Casa Musica.
Chapter three: Going offshore.
It was a hectic morning at the Van Heerden household. Michiel and Elise had woken up very early, and Herbert and Maria were already up and moving as well. Their flight to Brazil was scheduled for six o’clock in the morning, but Michiel, Elise, Thomas, and Samuel needed to be at the airport an hour in advance.
Elise had spent the night with Michiel and had risen at three o’clock to double-check everything and make sure they were ready on time. Even Herbert and Maria were already out of bed. Along with Mark and Linda, who had agreed to drive them to the airport, they were all preparing for the early departure.
Around half past three, the doorbell rang. When Herbert opened the door, he found Mark, Linda, Thomas, and Samuel standing outside.
“Good morning, Herbert,” Mark said.
“Good morning,” Herbert replied. “We’re almost ready, but please, come in—we still have some time. Fancy a cup of coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Mark and Linda said in unison.
Michiel came down the stairs and into the kitchen, where he saw Thomas and his parents, along with his father and Samuel.
“Good morning, everyone,” he greeted as he walked in.
“Morning, Michiel,” Thomas replied.
“Mom and Elise are in the bathroom. Mom had to help Elise with her hair,” Michiel said.
Thomas grinned. “Women.”
Michiel nodded in agreement.
Not long after, Elise entered the kitchen, followed closely by Maria. They all had one last cup of coffee before leaving for the airport at four o’clock.
When they arrived, the terminal was still quiet. Once inside, with their luggage in tow, the moment had come to say goodbye.
Linda and Maria were already teary-eyed as they hugged their sons, as well as Elise and Samuel. Before long, both were openly crying. Herbert and Mark shook hands with the foursome, but they, too, struggled to hold back their emotions.
“Well, this is it. I’m going to miss you so much, son,” Herbert said to Michiel.
“I’ll miss you too, Dad. But we’ll see each other every week, right? Even if it’s just through a webcam, we’ll stay connected!” Michiel replied.
“Absolutely. Take care of yourself, buddy,” Herbert said, his voice thick with emotion.
He hugged Elise and shook hands with Thomas and Samuel. As they made their way to the counter, they turned back one last time, waved, and then they were gone.
Maria collapsed into Herbert’s arms, sobbing. Linda also sought comfort in her husband, Mark, who had tears in his eyes as well.
“Half a year without seeing them… it’s going to feel so long,” Mark said.
Herbert nodded. “Yes, six months of quiet at home,” he sighed. “But at least we have each other. Let’s make sure we meet up again soon and do something together.”
“You can count on that,” Mark replied.
As the plane soared through the sky, Michiel gazed out the window, watching the clouds drift beneath them. Elise rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion from the early morning caught up with her. Across the aisle, Thomas and Samuel quietly chatted, flipping through a travel guide about Brazil.
“We’re really doing this,” Thomas murmured, glancing at Michiel.
“Yeah,” Michiel replied with a small smile. “Next stop, adventure.”
With that, they settled in for the remainder of the flight, anticipation growing as they neared their destination.
Around noon, the foursome arrived at the airport in Rio. A taxi driver was already waiting to take them to Tefé, a lake bordering the Amazon River.
When they reached the port, their cruise ship—the Costa Alverdia—came into view, gleaming under the midday sun.
Michiel and Thomas stared in awe, their jaws dropping. Even Elise and Samuel widened their eyes in amazement.
“Wow! This ship is huge!” Elise exclaimed.
“It really is,” Michiel agreed, standing beside her as he took her hand.
“Come on,” he said with a smile, gently leading her toward the man at the terminal.
“Buenas tardes y bienvenidos a Costa Alverdia. En nombre de todo el equipo, les deseo una estancia agradable.”
“I’m sorry, we didn’t have time to learn proper Spanish,” Michiel admitted.
“Ah, perdón,” the crew member said with a nod.
“So, I am Juanes. I’m here to welcome you aboard this fantastic cruise ship, and I hope you’ll have a great time and enjoy your stay. I suppose you are the members of Casa Musica? One of the musical acts on board?”
“That’s correct. Thank you very much,” Michiel replied.
“Well, if you wait here for a moment, someone will come to escort you to your rooms, and your gear will be taken to the rehearsal room we’ve set up for you.”
“Thank you!” they all said in unison.
