Interview: Regina Vandereijk
Singer-songwriter Regina Vandereijk, originally from the mountains of North Carolina and currently residing in Gouda, Netherlands, talks to Louder Than The Music about her new album, 'The Lord is There'.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I grew up in a family of musicians and songwriters in rural Western North Carolina-very remote, 30 minutes from the closest grocery store. I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t encouraged to sing or practice an instrument. When I first started university, I resisted the idea of music being my career, but eventually, I gave in after a vocal cord injury. I transferred to a conservatory the next year.
After giving my life to Jesus at 24, I quit singing professionally for a season. I gave the dream of making music to God, but during that time, I learned that songwriting held a key to intimacy with God. I eventually felt God call me back into professional music.
Tell us about your new album 'The Lord is There' and what the inspiration behind it was.
About a year ago, my husband and I were faced with a decision. We received an anonymous gift of €2500 through our front door, along with a note mentioning a song I had written. The note said the gift was to help fund its production and expressed faith that more gifts would follow. This was about the fourth time we had received a word like this and the second time we had received a large sum of money. After testing the words in prayer, we knew God wanted us to do more than just a few singles.
I collected over 40 songs that I considered finished and good, and I sent them to Trevor Michael. I couldn’t believe it, but he listened to all 40 songs with Ian Yates. They picked out 14 that spoke to them. During the pre-production process, I sat down and prayed, “God, all 14 of these songs were birthed from a place of intimacy with you. What’s the message of this album?” I felt the Lord lead my thoughts to an incredibly clear message and order.
Stylistically, the songs all fit together incredibly well in tempo and key, but it wasn’t the style that drove the order-it was the message. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I was blown away by how God longs to lead and help us in our work. The four musicians Trevor brought together for the album came with a heart to serve.
We spent five days recording all 14 songs at Echo Zoo Studio in Eastbourne, England. It was quite an experience and an incredible joy. Trevor and I continued working on the rough mixes, and after a few months and loads of extra studio sessions here and there, the songs were finally finished. The 10 tracks that made it onto the album take listeners on a journey through Scripture and my own life-exploring the depth of God’s mercy, the power of His love, and the hope we have in Him.
It starts in Genesis before creation and travels through to Revelation with an overarching message: Jesus told us He would return, and we need to be ready.
Which is your favorite track on the album and why?
Honestly, I don’t have just one. I have favorite moments in all 10 of them, but I can’t choose just one track.
To name a few moments I love:
● In Wave of Mercy , when the strings come in for the first time-it feels like you can see God speak things into creation as He forms the words.
● The third verse of Wake Up Boy , where the vocals and lead guitar have a beautiful duet. It feels like God is calling through the guitar, urging us to follow Him.
● In Promise Keeper , I love the moment where the men join in on the bridge alongside the women, as if the full body of Christ is daring to enter the Most Holy Place through Jesus and draw near to God.
● Two Become One has a lyric in the second chorus that I love: “All good things come from your holy hand. You are my promised land, the vine where all fruit comes from.”
● Open up the Doors moves me every time when the name of Jesus is sung loudly and clearly, and the spontaneous free worship at the end adds something truly special.
● In He’s Coming , the lyric and accompaniment in “Open Your Hands, Taste and See that the Lord is good” really captures how God longs for us to know His goodness. When He comes, He will fully establish His Kingdom, and it is good because He is good.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I hope that when people listen to these 10 songs, they see the big picture of the Gospel message and the Father’s plan to find a bride for His Son. He knew from the beginning what it would cost Him-it cost Him everything-but He was willing to pay the price to win the heart of His bride.
I hope listeners grasp not only the Father’s love for us but also that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses as we journey through life’s joys and hardships. I need to be reminded, rebuked, and encouraged daily to hold onto the hope I profess because He who promised is faithful. I need to keep my eyes on things above. This album is about persevering until He returns-getting people to look toward His return, be ready for His return, and engage with all the questions they may have about it. The Bible says some pretty intense things about His return, and Revelation isn’t always the easiest book to read. I think starting with the words of Jesus-what He says about His return-is the best place to begin.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I think this album fits into the category of pop rock with bits of indie here and there. The genre that inspired me most as a child is the North Carolinian folk, singer-songwriter, and gospel sound I grew up around at home and in church. I think that echoes through every song.
The musicians did a great job of capturing that sound with me. Before I became a Christian, I developed my own taste in music, which also influenced how I write: Michael Card, Kenny Loggins, Jim Croce, Lauryn Hill, the Fugees, Radiohead, Jewel, Paul McCartney (I prefer him to the Beatles as a whole), Andrew Bird, Coldplay, and U2.
I studied opera and worked full-time in opera for 10 years, so classical and operatic music expanded the way I write melodies. After I was born again 17 years ago, I started listening to completely different artists: Josh Garrels, Jeremy Riddle, Jonathan & Melissa Helser, Barrett Davis, Misty Edwards, Ascend the Hill, Enter the Worship Circle, and Shane & Shane.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I’d love to work with Josh Garrels. He has stayed steadfast in his faith, and it seems he knows the Lord personally. He bridges the gap between singing for the saints and still reaching non-Christians. He’s gifted, creative, and I’m curious about how he writes. My second choice would be Shane & Shane.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I prefer to use a Kingdom definition. Success is obedience to God’s will. I don’t think success is measured in numbers, followers, or even legacy. If success in Jesus’ life meant being made perfect by what He suffered, then it’s not easy to define success in my own life on my own terms.
As a musician, my goal is to obey God and serve Him where I can, while I can, for His glory.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Man, this is a hard one! I’ll go with Ascend the Hill - Hymns: Take the World but Give Me Jesus .
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, and you only have enough battery life to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
That depends on whether I need to be rescued from the island or not! Haha. Mary Mary - Shackles.
What does the next year hold for you?
2025 will be a new adventure as I step into life after releasing the album. We’ll be in the U.S. shortly after the album drops. In prayer, we feel a green light from God to travel and play wherever He opens doors for us. I’m in touch with festivals in the Netherlands and hope to reach out to festivals in the U.K. and U.S. after the release. I will continue working with my husband in Gouda, making disciples and serving the local church and our family of churches. We’re also looking forward to releasing a few radio edits, as well as acoustic and lyric videos. Co-writes are in the works, too. I’ll keep my work going with Royal Increase Music as long as I get a green light from God. We hope more albums will follow, but nothing concrete for now. Check my website and socials for updates on where I’ll be playing.
