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Silas J. Dirge: Gothic Country Storyteller

Silas J. Dirge is the musical project of Netherlands-based alt-country songwriter Jan Kooiker. With character-driven and story-based lyrics he explores subjects like death, religion and (lost) love while accompanying himself on a beat-up acoustic guitar.

His writing style can be described as traditional old-school country - sometimes with as little as two chords per song - lyrically leaning towards darker themes. He uses a minimalistic approach when writing, carefully selecting instruments and narrowing down arrangements to a bare minimum. Arrangements consisting of dissonant vocal harmonies, distorted electric guitars drenched in reverb, an old saloon piano playing sparse, slightly off-key notes or an even older squeaky harmonium. And sometimes it's just him singing and accompanying himself on his trusty, old acoustic guitar.

Discography

Scoring work

Next to his music as Silas J. Dirge, Jan also creates music for film. He uses mostly acoustic instruments - acoustic guitar, harmonium, cello, piano - and combines this with electric guitars and soundscapes. Jan works as a sound designer as well. Combining sound design and scoring gives him the opportunity to perfectly match sound and music.

Reviews

'Silas J. Dirge offers roots-infused poetry set to sparse arrangements that deftly conveys the hidden beauty behind dark roots music'
Read more: Saving Country Music

'It's a taste of the real thing'
Read more: Folking.com

'Three chords and an archaic fear of the unknown are the basis of the desolate and genuinely poetic compositions of Kooiker'
Read more: Ondarock

'A slow spiritual awakening'
Read more: Lonesome Highway

'It was a need from deep inside. That's why this is so very, very good.'
Read more: Maximum Volume Music

'Silas' unmatched ability to perfectly balance vast orchestration and stark soundscapes is on full display here'
Read more: Devil's Music

'Dirge offers listeners their own personal Tardis, as if he were Doctor Who'
Read more: Independent Clauses

'The whole album is still dark and shadowy, but brighter sounds and stronger emphasis brings some shades to it'
Read more (French): Adopte Un Disque

'Silas J. Dirge masterfully untangles a skein of dark and troubling stories, without disdaining the romantic and poetic side of dark culture'
Read more (Italian): Ondarock

'The Poor Devil is a breath of fresh air that rises above the miasmic subject matter'
Read more: Exposé

'[...] highly atmospheric backings which might be interpreted as a long journey through a metaphysical Death Valley.'
Read more: Lonesome Highway

'A fine dark-country album. Again Silas J. Dirge has raised the bar for this genre.'
Read more (Dutch): Rockportaal

'The Poor Devil is an intriguing breath of fresh air with songs in minor filled with dark poetry.'
Read more (Dutch): Altcountryforum.nl

'He doesn't tell a story, he immerses us in it and we quickly get caught up in the game.'
Read more (French): Alors, on écoute quoi?

'If Devil's Music assigned letter grades, it would get an A+ and that still wouldn't be good enough for this deeply rewarding album.'
Read more: Devils Music

'This was a surprise in the best way, and we can't wait to see what Silas produces in his upcoming sophomore album.'
Read more: Pastel Wasteland

'There it is all Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, or if you want your modern versions, Phosphorescent and Oldham rolled into one.'
Read more: Soundblab

'His songs are vast soundscapes, becoming more layered and rich with each listen.'
Read more: Maximum Volume Music

'Silas J. Dirge makes Faustian pact with the Devil on new single'
Read more: Red Guitar Music

'Kooiker has a warm, ripened voice, that is a perfect fit for this valley of tears'
Read more (Dutch): Rockportaal

'A wonderful song'
Read more (Dutch): Luminous Dash

Miscellaneous

'We both have a preference for mystery and suspense.'
Read more: Local Spins

'I love Carel Willink's paintings, their surrealism and apocalyptic landscapes make me feel slightly uncomfortable.'
Read more (Polish): Soundrive

'Ghost Town, as on Silas J Dirge's Morricone-influenced c'n'w parody.'
Read more: Elsewhere

Blood & Dust: A Gothic Western
Read more: Venus Aeon