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.
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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 approaches.
„Angst“ is an album of memories. Memories of World War II, of Dutch nazis, of “Fanta erfrischt”. But then also memories of the Seventies, of Saturday evenings and grandma’s place, with Dutch showmaster Rudi Carrell on the TV and the men in the family playing cards. And, “Angst” is also the first of three albums where the songs were improvised.
Covering songs by the Nits isn't the easiest task, and neither is it one that has been often undertaken. For the 40th anniversary of the band, some Swiss Nits-enthusiasts thought it was high time to change the latter. The result: “Isnt Nits”, a 3 CD-box with 51 cover versions from artists from around the world.
As usual with the Nits, another album means another approach. Gone are the more straightforward poppy structures of the two albums before this; “Malpensa” from 2012 is built on electronica and loops. 2014 is filled with celebrations for the 40th birthday which allows for a look back at history with a Best Of-box set and a second live album in 2015.
The Nits are children of the Sixties. In 2008 and 2009, the Nits publish twin albums, that bear the influence of the period of classic pop music. These are shorter, upbeat songs, that still bear their own unmistakable mark. Back to the future!
A band is not only made up of musicians, there is a team behind them. In the case of the Nits, it is something akin to a family: a manager who has been there since the beginning, a sound engineer who grew up with them and a lighting engineer who has worked with them for years. This is the centre of operations, around which revolve many more people.
«Les Nuits» - the French title to the second work of the reformed trio of Hofstede, Kloet and Stips. As suggested by the title, a very atmospheric, introspective oeuvre with intense moments of darkness and some upbeat and poppy songs. All in all, one of the most intense recordings in the long career of the band.
An important aspect of the work of the Nits is the close connection to the world of visual arts. As evidenced by their record sleeves, their videos that they design themselves, the many references in songs. Dive into the visual world of a pop band.
2003 and the cards have been reshuffled again. In time for the 30th birthday in 2004, keyboard wizard Robert Jan Stips returns after a pause of seven years. At first for a tour only, then for the recording of an album – and finally he rejoins the band.
Dutch band The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. A time for celebration! In this episode, we invited some guests to the party and hand over the microphones – not to the Nits themselves, but to their colleague musicians, friends and admirors from many different countries, from Switzerland via Great Britain to Canada. The updated version of a mix-tape, part three
The Nits have been a quartet with two female musicians since 1997. Now, in the year 2000, the band start a new millenium with a new album which is the only one recorded by this version of the band. «Wool» clearly shows the influence of the members, their background in jazz and soul music.
It is November 1996. The Nits are temporarily on ice after thre members left. Singer, guitarist and keyboader Henk Hofstede used the downtime to tour Switzerland with local band Stop the Shoppers. Among the songs was this special version of one track that would end up on the album «Alanankomaat» in 1997. A moment to remember,
In August 1996, the quintet with keyboard wizard Robert Jan Stips disscolved, leaving only two members: Singer, guitarist and keyboarder Henk Hofstede and drummer Rob Kloet. They record the album «Alankomaat» that is released in 1997. Then the new Nits set out on the road with two new female members. A very interesting period and a turning point.
The Nits have turned 50 this year. A time for celebration! In this twelfth episode, we hand over the microphones to fellow musicians, friends, collaborators and admirors of the band from the Netherlands . On this updated version of a mix-tape, people from France and Belgium share their thoughts on the Nits.
Dutch band The Nits are turning 50 this year – a time for celebration. This episode encompasses the years 1994 to 1996. The band follow two very diverse albums with hte more conventional «dAdAdA», become a fantastic live band.
Le groupe néerlandais The Nits fête ses 50 ans d’existence en 2024. Cet épisode fait la part belle à des entretiens avec des journalistes, musiciens et autres professionnels francophones de la scène musicale ; tous connaissent bien les Nits
Dutch band The Nits are turning 50 this year – a time for celebration. This episode leads back to 1992. After the very colorful «Giant Normal Dwarf », the band return is marked by makes an about turn with two albums of the year: «Ting» and «Hjuvi».
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.
