Introducing Venerem
Venerem makes music in an unusual, unprecedented style.
As a Swiss reviewer recently remarked, Venerem’s arrangements are more like transformed artworks, based on early music ranging from the Renaissance to the Late Baroque. The style is subjected to a bold update that catapults ancient art into the future. In terms of ideas and craftsmanship, our arrangements are in the style of Classicism and Late Romanticism.
It is well known that early music often allowed room for improvisation, and Venerem makes full use of that flexibility to create something individual, something completely new. The listener has the impression of hearing original works: the music’s foundations are convincingly transformed with a fine ear for details of motivic interweaving, counterpoint, and contrasting harmonies.
Soprano, piano, electronic bass, and percussion coexist in Venerem in a thrilling combination that leaves the listener wishing for more.
VENEREM – the musical aphrodisiac of our time!
Laureen Stoulig-Thinnes
Founder
is one of the most sought after SOPRANO singer in eastern France. As a renowned lyric and baroque soprano, she performs with significant ensembles and is the official singer of “l'Armée du Grand Est”. She was chosen to be the patroness of the festival “Cabanes en Moselle” alongside Didier Lookwood and Robin Renucci. She is the initiator and co-artistic director of the international “Festival de musique de Valmunster” which takes place in the millennial Church of Valmunster in France and Initiator of The "Journées sans limites" / Mosel Department.
In early 2024 appears, under the label Indésens & Calliope Records, a solo album recorded with organist Dr.Prof. Vincent Bernhardt and the Chapelle Saint-Marc around the composer Dietrich Buxtehude. This recording was immediately unanimous among music critics. Note, among other things, the distinction of the famous 5 tuning forks, and the "Key of the month" at Resmusica, awards for remarkable releases.
Marlo Thinnes
Piano
Marlo Thinnes studied piano at the Saar University of Music in Saarbrücken (MM, Concert Exam).
As a prizewinner of several international competitions and a Meindl Scholar, he has established himself as an outstanding pianist. Solo performances at the Albert Hall in London and the Opéra Bastille in Paris, as well as numerous activities as a chamber musician and arranger, showcase his curiosity and versatility. His recording of Beethoven’s piano and violin sonatas, which was nominated for several international awards, is particularly noteworthy. His latest solo album featuring Beethoven's piano sonatas has been received by the German-speaking press as one of the most interesting recordings of recent years. This release further cemented his reputation as a visionary interpreter.
Since 2024, he has been leading his own piano class at the Conservatory of the City of Luxembourg, where he shares his experience and passion for music with the next generation of pianists.
Michel Meis
Drums/Percussion
Born in 1989, Michel Meis belongs to the new generation of Luxembourgish jazz musicians. He studied jazz drums with Oliver Strauch and Georg Ruby at the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken and regularly proves his versatility and openness through numerous projects. Besides his own jazz project, the Michel Meis 4tet, he currently plays with Everwaiting Serenade (melodic hardcore), the Gilles Grethen Quartet (jazz), Kleinkram (jazz) and the duo Blankx with pianist Manuel Krass (free jazz/electro). In 2020, Meis was chosen by the American drummer Jim Black to represent Luxembourg at Criss Cross Europe, a European project aimed at promoting exchanges between young musicians under the mentorship of an internationally established musician.
Simon Zauels
Bassist
After 10 years of playing the cello and getting experiences in classical music, he switched to the electric BASS. He studied Jazz Bass at the University of Music in Saarbrücken as well as in Mannheim and at the Popakademie. Nowadays he is playing in Bands of very different styles of music. From world music bands, which opened him the opportunity to play international concerts in Usbekistan and with the Choir from the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, to Jazz-Rock Projects and his newest Project Venerem. In addition to that, he has already performed with the Orchestra of the Saarland State Theatre and performed at various jazzfestivals.
In 2019, Zauels founded his own band Sameka, and began composing original music. The band's debut album was released in 2021 and was a finalist in the Future Sounds contest hosted by Leverkusener Jazztage.
In March 2023, Sameka embarked on a Taiwan tour, playing eight concerts from north to south, including a workshop concert at Fu-Jen University in Taipei.
Later that year Sameka got the invitation to perform at the prestigious „Jazzopen“ Festival in Stuttgart.
In March 2024, Simon Z. orchestrated a second tour in Taiwan to promote the second and new album "Sameka & Strings - Merlin's Journey," which showcases a string quartet. In Taiwan, the shows were performed with a string quartet from Taipei.
In December 2022, Zauels was featured in a four-page interview in the German bass magazine Bass Professor.
Jacek Brun, jazz-fun
"Ein außergewöhnliches Album, das sich jeder einfachen Kategorisierung entzieht. Anspruchsvoll, sinnlich und von großer künstlerischer Tiefe – unbedingt hörenswert"
Bruno Chiron, Bla Bla Blog
"Nous sommes dans un univers affolant, plein d’aplomb, de passion mais aussi de justesse avec cet album de Venerem dont le titre frappe fort à propos : Strike"
Frank Becker, Musenblätter
"Faszination, Genuss und hohe Kunst
VENEREM setzt neue musikalische Maßstäbe"
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