Most don't often think of the sciences and music as influential to one another. However, one science student proves that the two are intertwined.
“I do have a fairly science-y mind in terms of logical thinking and processing so the theory of music, as much as it has interested me -- I always saw music as something I could do on the side and [as] something I could teach myself,” said UBC musician and fourth-year Science student Noah Derksen. “I can pick up an instrument ... give me some time and I can learn it.”
Originally from Winnipeg, Derksen moved out to the west coast to play for the men’s varsity volleyball team at 18. He no longer plays volleyball competitively, instead redirecting his focus towards his studies in the “realm of neuroscience” and -- of course -- his music.
His debut album was released on January 27, the encompassing theme being his experiences since moving to Vancouver -- the independence, discovery and changes in perspective that have all occurred since he ventured to the west coast.
As both a Science student and a musician, Derksen puts 100 per cent into everything he does. “I can’t stand doing a lacklustre job,” he said. In regards to managing all his activities in a timely manner, he said it’s been challenging yet fun and that the enormous commitment of varsity sports helped prepare him to balance his time. One area of his life has benefited another.
“Having those different perspectives, both academic and artistic, helps both your academic and artistic careers," he said.
In addition to being a self-taught musician, Derksen has been writing his own music for the past couple years.
“It gets to a point where you need to kind of take the next step forward in terms of continuously challenging yourself -- to write your own music and perform your own music,” he said. He cites musicians such as Ben Howard, John Meyer, Ray Lafontaine and Damien Rice as major musical influences and Leonard Cohen as a lyrical influence.
He describes his style as contemplative folk. Being both an observational and critically thinking individual, his music is his “invitation to other people who listen to [his] music [to be] immersed in it.” One can see the intersections between his artistic and neurological sides. Derksen wants his listeners to be exposed to deep contemplation when experiencing his music.
With one more year left in his undergrad, Derksen plans to take some time off after graduation and pursue his music full-time with travelling (and touring) hopefully in the mix. A career in neuroscience or health sciences is also a possibility but nothing is presently set in stone.
“I just want to keep everything as open ended as possible to be able to dive into different paths and different components of life,” he said.
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