Hannes van der Westhuizen
a fishing village on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Hannes spent decades toiling on the grueling offshore oil rigs, nurturing a tough exterior while harboring a sensitive appreciation for the delicate nuances of sound. Though hardened by his tough environment, he remains a gentle soul, apologizing to inanimate objects and treasuring the sounds that most ignore. The beach near his home is a sacred retreat where he walks to reset his mind and find inspiration for his unusual sonic creations.
About
Obsession
The distinct sound each type of glass makes when it breaks
Voice
Whispers in the wind
Genre
Coastal Industrial Ambient
Instrumentation
Rusty oil drum percussion, broken glass, beach pebbles, aged accordion
Vocal Style
Wind-rasped murmurs through parched lips
Production Style
Recorded in a corrugated metal shed by the sea, utilizing found elements
Influences
Skeleton Coast landscapes, life on oil rigs, sound of breaking glass
Selected 3 times · Last: March 31, 2026