of his first major hits, Lig op die Horison, the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, Joshua na die Reën, continues to captivate hearts with his unique style, profound lyrics, and distinctive sound.
He is currently busy promoting the release of his fourth studio album, DIE VALLEI, which promises to take listeners on an emotional journey of self-exploration and renewal.
In true Joshua na die Reën fashion, there is a very special concept and message behind his latest project, which he describes as follows:
“Come feel this moment with me… we stand and gaze out over the Valley, it’s the beginning of our journey. It took a lot to get here, nobody knows that better than you. For a while now, there has been something inside you that softly guided you to this place; away from the world, away from the thoughts and worries that occupy your mind every day.
You know that you rarely allow yourself to experience it, and now you’re here. I look in your direction, it’s time to start our adventure. We walk down the slope of the mountain together. I feel your mood getting lighter, there’s nothing like the fresh air and unencumbered feeling in the atmosphere of this moment, the wind through your hair, the birds and insects, the stream down in the Valley.
There’s so much to discover here. Do you just wake up one day and know that you’re suddenly willing to let go of what you’ve been measuring yourself against for years and let it flow into rivers? The freedom of this thought grows like wings from your back, and somehow it feels like you’re soaring with the eagles through the sky in the Valley.
You want to be here forever, you want to live, you want to leave behind abundant rings of growth. You want to wake up with the sun in the morning, sit cross-legged under the cedars on the bank and just breathe and take in life. For too long, the norm was not to feel, not to feel part of what the Great Spirit of Heaven and Earth has given us. You become quiet, because you know now that it has always been here for you, only a thought away.”
According to the artist, his new release will resonate with listeners of all ages because it boasts a diverse combination of enjoyable pop sounds, calmer meditative tracks, and even elements of R&B and alternative music. It also includes collaborations with various other artists, including Karlien van Jaarsveld and the Tuks Camarata choir.
DIE VALLEI consists of 18 original tracks, written by the artist himself, carefully crafted into a perfect final product by Gideon Botes.
This album has a more mature approach, given his increased life experienced over the past ten years and will be a bit more commercially oriented to ensure that his work reaches a broader audience.
“I have come to realize that the more your music plays on air, the more listeners you reach. That is ultimately why you create art, so it can change people’s lives,” he explains. “In his own beautiful way, Gideon managed to take what I brought and turn it into something I’m very proud of. I would love to work with him again in the future.”
Because each song comes from a very personal place, it’s impossible for him to choose a favourite. However, he reveals that Stroom en Rivier and Die Groot Gees van Hemel en Aarde are very special to him because they were recorded at his own home studio, with sounds of his children and birds that can be heard somewhere in the background.
With the album’s release and these specific songs, he wanted to convey the message that his inspiration for everything he undertakes in life comes from God.
BY MY, the first single and music video release from his latest album, was inspired by an email request he received from a listener to write a song for his wedding anniversary, after something happened to permanently damage the trust in that marriage.
“The lyrics of the song say: ‘Stay. Stay as the world goes on, and you’ll find me if you can still see me for me.’ (‘Bly. Bly as die wêreld gaan, en jy sal my kry as jy my nog kan sien vir my.’) We tend to overlook the essence of who someone truly is. Everyone has struggles, but we remain who we are despite of them. That’s why it’s important to see people for who they are and not just for what they do,” de Villiers reveals about the meaning behind this special song. “It was n privilege to be able to record this song with Hannah Foster, Raziela Grey and Renee Kruger, with the director being Gideon Botes. Music video is by BrandMill”, he says.
This track, which will be released on 15 September, follows in the footsteps of previous successful releases like Lig of die Horison, Soos Nou, Die Wêreld Binne My, Vir Altyd, Sterrenet and more, which were all been very well received.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/My0h4tO5j3I
A decade in the music industry and a new album definitely deserves to be celebrated. Therefore, the artist has decided to host various album releases at different locations across the country.
• 15 September at The Roots Venue in Potchefstroom.
• 16 September at Doxa Duo in Wonderboom, Pretoria.
• 18 September at city hall in Stellenbosch.
In addition to his band, consisting of Raziela Grey (violin), Heini Berner (guitar), Gerhard Bineldell (bass guitar), Stanley June (bass guitar), Andy Maritz (drums), and Gideon Botes (guitars), these performances will also include special guest appearances by various artists, including Hannah Foster, Renée Kruger, and other big surprises that he doesn’t want to reveal just yet.
Tickets cost R250 per person and are available at www.jndr.co.za.
Joshua na die Reën shot to fame in 2014 with his self-titled debut album that won numerous awards. Since then, he has not only released several big radio hits, but also shared the stage with some of the country’s biggest stars. He has also been part of the music project, Musiek Soos Grond, since 2019 with his friends and fellow musicians Lizandra Winter, Len Muller, Kaleidoskoop, Leon Gropp and Liani Reynolds.
In 2021 he also released a beautiful duet with Simoné Roets, called Ongerep, which can still be heard on the radio.
He truly loves his family and friends and enjoys spending time outdoors. He’s also planning on taking a road trip with his family and to go hiking later in the year.
Furthermore, he is involved in various projects and collaborations that he’s very excited about, including a leading role in the movie Reisigers set to be filmed next year, an awareness campaign about humanity’s responsibility to take care of the planet, and new merchandise created by NAVA.
He is also honoured to be one of the faces of Tapputi Egyptian Perfume Oils’ brand-new men’s range, which will be launched in October this year.
Joshua na die Reën wants to be remembered as an authentic soul who loved people and showed it. His aim is to establish connections between different parts of the music industry so that everyone can collaborate and respect each other’s talents.
With DIE VALLEI he wants to give listeners the opportunity to escape from reality and remind themselves of what life is truly about.
“I hope that people will feel like they can breathe when they listen to the album, so they can come to the valley and escape from their busy lives on the mountaintops. During Covid-19, people built many walls around themselves and can no longer remember what life is truly about, and I want to remind them of what’s important,” he concludes.
DIE VALLEI will be available on all digital streaming platforms from 6 October 2023.
TRACK LIST
Dreuning op die berge
DMT
Die Groot Gees van Hemel en aarde
Die verte in
Stroom en Rivier
Meditasie
Broers
’n Laaste keer
Neuteboord
Iemand soos jy
Glystroom
Die Vallei
Beter vir ons albei
Daar is lig
Hoe ver, hoe wyd
By my
“Listening to the album is like taking a journey through a beautiful valley. At the beginning, as you descend into the valley, you leave behind the stress of your busy life. When you reach the bottom, your thoughts are clear and open, and you find yourself in a meditative state where you can do introspection and appreciate the beauty around you. Then you start the ascent with new courage and energy for what lies ahead.”
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaNaDieReen
Twitter: @JoshuaNaDieReen
Instagram: @joshuanadiereen
Website: www.jndr.co.za
