FIVE FAVOURITES: The Klittens

Blending buoyant riffs, playful lyrics and infectious melodies together to create their lo-fi indie sounds, Amsterdam five-piece The Klittens are gearing up to release their new EP, Butter, on the 8th March.

Formed of Yaël Dekker (lead vocals), Katja Kahana (guitar & backing vocals), Winnie Conradi (guitar & backing vocals), Michelle Geraerts (bass & backing vocals), and Laurie Zantinge (drums), the band have spent the past few months on the road performing live across the UK, returning to their hometown tonight (March 1st) to play their EP launch show at the Cinetol in Amsterdam.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with The Klittens to ask about their “Five Favourites” – five albums that have inspired their songwriting techniques. Check out their choices below and scroll down to listen to their latest single ‘Reading Material’ at the end of this post…

 

1. Blonde Redhead – Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons
Winnie Conradi: I remember the first time I heard Blonde Redhead. I was a 20 year old student who had just moved to Amsterdam. Their song ‘In Particular’ appeared in my Discover Weekly and I haven’t stopped listening to it since. Later, I got into Sonic Youth and this sparked an interest in me to listen to the full Blonde Redhead album. I was immediately hooked: the melodies are beautiful and quite dark, the album has a huge dynamic range, and the voices of Kazu and Amedeo are these perfectly imperfect entities. This album ticks all my boxes and there is not one moment where my focus drifts off. Simone, the drummer, is phenomenal and knows exactly how to weave himself into the songs, almost like a melodic instrument. This makes the music incredibly exciting to listen to, I’m always on the edge of my seat or jumping around listening to this. When I think about a future The Klittens album, this is a great inspiration for me because I would love for the debut album to also be dynamic, dark, exciting, emotional and poetic.

2. Stereolab – Switched On
Katja Kahana: One of my favorite albums, or compilations, is Switched On. I have loved it for so long and it still makes me happy. When first discovering the songs, I was so excited that I immediately wanted to share one with Yaël, who was already lying in bed, so instead I sang it to her while she was drifting off to sleep. The atmosphere has something optimistic and encouraging about it. I like the combination of grittiness on one side and warm melodies on the other, and how the consistent rhythm creates room for playfulness. Stereolab always inspires me when writing music.

3. The Prodigy – Music for the Jilted Generation
Yaël Dekker: I suck at these kinds of questions and I guess I don’t listen to albums the way they were “intended” enough. The first time I consciously heard a Prodigy track was when I was 9 and snuck into the movie theater to watch Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, an amazing movie. There’s this scene where Drew Barrymore dropkicks a buff sword-wielding Irish guy in a burning warehouse, underscored by Firestarter. I guess that just really resonates with me as an artist. Recently I came to the conclusion that I listen to this album a whole bunch, every day even, and I won’t stop soon. It’s the best soundtrack while walking through a city, doesn’t give you time to think, bleak enough to match the landscape. Just really good, in an angry and happy way, and also pretty damn funny.

4. Institute – Catharsis
Marrit Meinema: This is one of the few albums that never bores me, and I think that as a newcomer to The Klittens, it also, in surprising ways, ties in with what drew me to the band (and why I’m so happy to play with them). There’s a certain cynicism in Moze’s lyrics that resonates with me, which I also find in the lyrics of The Klittens. While themes may differ, the lyrics evoke a mix of poetry, a sense of banality and debunking preconceived notions of humanity. The drums sound amazing, Adam is a true machine, driving each song with such force and finesse. The gritty, distorted bass, the wailing guitar melodies as well as their upbeat riffs never cease to send shivers down my spine. It’s an amazing punk (rock) album, whatever genre you want to give it (i’m horrible at it), but still something you can dance to. I think it’s this attitude that I also find in The Klittens, which I love and hope to bring to the band as well (together with my distorted bass, naturally).