Not long after, a crew member escorted them to their rooms. Once they had settled in, they agreed to meet on the deck to explore the ship together.
After wandering around and taking in the sights, Thomas stretched and said, “I suggest we go for a drink. I’m getting a little thirsty.”
“Good idea!” Samuel replied. He pointed to a nearby terrace. “Look, that one looks cozy!”
They took seats at one of the tables, and after ordering their drinks, Elise raised her glass. “Guys, I’d like to propose a toast—to an incredible adventure and to the most talented musicians on this ship, Michiel and Thomas. To Casa Musica!”
“To Casa Musica!” they all echoed in unison.
“And to a wonderful time together,” Michiel added.
Elise wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled. “You can count on that!”
Over the next few days, Michiel and Thomas were caught up in both regular and dress rehearsals, leaving them with little time to spend with Samuel and Elise.
Samuel was usually busy handling the sound, which often left Elise on her own. Not that she minded—after months of working on a new banner, managing other projects for the band, and keeping track of the accounts, she welcomed the chance to finally relax.
In the months leading up to their departure, Michiel and Thomas had played numerous gigs, allowing Casa Musica to start off at a solid level. Elise knew, however, that their earnings so far would be nothing compared to what they would make from the cruises.
In the last month before their departure, they had also recorded a demo CD featuring four of their own songs. Elise designed the cover, and they brought along a few dozen copies for potential sales. This had been arranged with Creative Productions, the event agency representing Casa Musica.
Beyond that, they had also been granted studio time to record their first full album. However, Michiel and Thomas had yet to decide when they would move forward with it.
After a full week of rehearsals, Michiel and Thomas felt completely ready. And just in time—by the next day, the first guests would arrive, marking the official start of their musical adventure.
That night, they performed a welcome set in the main bar. The event organizers had put together a Welcome Festival, where Casa Musica played alongside six of the nine musical acts on board.
The lineup featured a variety of groups, from cover bands to classical ensembles, and the evening concluded with a theater troupe performing Romeo and Juliet.
By the time Casa Musica took the stage as the third act of the night, the bar was packed. Seeing the lively crowd, Thomas couldn’t help but think back to their benefit concert in their village just before they left.
“Ready, buddy?” Michiel asked, standing behind him.
“Of course,” Thomas replied. Then, glancing at Michiel, he added, “Not feeling too nervous?”
“Surprisingly, not at all,” Michiel said with a grin.
“Perfect!” Thomas said. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
The moment had finally arrived—the one they had dreamed of for so long.
Michiel settled behind his piano, his fingers hovering over the keys as he took a slow, steady breath. Thomas adjusted his grip on his guitar, rolling his shoulders to release the tension that had built up despite his earlier confidence. A heavy silence filled the room, thick with anticipation. This was it. The first song of their first performance under a record label. A milestone.
Then, Michiel played the first note.
Elise recognized it instantly. Her breath hitched as a wave of emotion surged through her—it was their song. The one he had written the day after they had confessed their love for each other. The song that had captured every unspoken word between them.
Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. She had always thought this piece was a masterpiece, but hearing it now, under the glow of the stage lights, with Michiel’s voice carrying through the air, it felt even more powerful. He sang with raw emotion, each lyric infused with meaning, each chord resonating deep in her heart.
For Michiel, this wasn’t just another song—it was the song. The one that had come straight from his soul, written in a moment of pure love. And now, it was also the song that would mark the beginning of their journey. His voice remained steady, but inside, his heart pounded. He knew this was just the first of many performances, yet he also knew he would never forget this one.
Beside him, Thomas strummed his guitar, his fingers moving with precision, but his mind was racing. He thought back to the countless nights they had spent rehearsing, the long hours perfecting their craft, the sacrifices they had made to reach this point. And now, here they were—no longer just two musicians playing in small venues, but professionals, performing on an international stage. A slow, proud smile crept onto his face.
From his spot near the soundboard, Samuel watched them with admiration. He had always believed in them, but seeing them up there now, hearing Michiel pour his heart into the music, he felt something shift inside him. This was more than just a gig. It was the start of something much bigger.
As the final note lingered and faded into silence, a hush fell over the crowd. Then, the applause erupted. Elise was the first to clap, her hands coming together with force, her pride and love shining through. Thomas and Michiel exchanged a look—one filled with unspoken words, relief, joy, and the undeniable realization that this was just the beginning.
