musicXport.nl - Buma Cultuur

ackground
musicXport.nl
80
Aux Raus Deluxe
Swine flu, so what? The Aux Raus virus, now
that is deadly contagious. The recipe of
this Amsterdam duo is well-known, also for
Noorderslag punters from two years back:
fucking loud, ruthless, pent-up gabber punk
spewed from decrepit drum machines and a
heavily distorted guitar, but packaged in genuine
pop songs: songs with a beginning and an end
and a catchy chorus in-between. Additional
fun-enhancing elements: vocals with a thick
Dutch accent and scenes so overheated that
the pants are coming off regularly. Last summer
at Lowlands they were one of Promo’s guests,
this time Aux Raus throw a party themselves.
Exactly who will come along remains secret for
now, but one thing is certain: it will be clearing
up the mess deluxe!
Tim Knol
Predictions are always dangerous in the
wondrous world of pop music, but it seems
plain as day that just 20-year old singer/
songwriter Tim Knol is heading towards a
golden future. A talent the complete Dutch
roots community has been waiting for. When
it’s time for the remarkably battered-voiced
Tim to appear at Noorderslag, his debut
album on the ever so alert Excelsior-label will
be out, and we’re telling you: that’s gonna be
a record we’ll still be talking about in years to
come. Those who won’t believe that his songs
are at least as good as those of examples such
as Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, Rod Picott and
Ron Sexsmith, are invited to check him out this
autumn as the support act on Johan’s farewell
tour. Killing three birds with one stone!
Tim Knol
Awkward I
Awkward I
Rest assured: there is nothing awkward to
Awkward I, the brainchild of Groningen singer/
songwriter Djurre de Haan. On the contrary,
Awkward I’s indie folk, soft as a whisper
and recently registered on the appropriately
titled debut album ‘I Really Should Whisper’,
immediately sets you at ease. With the
emphasis on immediately, the reason why De
Haan & co. got themselves a slot at famous
showcase festivals such as SXSW (Austin),
CMJ (New York) and our own EuroSonic, at
a time when they didn’t have a record out
yet. So, moving on to Noorderslag this year
isn’t more than logical. Prepare yourself for
intimate songs about life, love and conscience,
and surrender to the power of I.
Eric Vloeimans Gatecrash
In love with a trumpet. That’s what you’re
automatically in for when witnessing jazz
maestro Eric Vloeimans and his quartet
Gatecrash (pianist Jeroen van Vliet, bassist
Gulli Gudmunsson and drummer Jasper van
Hulten). The man from Rotterdam isn’t seen as
the best jazz trumpeter of the Netherlands and
its surroundings for nothing, and internationally
put on the same pedestal as a Chet Baker or
Wynton Marsalis. The most important thing
from a Noorderslag point of view however, is
that his lyrical, velvety sound makes also nonjazz
fans melt like snow in the sun. It is sultry,
sensual music. Exciting too, and swinging, but
especially stunningly beautiful.
Bettie Serveert
See page 58.
Lola Kite
Lola Kite sounds like Cola Light. We don’t
make that up ourselves, you can read it
on their MySpace. So that we understand
where their name comes from, because the
music of this Amsterdam trio sounds more
like Hawkwind light: psychedelic space rock
with an eighties pop streak. Or the other way
round of course: like a psychedelic Orchestral
Manoeuvres In The Dark. Also contemporary
electronic bands such as Air, Phoenix and The
Knife echo in the ever catchy and danceable
songs of Lola Kite, who moreover loves to
jazz up something or other with a dive into
the dress-up box. Sonic richness, uninhibited
ecstasy, bear suits, Lola Kite is a treat for eyes
and ears.
Noah's Ark
Do you remember, the Ark of Noah? The
biblical vessel built to survive the Flood? Of
each species on earth two copies signed on.
Not so with Amersfoort hip hop king Jiggy
Djé’s red hot record label of the same name.
Here everybody is unique. How unique,
is demonstrated by two of Noah’s Ark’s
thoroughbreds: Turk and Kraantje Pappie, who
each do a short gig under the watchful eye of
hosts SpaceKees and Jiggy Djé himself. Be on
the lookout for Turk, who will undoubtedly
provide a taste of his forthcoming debut
album, while Kraantje gets an extra boost
next to his own Noorderslag-appearance. We
say: cast off and go!
Anne Soldaat
Once upon a time Anne Soldaat (Dutch for
‘soldier’) served in the Ermelo-based guitar
elite corps Daryll-Ann. After the break he
formed his own army Do-The-Undo, and now
Anne fights his own battle, as a musical Rambo.
In name at least, for the widely acclaimed
solo album ‘In Another Life’ on the Excelsior
label was created together with his American
soul mate Jason Falkner, and on stage he is
surrounded by a four-piece band of friends.
Anyway, Soldaat’s love for Californian pop
music from the sixties and seventies results
in magnificent, colourful songs, from acoustic
singer/songwriter ballads to sunny powerpop
and all the beauty in between. Forward!
Shaking Godspeed
Shaking Godspeed
The Achterhoek (a rural region in the far east
of The Netherlands) was always synonymous
with Normaal (Achterhoek’s most famous
band, and a national treasure). Until a few
years back, The Bloody Honkies wiped
themselves dry behind the ears with an oil
cloth and boxed the whole nation’s ears with
their swampy garage blues, drawn straight
from the Achterhoek clay. Unfortunately, The
Bloody Honkies exhausted themselves, but
never mind: from their ashes rose Shaking
Godspeed, the only true heir to the Honkies.
And, as befits an heir: Shaking Godspeed
picks up where The Bloody Honkies left. The
idiom is the same, but the music is hungrier
and more angular. Live is the influence of
blues really felt, a real increased bluesband.
The play at quarter past two at Noorderslag!
Anne Soldaat