5. Kraftwerk – Die Mensch-Maschine
Laurie Zantinge: My father is a huge Kraftwerk fan and at home we always had either Kraftwerk or the Smurf House Hits CD on. Although the Smurfs also had a great influence on my taste in music, I think Kraftwerk is a bit more credible. I chose Die Mensch-Maschine because this album is packed with certified pop bangers and it is just true nostalgia to me. I was lucky enough to see Kraftwerk live a couple of times and everytime I see a Kraftwerk show I’m completely blown away. Normally I prefer watching bands where you can see exactly who is playing what instrument and making what sound, but with Kraftwerk I make the exception to enjoy watching four men in lycra suits standing still and turning some knobs. Also the sound at their live shows is always more than amazing, it really gives you the space to completely immerse yourself into the sounds of the pioneers of electronic pop music. Although there’s almost no similarities between Kraftwerk and The Klittens, I think the repetitiveness and drone-like sounds are things that I really like to take with me when writing songs.

Thanks to The Klittens for sharing their favourite albums with us!
Pre-order The Klittens’ upcoming EP, Butter, here

Check out the video for their single ‘Reading Material’ below

Photo Credit: Jade Sastropawiro

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Interview: Lail Arad (The Songs Of Joni Mitchell)

As someone who has felt inspired and in awe of Joni Mitchell for the last thirty years, counting Ladies Of The Canyon as one of my most played records, I was extremely excited to see that there is going to be a whole event dedicated to her and her incredible songwriting this April. Featuring wonderful musicians such as Emile Sande, Jesca Hoop, Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), Sam Amidon, Vashti Bunyan and Eska, The Songs Of Joni Mitchell will take place at the Roundhouse in Camden on 18th April, and has all been lovingly curated by musician and songwriter, Lail Arad.

We spoke to Lail about her inspirations for putting on the event, what to expect and how Joni’s legacy continues to live on and inspire musicians today. Have a read, and hopefully we’ll see you at the Roundhouse for what promises to be a magical evening!

For those who don’t know Lail Arad, are you able to tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? 
I guess my official day job is a singer-songwriter. I’ve been writing, recording, releasing and performing music for a many years now, and have a new record coming up soon… Meanwhile the touring hiatus started by the pandemic (and extended by having a baby) has led to some tangential music and writing projects… One of which we’re about to discuss! 

You’ve curated a very special event at The Roundhouse dedicated to Joni Mitchell, which is taking place in April. When I saw this was happening, I was incredibly excited as she’s one of my all-time favourites – such a completely inspiring songwriter and vocalist. So, thank you for putting it together! Are you able to tell us a bit about the event and what initially inspired you to do this? 
Perhaps unsurprisingly she is one of my all-time favourites too! Last year I was reading about her comeback appearances and noticed she was 79… I looked up when she’s turning 80 and realised it was the same month I was turning 40. So I thought great, I can celebrate her birthday instead of mine! The idea rolled on very organically from there – snowballed I should say – largely because everyone I talked to was so enthusiastic and wanted to be involved. So I approached the Roundhouse, who were equally excited about it, and from there we worked very closely together – are still working very closely together – to produce the show. It’s going to be the opening night of their annual In The Round festival. For me that’s just perfect because we’ll get the magnificence of the Roundhouse building, but with the intimacy and focus of the festival’s seated, in-the-round set-up. I always envisioned a very stripped-back affair, with Joni’s songs right at the centre; no big house band, just each artist sharing their own magical interpretations.

There’ll be a number of great artists performing, including Emile Sande, Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), Eska and of course yourself. How did you go about selecting who was going to perform – did artists reach out to you, or did you select people you thought would be particularly well suited to Joni’s songs? 
The main criteria really is to invite artists who are self-professed Joni fans and have been influenced by her work in some way. I hope this has led to a line-up which will reflect the many different worlds of music within her own repertoire, as well as the musical diversity she has gone on to inspire. 

And the lovely Cerys Matthews will be hosting the event. How did this come about? 
The thinking was very simple: Should we have a host? Yes, but only if it’s Cerys Matthews! Luckily she liked the idea. She’s a real Joni connoisseur, as well as a most excellent presenter. 

The Roundhouse is a pretty iconic venue, and I would think the perfect space for the songs of Joni to resonate throughout. As an artist and performer yourself, what has your experience been of different venues and their acoustics? Are there any particular qualities you generally look for when selecting places to play? 
There are certainly things I seek out when choosing venues, though I’m not sure I’m enough of an audiophile to consider acoustics first… I enjoy playing alternative spaces – galleries, bookshops, churches. And the Roundhouse is so special because it was originally built as The Great Circular Engine House – to turn around and service steam engines!