Michiel exhaled, a slow smile spreading across his face. We did it.
The set continued, with a mix of songs that got the crowd on their feet—some lively and upbeat, others slower and more intimate. The atmosphere shifted back and forth between exuberant dancing and moments of quiet connection as couples swayed together, lost in the music.
Laughter and applause filled the air, and time seemed to slip away unnoticed. Michiel and Thomas could feel the energy of the crowd lifting them higher with each song, the connection between them and the audience growing stronger.
As the night drew to a close, they decided to finish with a song that had always had a special place in their hearts—another tearjerker, one that carried all the emotion they had poured into their journey so far. The first few chords struck, and the room fell quiet.
Michiel’s voice, rich with feeling, filled the space, and Thomas’s guitar gently accompanied him. By the time the last note faded, there wasn’t a sound except the collective breath of the audience, stunned by the raw emotion they had just experienced.
It was the perfect ending to a perfect night—one that would be remembered for years to come.
As Michiel and Thomas cleared the stage, the band that would follow them was already preparing. The singer, a man in his mid-thirties, offered them a warm handshake, his expression full of admiration.
“You guys did an amazing job out there,” he said, his voice filled with genuine respect. “For two young guys, I can honestly say there’s still hope in the younger generations. Hats off, fellows!”
“Wow, thanks,” Michiel replied, a bit taken aback by the compliment. “We wish you all the best out there too. We’ll be right up front, cheering you on!” he added with a grin.
As the next band kicked off with a swinging tune, Michiel, Thomas, Elise, and Samuel couldn’t help but get caught up in the rhythm. They clapped and waved along with the beat, the energy of the night still buzzing in their veins.
It was a small moment, but one that solidified the bond between them, and the recognition that they weren’t just part of this journey—they were living it.
After several more upbeat songs, the frontman paused, taking a moment to express his gratitude.
“I’d like to take a moment to thank the entire crew of the cruise ship and all the bands who performed tonight,” he began, his voice carrying over the crowd. “And now, I’d like to bring the former band that played before us back on stage.”
Michiel and Thomas exchanged surprised looks as they made their way back up to the stage, a bit stunned by the unexpected request.
“These two young guys,” the frontman continued, gesturing to them, “have proven tonight that there’s still so much potential in the younger generations. Let’s all give these boys a special, very loud round of applause. They truly deserve it! Well done, guys!” He broke into applause himself, and the entire audience followed suit with deafening cheers.
Michiel glanced at Thomas and noticed tears welling up in his eyes. The sight hit him deeply—this was real. This was happening.
He pulled Thomas into a tight embrace, his voice barely a whisper, “Well done, mate.”
Thomas, his voice soft but filled with emotion, replied, “You too, buddy.”
Michiel stepped back to the microphone, still feeling the weight of the moment. “Thank you so much, everyone,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. He wanted to say more, but the overwhelming emotion left him almost speechless.
The applause seemed to go on forever, and in that moment, everything felt like it was exactly as it should be.
The evening slipped by in a blur, and after the final performance, the organizer took the stage once more, expressing his gratitude to all the bands and performers. His speech was met with applause, but the night was far from over. A DJ took over, spinning tracks until the early hours of the morning.
Michiel and Thomas spent a long time chatting with the members of Soul Generation, the band that had invited them on stage earlier. They exchanged contact details, and Eric Pearson, the lead singer, invited them to jam together again in the future. Michiel and Thomas were eager, happy at the prospect of another musical collaboration, and they both gladly accepted.
Eventually, after a night full of music, laughter, and new connections, they made their way back to their rooms, all four of them with a smile of satisfaction and gratitude printed on their faces. As they reached the doors of their rooms, they shared one last look, each accompanied by a smile of pride and gratitude before they entered their rooms. No words were needed to express their shared feeling of the perfect night they had just experienced.
Exhausted but content, they collapsed into bed. Elise nestled into Michiel’s arms, and as he held her close, a sense of peace washed over him.
In that moment, Michiel felt like the happiest person on earth. Everything he had worked for, every sacrifice, had led him to this point—a point where his dreams were no longer just dreams, but reality.
He drifted to sleep with a smile on his face, knowing this was only the beginning of their journey.