Lennard Vaatstra is at work in his studio complex Aqua8 when through the walls of the rehearsal studio, he hears a voice that gives him goose bumps. The then 21-year old Caro Smit is rehearsing with her father’s band. Lennard realizes that he has found the voice he has been looking for, and inspired by Caro’s unique vocals, he writes the moving debut song Memories. Drummer Paul Castricum, bassist Dave Houtenbos and guitarist Rients Draaisma are brought in, and Ealeon is born.

When Lennard discovers singer Caro Smit in the spring of 2008, he himself is in the middle of processing a painful break-up. That difficult time of being knocked down, and crawling back to his feet provide him with plenty of material for the writing of personal and emotional lyrics such as Memories, Descending and The Change. In March 2009, the debut song Memories is released, complete with video clip. The song receives many responses on the international music platform MySpace, and in no time Ealeon has a multitude of enthusiastic fans.

In this same period, Carolien had hit a rough patch on the personal front. “I had spent so many years ignoring and repressing painful and difficult memories, that by the time I was forced to stand still, it was like a tidal wave hit me. And all those masks and walls that I had created over the years to protect myself, ended up turning into a cage. I was lost, confused and exhausted.” Carolien suffered from depression, and struggled with self-injury and an eating disorder. It was in this period when the indispensable role of music in her life became the most evident. "Music goes deeper than anything I know. Without a doubt, it’s what kept me going, kept me alive really.”

In may 2009 she was admitted for an inpatient therapy program. The leap of faith was effective, and after a battle of twelve months, she was discharged from the clinic. Almost simultaneously, Ealeon released two new songs, Descending and The Change. The latter being a symbol for the onset for a new period in her life. ”I’m full of plans and ambitions for the future, and I’m determined to make the most of every day. Turn up the music, it’s time to live!”

In 2010, Lennard and the other Ealeon band members work hard on writing and recording new songs for their first album, to be released in 2011. It promises to be a debut album with an emotional message, wrapped in melodic vocals and harmonies. An album with a personal style, inspired by various styles including symphonic rock, ‘soulful’

metal, gothic and some pop influences here and there.

Combined with Caro’s extraordinary voice that touches the depths of the soul, the tight bass and drums and the shrill, yet sensitive solo guitars, the debut album should certainly prove to be a unique one.

Ealeon:

Lennard Vaatstra (33) - backing vocals, piano, guitars, strings

Caro Smit (23) - lead vocals

Paul Castricum (32) - drums

Dave Houtenbos (32) - bass

Rients Draaisma (26) - lead guitar