Obviously, Joni Mitchell is a huge inspiration to many vocalists and songwriters still today. How would you say she’s influenced the work you do? 
Probably so completely that I’m not even aware of it. I was brought up on her music by my hippie parents, so I’ve never not had her songs in my life. Like many songwriters I write very personal, confessional songs, and I take that freedom for granted – but I’m not sure anyone would be doing that now if Joni hadn’t dared to do it first. Also, many people probably think of her lyrics as largely, well, ‘Blue’… But I find so much humour and wit and playfulness in her writing, which I love and strive for in my own lyrics. She’s equally trailblazing in her musicianship of course – melodies, tunings, singing, piano, guitar, dulcimer, performance, production – and just the way she continued to explore and evolve. Having all that as an example, it’s like a horizon you keep walking towards, knowing you’ll never quite reach, but it urges you to keep moving forwards. 

And, I have to ask – what is your favourite Joni song (or album) and why? (I think my favourite album would have to be Ladies Of The Canyon…) 
I think I’m with you on Ladies Of The Canyon, at least nostalgically. It was the first record I really got to know, for myself. ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ is the first song I ever performed in front of an audience, aged 11! In a little yellow belly top from Gap Kids.

As well as a vast array of her own material, Joni Mitchell is also known for collaborating with a number of other artists, like James Taylor and Charles Mingus. Is there anyone in particular that you’ve always dreamed of collaborating with? 
I’d love to work with David Byrne. Or even just be one of the backing singers in Stop Making Sense, that would be enough for me. 

What do you think young artists today could learn from Joni Mitchell?
Do whatever the hell you want. And make sure it’s very, very good. 

A slightly off-Joni related question – but as we’re an organisation that promotes and supports women and the queer community in music, I just wondered what your thoughts were about the industry today, and how you feel its treatment of women has changed or improved over the time since Joni started out? 
Obviously we’ve come a long way since when Joni was basically the only woman in the room. The Grammys proved that recently! And obviously there’s still a way to go, but I do find it very encouraging how many incredible women I’m working with on this show. In the lineup, needless to say, but also: the head of music at the Roundhouse Lucy Wood, the production manager Anya Tavkar, our publicist Jodie from Stay Golden – that’s a lot of women at the helm.

We’re very much looking forward to the event! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Ah yes, I’d like to give a mention to the Roundhouse Vocal Ensemble, made up of young people from the Roundhouse Creative Studios. They’re going to be performing on the night – rehearsals are already underway, and it’s sounding super exciting!

Massive thanks to Lail for speaking to us!
The Songs Of Joni Mitchell will be taking place on 18th April at the Roundhouse, as part of the ‘In The Round‘ festival – it’s currently sold out, but you can join the waiting list for tickets here.

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

LISTEN: Sick Day – ‘Overexposure’

A sonic exploration of insecurity, whether rational or otherwise, Chicago-based guitar band Sick Day have shared their latest single, ‘Overexposure’. Taken from their upcoming EP of the same name, which is set for release in March 2024 via Substitute Scene Records, the track is a swirling, grungy reflection on feelings of self-doubt, and the way that this affects us as we move through the world.

Formed in 2019, just before the Covid-19 made sick days perpetually relevant, Sick Day consists of songwriter and vocalist Olivia Wallace, drummer Ryan Donlin, bassist Kaity Szymborski and cellist Chaepter. Together, the band create emotionally charged guitar tunes about the everyday struggles of life, romance, and as the band put it themselves: “the general difficulties of being alive.” They deliver these sentiments wrapped in infectious pop rock melodies and relatable lyrics, with their latest single ‘Overexposure’ being a prime example of these talents.

