Jim Offerman

Dutch singer/songwriter Jim Offerman creates a distinct a blend of heartfelt ballads and uplifting pop songs. Having earned his stripes fronting several bands and after creating the score for the 2004 independent feature film "Wraak" ("Revenge"), the 27-year old singer/pianist/guitarist has now returned to what he does best: writing poignant lyrics and flowing melodies, which he delivers with passion and emotion - both live on stage and in recordings.

The release of the new album "Life Baggage", follow-up to the 2002 EP "Speak Up", concludes a year-long journey of recording music in bedroom studios, garages and one particularly hellish session in a basement. While the creation of the record was largely a solo effort, it was strengthened by the generous contributions of many musical friends, including Karen Neumann on vocals, Ton Jenner on acoustic guitar and Martijn Korteknie on bass. A collection of Jim's finest songwriting to date, the album is an emotional ride that starts with the life-altering events of "How Can It Be" and takes us past the fatherly love expressed in "Like Superman", all the way down to the whimsical take on beauty-products in "Cream". Other stand-outs include "If I Fall", a romantic duet with Tjau van Ravestijn, and "The Hard Road", where a sweeping fretless bass - played by Dave Pijpers - underlines a declaration of true friendship.

When asked about his musical references, Jim cites the enchanting Sarah McLachlan as having had a big influence on his songwriting and style, which also draws from a wide range of other bands. Two songs, in particular, were instrumental in the shaping of his career: "Your Song", by the legendary Elton John, first sparked his interest in (making) music and then there was a song called "Shadows of the Night", written by his highschool friends Thomas and Roel, which ignited his interest in songwriting.

With "Life Baggage" released, Jim is now bent on bringing his music back to the stage with his newly formed band (featuring Arno Tijnagel on guitars, Bastiaan van der Kooij on bass and Mark Hage on drums). "I can't wait to go out and see how the audience responds to these songs", says the singer, "that is the ultimate test".