Dial Nits

On Monday, the 16th of May 2022, a fire destroyed their rehearsal room, studio and archive of Dutch band The Nits. Despite this devastating event, that robbed the band of their creative laboratory, the musicians and their team went on. The first step was to record six songs that document the burning of the Werf.

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.