“‘Overexposure’ evokes feelings of anguish, turmoil, self-doubt…a reclusive state where everything feels bigger than usual and you begin to doubt your perception of the world around you,” explains bassist Kaity. “Is everything out to get me? Probably not. But in a death by a thousand cuts, you begin to pin yourself as the common denominator, and thus amorphously the cause of your daily struggles…It makes me think of the state of mind when ordinary daily occurrences and minor inconveniences can topple you over because of your own inner turmoil. A sort of breaking point that sends you spiraling inwards, doubting yourself and your perception of reality”

Despite this melancholy context, the single and the band’s upcoming five track EP, Overexposure, will provide a cathartic, buoyant space for listeners to spiral in solidarity. Listen below.

Follow Sick Day on bandcamp, Spotify, X, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Five Favourites: Joanna Sternberg

Probably my most listened to artist of the last twelve months, New York based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joanna Sternberg released their second album I’ve Got Me last year; an exquisite rumination on life’s difficulties and hopes which perfectly showcases their vast musical talent, I can certainly see why it received such widespread acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. As well as solely writing each and every song on the record, Sternberg also played every single instrument that you hear; creating a truly unique, genre-spanning collection. With an education in Classical and Jazz music, throughout the album they weave a rich tapestry of beautifully lilting folk-strewn sounds alongside reflective narrative lyricism; all brought together with their raw, impassioned vocals. It really is something quite special that I urge you all to immerse yourselves in, if you’ve not yet already.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate Joanna Sternberg’s upcoming tour dates, I caught up with them to find out about the music that inspired I’ve Got Me most. Read about their favourite songs (we’ve allowed them six choices!) and see details of their upcoming live dates below.

I remember the night before the first day in the studio, Matthew Johnson (of Fat Possum Records) told me to come up with at least one song that I wanted to use as an example to inspire each track of the album. It helped SO much and also made me even more excited to get into the studio. Here are a few of the songs that helped to inspire me!

The Pogues – ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’
The Pogues are one of my all-time favourite bands, rest in peace Shane MacGowan. And I actually wrote the song ‘I Will Be With You‘ while I imagined him singing it (with The Pogues accompanying him of course!).

Judee Sill – ‘The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown’ 
The ironic and strange thing is that I wrote ‘Drifting On A Cloud‘ before I was even aware of Judee Sill, though once I became “aware” of her, I immediately became OBSESSED! But then, when I was in the studio playing this song, I really had Judee Sill in my mind, especially this beautiful track, ‘The Lamb Ran Away With The Crown’.

Tom Petty – ‘I Won’t Back Down’
This is a song that I have been obsessed with since the age of twelve! It helped me get through the horrors of being bullied and excluded in the public schools of New York City. I wanted ‘People Are Toys To You‘ to have a similar feeling and arrangement as ‘I Wont Back Down’.  

Leon Russell – ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ 
I first heard Leon Russell’s cover of this song (it’s originally by Hank Williams) in the movie A Poem Is A Naked Person. It was near the beginning of the movie and I became so fixated on it that I don’t remember anything else about that film (except for the disturbing scene that I had to cover my eyes for involving a snake…)! Anyway, I definitely tried to emulate the feeling and energy of this song in ‘She Dreams’. 

Randy Newman – ‘Losing You’
Randy Newman is in the top tier list (in my humble opinion) of the greatest songwriters of all time. He has so many songs that make me cry, and I definitely took so much inspiration from ‘Losing You’ when I recorded ‘Right Here‘; I’m sure that I’d recently been listening to ‘Losing You’, so it was definitely in my mind and my soul while I was writing, even if I was not consciously directly thinking of it.

Roy Orbison – ‘You Got It’ 
Another song that I have loved this song since I was twelve (this is the age where I discovered Limewire and the art of making mix tapes!). I wrote ‘I’ll Make You Mine‘ while imagining I was writing it for Roy Orbison to sing. At the time when I wrote it, I was not even singing my songs – my friends would sing them, as I was too scared and insecure.

Massive thanks to Joanna for sharing their favourite songs with us!

I was lucky enough to catch Joanna Sternberg at a beautifully intimate gig last year at King’s Place, and would highly recommend making sure you catch them live too! They’ll be playing at Primavera festival in Porto on 8th June and End Of The Road festival between 29th August and 1st September, as well as opening for Jessica Pratt for a special night at Union Chapel in Islington on 6th June. Tickets available here.

Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez

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