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.
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.
„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 are turning 50 this year – a time for celebration. This episode leads back to the year 1990 and a very colorful album that follows the years of big success. « Giant Normal Dwarf » is the second album recorded as a trio.
The Nits celebrate their 50 years of existence in 2024. In this episode, we revisit the year of their biggest success: song and album "In the Dutch Mountains" turn the NIts into a European household name, the mini-album "Hat" in 1988 and the live album "Urk" confirm their growing confidence.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. A time for celebration! In this seventh episode, we go back tot he year 1986. This marks an important turning point in the life of the Dutch popband. The album «Henk» and a compilation album «La Grande Parade » organized by Henk Hofstede show new possibilities for the band is down to three members in the studio.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. A time for celebration! In this sixth episode, we invited some guests to the party and hand over the microphones to non-members of the Nits, to fellow musicians, friends, collaborators and admirors. On this updated version of a mix-tape, you will hear people from the Netherlands express their thoughts on the Nits.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. In this fifth episode, we turn back to the year 1984. This is a pivotal time once again. The band is on the verge of becoming big in a commercial sense. They work at a big studio, with a name producer – but the success of both the album and the singles didn't measure up to expectations.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. In this third episode we visit the year 1983, a major turning point in the musical life of the Dutch band. Alex Roelofs, the original bass player, has left and was replaced by Robert Jan Stips, an experienced pianist and keyboard-player. A change which stears the band into a new territory.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. In this third episode, we retrace the first steps of a band that has become professional, sort of. They have a contract with a major company and they record three albums that fit into the musical style of the day.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. In this second episode we go back in time to back to the beginnings in 1974. Three founding members talk about their meeting and bonding over the music of the Sixties that ignited their wish to play music. From rehearsing in attics to AIR studios, George Martin's home base in London – the first steps of the Nits.
The Nits are turning 50 in 2024. The three core members sit down for a first conversation as an introduction into their world. In this episode, they talk about looking back in time, about the burning down of their fabled working space Werf, and what that loss means for their work. And last but not least, whether they have reasons to be proud.
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