Servellen

Q1 — You’ve lived across several cultures and continents. How has that shaped your identity as an artist?

A: Growing up between cultures is very different from living your whole life in one place. I’m Dutch–Indonesian, born in Colombia, raised in the United States and the Netherlands, and now based in Singapore. That layered background shaped how I see identity — not as fixed, but as something evolving and contextual.

Living across cultures teaches you early that perceived reality isn’t singular. People live within different systems of meaning, yet there’s always a shared human thread beneath it. That perspective influences my music deeply — I’m comfortable with contrast, blending influences, and searching for the layer that connects experience rather than separates it.

Q2 — You’ve mentioned a personal loss early in life that shifted your direction. How did that shape you?

A: It changed something fundamental. Losing someone close at a young age confronted me with questions about meaning, consciousness, and how to live authentically. I didn’t have the tools to understand it then, but it created a long-term drive to look deeper.

That inquiry led me to study psychology in Amsterdam — not as a career move, but as a way to understand human experience. Later it evolved into deeper introspection and inner work. It wasn’t about belief systems, but clarity — seeing myself more honestly and understanding how conditioning shapes perception. That process never really ends. I still struggle with gaps I see between what I care about and the reality of daily life, as many people do consciously or unconsciously, and lately the great injustices we see in the world today, and the suffering that causes. 

Q3 — During that period, Amsterdam’s underground dance culture became important to you. What did it mean?

A: In the 1990s, places like Mazzo and Trance Buddha were more than nightlife — they were shared experiences of intensity and openness. Electronic music created moments of unity that felt expansive and transformative. Those nights left a deep imprint on me. Some close friendships were formed there. But over time I realised that powerful peak experiences don’t lead to lasting change and might even get in the way of that. That distinction — between temporary transcendence and grounded development — became important in my life and in my music.

Q4 — Today your work exists in two musical forms. How would you describe them?

A: As Servellen, I create melodic electronic music shaped by introspection. It began with Goatrance in the early 2000s and gradually evolved toward downtempo and something in the direction of melodic techno and house. It’s storytelling without words — emotional, layered, and immersive. Under my full name, Sander van Servellen I write songs the old-fashioned way — voice, guitar, and whatever truth I’m willing to say out loud. They come from real moments. Real questions. Real memories. I'm bit more advanced in terms of my electronic music production skills than playing guitar and producing a band, but enjoy both and choose the focus of a given session based on my mood and inspiration. 

Q5 — You also maintain a demanding professional career. How does that coexist with your creative work?

A: Yes, I've had quite an amazing career at Elsevier since 2006, developing and launching research analytics solutions and services used by universities and governments to understand research and innovation eco-systems. I love what we have created and how it is being used to improve how scientific knowledge translates into real life societal impact. Actively participating in this process is both a privilege and obligation – even when it is a burden in terms it coming at the cost of doing music full time. 

They may appear opposite and mutally exclusive, but they aren’t. My professional life at Elsevier engages with research and innovation systems, knowledge, and large-scale thinking. My creative work connects me to my own emotion and inner experience, which I find is healing and exciting. The main challenge is practical — time. Inspiration doesn’t always align with availability. I don't always have time when I'm inspired, and don't always feel inspired when I finally do have the time to produce music. 

Q6 — Visual storytelling has become part of your work as well. How does that fit in?

A: Visuals began as an experiment but became a natural extension of the music. I've gotten quite into using an AI tool called Neural Frames to create music videos. They allow atmosphere and symbolism to deepen the emotional context. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling — composing, writing — and visual language complements that process. My Servellen Official Artist Channel on YouTube hosts my music videos. 

Q7 — What do you hope listeners take from your music?

A: I don’t expect a specific interpretation. But if the music offers a moment of clarity, connection, or reflection — even briefly — that’s enough. I produce the music for myself, where it really comes from my heart in the moment, rather than compromising by creating something that does not really resonate with me, but is engineered to try and meet the interest of a target market. That all said, it been a challenge to reach audiences in a day and age where there is just so much content out there, and discovery of good music is way more difficult than 20 years ago.