Joost Scheltes

Born in the Netherlands and now based in Vienna, Joost Scheltes has finally embarked on his quest as the frontman of his Blues Rock band, van Joost. His songs explore themes like growth, vulnerability, and the weight of carrying the bones of the past.

“Some of the artists I truly admire and grew up with are Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Eivør, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Yet when I look at my record collection, I realise I could never narrow my taste down to just them. I enrich myself with anything I find beautiful, whether that be distorted guitars, screaming trolls, euphoric synthesizers, or heartbreaking falsetto voices.”

Guitar enthusiasts and headbangers will find no shortage of riffs and shredding in his music, yet he is equally drawn to lyric writing and exploring his emotional landscape. In recent years, he has developed a deep love for journaling and poetry, often using them to better understand himself and the questions that keep him awake at night.