I call Laura Jansen. She is actually in a bit of a hurry because Edwin Oudshoorn is waiting for her with new outfits. This year she is traveling the world with DJ Armin van Buuren's Armin Only Intense Tour. She has a studio in Amsterdam and an apartment in LA. She is renting both out because she will be away from home for a long time. Together with Oxfam Novib, she visits projects where Oxfam is active. Of course, there are many performances, but she also wants to get to know the world outside the tour. She needs to prepare well because she will be living out of just two suitcases for the time being. Gigantic suitcases, but still. She will definitely buy some clothes here and there. On Friday, she departs for India. After that, South Africa, Mexico, St Petersburg, and New York are on the agenda.

SHOPPING

During my shows, I don't want to repeat myself, but because I can't take a lot with me on the trip, I have to pack smartly. I have a lot of black, as it is always easy to combine. I wear a lot of vintage because new brands are often already worn by others. I buy the basics at the Zara or at asos.com and for the real eye-catchers, there is my favorite store Found and Vision in London. It's a small vintage shop in Notting Hill. The owner always finds beautiful high fashion couture pieces. Very colorful and special. A lot of shoes, accessories, and red lipstick also go into the suitcase. That makes my outfit festive right away.

LISBON

To really relax, I go to Lisbon. I feel very anonymous there, and I can really find myself. It's such a beautiful, romantic city where you can eat and drink wonderfully. It's a bit run-down, but on the other hand, also modern. That makes it all very special. I usually rent an apartment with a rooftop terrace via Airbnb in the Alfama neighborhood up in the hills. You can't get there by car. It's a neighborhood where a lot of live fado music is played. When I go shopping, I go to the LX factory. Then large warehouses have been converted into restaurants, vintage shops, production companies, and many artists' studios. For a round of sightseeing I go to the guys from We Hate Tourism. With a jeep, you are driven around the city. You can choose from the graffiti tour or the let's-go-out-to-all-the-nightclubs tour or a round of good food.

PARIS

Actually, I'm tired of hotels, so I prefer to rent an apartment. Except in Paris. There I like to sleep in Mama Shelter. That really feels like home. There is a very relaxed, creative atmosphere. I don't like chic hotels at all; I prefer something that resembles my own home.

Le Mansart is my favorite café. It's around the corner from all the music shops. All the musicians hang out there a bit. I sit there in a corner of the café having breakfast, but also in the evening with friends for a cocktail. There are always fun creative types that I can't take my eyes off. All the real hipsters of Paris hang out there. 

LOS ANGELES

I rent an apartment in Los Feliz, which is located between Silver Lake and Hollywood. It's a bit of the artistic side of LA. You find many nice little one-man businesses there.

I eat and live very healthily. It's actually the only way to stay fit with this profession. All my girlfriends too, we all suddenly have an allergy to gluten and cow's milk; we prefer to eat organic. At Cafe Gratitude, I always drink very nice organic coffee, and the menu is full of nice raw food dishes. So I'm really not rock and roll. I stick to a good glass of whiskey.

My local pub is The Hotel Café in Hollywood. It's a kind of clubhouse for all my musician friends. You can drink nice cocktails there and listen to good music. John Mayer, Katy Perry, and Jason Mraz all started there and still sometimes write music there.

Ostaria Mozza is a very classic low-key Italian restaurant that I like to visit. Michelle Obama has eaten there twice as well.

In the old Largo, there is a very hip new restaurant. It has no name. They never answer the phone if you want to make a reservation, so you're lucky if you get in. But well, if you have managed to get a table, you belong to the club.

Restaurant Gejina is a lovely restaurant for when you just come from the beach.

To really relax, I let myself be scrubbed and steamed for a few dollars at the Korean Spa, especially for women.

For gifts (for others and for myself), I shop at Spit Fire Girl. A collective shop of all local designers. All unique pieces with a lot of humor. Especially for women. I would really like to bring everything home.

I actually never go dancing in LA. Just give me a good glass of wine, food, a candle, and friends. 

DEAREST COMPANY

I have the best girlfriends on earth. I see them far too little. A few times a year, we plan a girls' outing. The last time we went to Big Sur in California. Everything that makes life beautiful is there. On April 11, they are all coming to New York because I will be playing at Madison Square Garden. A dream come true.

CONCERTS

The most exciting concerts to give are in places where I think: how on earth did I end up here? In Beijing, for example. I had no idea who would show up there. I am really surprised then, and those are the best shows. But my best audience remains in the Netherlands. There is so much love there.

Laura will be touring through the Netherlands in January and February. Do you want to be there? Check for tour dates at laurajansen.com