Masterpiece despite tinnitus
Stephen Emmer is a composer I know personally and greatly admire. His music has always touched me with the depth, abstraction, and emotion he manages to infuse into it. Stephen is a master at creating works that invite you not only to listen, but also to feel and reflect.
Career
His career is impressive: from his iconic work with Minny Pops and The Lotus Eaters to the unforgettable daily tunes that many of us know from the NOS Journaal and RTL Nieuws.
Solo Albums
In addition, he has created solo albums such as Recitement, International Blue, and Home Ground, conceptual masterpieces that translate themes such as vulnerability, beauty, and societal questions into music.
What I recognize in his work is something I also try to capture in my own art: that abstraction that leaves room for personal interpretation. It invites you to hold up a mirror, to pause and reflect on yourself and your own world. It offers peace, but also inspiration and direction for what is needed in life. Living with Tinnitus
That is why Stephen’s personal story touches me even more. He lives with tinnitus, unilateral deafness, and dizziness due to Ménière’s disease – a combination of challenges that has a huge impact on his daily life.
Balancing
In a recent interview on WNL in de Kantine on NPO Radio 1, he spoke candidly about this, explaining how he has to take every step into account. Noisy environments are and remain particularly difficult for him; he has to carefully manage social interactions and try to keep stress in balance as much as possible—all to avoid exacerbating the burden of tinnitus. Even a pleasant birthday party can lead to hours of recovery on the couch, he explains.
Mt. Mundane
Yet Stephen refuses to let his hearing issues limit him. His latest album, Mt Mundane, is a masterpiece that stems precisely from these challenges. It is serene, deeply emotional music that is a reflection of his life. The album was awarded a prestigious American prize, and rightly so. Mount Mundane is more than music; it is a symbol of resilience, acceptance, and creativity.
In this story, I also see the core of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) reflected. Stephen accepts what cannot be changed and chooses to focus his energy on what is truly important: his music. He demonstrates that, even in difficult circumstances, a new path can always be found – if you are willing to make conscious choices and persevere.
Artists Against Tinnitus
But Stephen does more than that. In 2023, he founded the Artists Against Tinnitus foundation, through which he raises awareness of hearing damage and takes action. He not only makes music but also advocates for other artists so that they are better protected. Thanks to his efforts, concert venues such as Tivoli Vredenburg have implemented adjustments to prevent hearing damage. His commitment extends beyond his own work; he makes a difference for the entire artistic community.
What touches me deeply is how Stephen shows, through his art and his life, that strength and vulnerability go hand in hand. His story reflects the message I also want to convey with my own work: that art is not only an expression but also a source of peace, reflection, and inspiration. His album Mount Mundane is a mirror in which we can see what is truly valuable in life – and how, despite setbacks, we can always find a new path.
Source of inspiration
Stephen Emmer is not only an exceptionally talented composer, but also a source of inspiration. He shows that art can be healing and that resilience and creativity can overcome even the greatest challenges. I am grateful to know him and to be able to experience his work – work that invites us all to look further and feel deeper.
[Art of Hearing - Dyon Scheijen - 25 January 2025]
Listen to Mt Mundane on your favourite music platform here
Buy the Mt Mundane album on CD here