Carly E

About Carly E

Carly E (Carlijn van Wijk) began playing cello and singing at the age of five. Between 12 and 18, she toured extensively across Europe as a member of the prestigious Youth Orchestra of The Netherlands. After moving to London in 2012, she soon relocated to Buenos Aires, where she lived until 2016. It was far from home that she discovered her unique musical voice, evolving into a singer, composer, and solo artist who skillfully accompanies herself on cello using a loop pedal, creating a distinctive and intimate sound.

Throughout her career, Carly E has performed at renowned venues such as DeLaMar Theater, De Roode Bioscoop, and iconic festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Red Light Jazz Festival and Lago Lago festival. Her early influences include cello legend Yo-Yo Ma, jazz and soul icons Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird. Over time, her artistry evolved into crafting minimalist neoclassical compositions with a cinematic atmosphere, inspired by artists like Ludovico Einaudi, Agnes Obel, Joep Beving and Maarten Vos.

At the end of September 2024, Carly E celebrated the successful release of her neo-classical instrumental album Natural at Amsterdam’s esteemed theater De Roode Bioscoop. Composed by Carly E herself and produced with support from pianist and producer Cédric Vermue, Natural features minimalist neoclassical pieces that cut straight to the core. Her cello mastery creates deeply emotive music where every note lingers with intention, complemented by sparse piano, subtle electronics, and occasional vocals. Following the release, Carly embarked on a successful tour, with many venues selling out, culminating in a performance at the well-known Lago Lago Festival.

Address

• Headquarters

  Beethovenstraat 31077HK AmsterdamNoord-Holland, Netherlands

Team by function

Based on 2 public job profiles as of 4 September 2026.

• Other / Unclassifiable2