Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-07
Amsterdam songwriter Bart van der Elst has launched a new project called Total Joy with its first single, “Shining Light.” The song floats between ’60s and ’70s jangle, psych-folk and contemporary indie, drawing on Donovan, the warm colors of Californian baroque pop and the understated side of modern indie.
Watch the official video for “Shining Light.”
After years of being active as a musician, including as a member of Indian Askin, Van der Elst is embarking on a new, personal chapter with Total Joy. The project’s songs drift between the nostalgia of ’70s folk, early psychedelia and contemporary indie, with a sound reminiscent of artists including Donovan and Cut Worms.
For Total Joy’s debut album, Van der Elst brought together a group of friends and fellow musicians, each adding their own character to the songs. The result is a personal and layered album, balancing melancholy and lightness while bringing together influences from different musical eras in a contemporary sound.
At the heart of Total Joy lies a fascination with timeless beauty. Philosophy, mysticism, the realm of fairy tales and astrology serve as key sources of inspiration, shaping both the lyrics and the project’s visual language. This creates a unique world around the music—one that does not merely imitate the past, but uses it as a gateway to something that seems to exist outside of time.
Total Joy’s debut album will be released on January 8, 2027. The release will be celebrated that same day with a show at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam.
Total Joy with TBA and Sunset Society DJ-Team
Friday, January 8, 2027
Doors: 8 p.m. | Show: 9 p.m.
De Nieuwe Anita
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Show and ticket information
Follow Total Joy on Instagram or visit the project’s official Linktree for music and additional information.
