Dutch band (The) Nits looks back on an extraordinary career of fifty years, in which the band has published an enormous amount of very different albums, has played countless concerts all around the globe and has participated in many side ventures. A band that chose its own path and that continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Starting out as a power pop band with songs in the vein of the Beatles, the Kinks or the the Hollies, they evolved into an outfit with an own sound, a mixture of pure pop with classical and neo classical, jazz and folk elements. Then came the hits, like "Nescio" or "In the Dutch mountains", but the Nits kept on exploring their sonic possibilities, thereby expanding the envelope of pop music. A curious band, in all senses of the word.
"Dial Nits" features core members Henk Hofstede, Rob Kloet and Robert Jan Stips in conversation, but also collaborators, friends and family from many different countries talking about the music and about the background stories to this unusual career of musicians from the Netherlands.
Production: Darren Hayne.
For many years, the Nits have been participating in side-projects with other musicians. The focus of this episode is on these rewarding musical expeditions and collaborations with musicians and singers from the Netherlands, Finland and Switzerland.
Where are these Dutch mountais? In the east of Amsterdam, in Watergraafsmeer. Rows of two storey brick houses, far from the touristy part of the city. A walk through the neighborhood provides sources for the many songs of the Nits, that have this place as a backdrop. A walk through the place with singer and lyricist Henk Hofstede.
Nits go on with their exploration of sounds and stories. The album “Angst” is followed by two more albums of tracks based on improvisation. The outcome are alternatingly challenging and beautiful, between classic pop songs and seemingly free form-structures. The albums “Knot” (2019) and “Neon” (2022) are unexpected late in the career-highlights.
This episode features the thoughts and insights of various musicians and a philosopher into the work of the Nits. They also share their views on why this oeuvre is important both on a musical and more general level. A colourful bouquet of different approaches.