Spinvis
Encyclopedia
Spinvis is a Dutch
one-man project centred around Erik de Jong (born 2 February 1961, Spijkenisse
). Using experimental, lo-fi music
, Spinvis became an instant success in his home country, earning two gold records in the process and performing sold-out tours in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
. Within two weeks, a record deal was signed.
The label decided to keep the songs that had been recorded by Spinvis on his home computer. With some minor mixing touch-ups these songs comprised Spinvis' first album, released in the Netherlands on 1 April 2002. The music press responded with very positive reviews and the album reached the number one position in Oor magazine’s Moordlijst, an important alternative chart in the Netherlands.
Even though Spinvis is a one-man project, De Jong decided to take his music on the road. Together with renowned musicians, including Toots Thielemans
, he played at the Crossing Border Festival
in Amsterdam
. At the end of 2002, Spinvis’ song "Smalfilm" was second in the VPRO
’s Song of the Year 2002 contest. In addition to this De Jong received an Essent Award, a prize for breakthrough artists.
Spinvis and his ensemble completed a brief tour in early 2003. With labelmates Bauer
, De Jong created a track for a 3voor12 (a Dutch music webzine) compilation. In August, Spinvis performed in Germany (Haldern Open Air) and Belgium (Pukkelpop). On 1 December, "Nieuwegein aan Zee" was released, containing a live registration and a number of unreleased tracks. On 17 December, Spinvis performed with an orchestra in Vredenburg, Utrecht
.
In early 2004, Spinvis won two Dutch awards, the Silver Harp and the Annie M.G. Schmidt prize. In honour of the fourth edition of the Cross-Linx festival De Jong composed a musical piece that consists of three rhythmical monologues. Actress Roos Ouwehand, opera singer Lucia Meeuwsen and actor Hans Dagelet performed the pieces together with Spinvis. For filmmaker Theo van Gogh
, Spinvis wrote the title song for the television series Medea. This six-part series on Dutch politics was shown in the winter of 2004. In this busy year Spinvis also contributed to Claudia de Breij
’s song "Nieuwbouwwijk".
played as support act. In April, Spinvis created a theatrical show in which he mixed stock footage with music and dialogue. Together with Hans Dagelet, Spinvis performed the piece. On 11 September, Spinvis’ performance at the Dutch Moroccan Music Experience was cancelled because the organisers objected to the lyrics of the song "Het Mes van God" ('The Dagger of God'). The song’s lyrics were considered too sensitive as Spinvis refers to Theo van Gogh’s assassination in November 2004. Spinvis made a guest appearance on the album Geluiden van Weleer of the band, at the close of every day
. In November, his own album Dagen van gras, dagen van stro was released. The album's title is a translation of Days of Grass, Days of Straw, a book by R.A. Lafferty from 1973. The first single from the album was "Het Voordeel van Video" (The Advantage of Video). In December, Spinvis began a tour in support of the album.
The second single was "Ik wil alleen maar zwemmen" (I just want to swim). De Jong created a new mix for the song and also added a dub version to the release. The song "Voor ik vergeet" (Before I forget) became part of Strips in Stereo. For this project, visual artists drew comics based on 14 Dutch songs. Hanco Kolk drew the graphics for Spinvis’ song. Strips in Stereo was presented in Paradiso
, Amsterdam
, in March, in conjunction with Boekenweek 2006
(the annual ‘book week’ where awards are awarded and writers meet during the 'book ball').
, De Kift
, at the close of every day, Andre Manuel
, Mondo Leone and D’r Sjaak, Spinvis was part of the NL Impressionisten. In groups of two, the artists performed for a number of months throughout the Netherlands, starting on 18 March 2006. Two days later JA! was released, the 100th Excelsior Recordings
release. Spinvis recorded it with poet Simon Vinkenoog
and Arjan Witte (keys). The men played several dates in support of the album: Rotterdam
, Antwerp, Groningen and Drachten
were visited. Following this Spinvis and Vinkenoog wasted no time and performed the show De Suikerklok (The Sugar Clock). In the summer, Spinvis and his band performed at Lowlands
, Waterpop and Folk Dranouter
amongst other festivals.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
one-man project centred around Erik de Jong (born 2 February 1961, Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse
Spijkenisse is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 74,482 in 2006, and covers an area of 30.23 km²...
). Using experimental, lo-fi music
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
, Spinvis became an instant success in his home country, earning two gold records in the process and performing sold-out tours in both the Netherlands and Belgium.
Spinvis
In 2001, Erik de Jong, or Spinvis, at the age of 40, sent a three song demo to the Dutch indie label, Excelsior RecordingsExcelsior Recordings
Excelsior Recordings is an independent record label located in Utrecht, Netherlands, born out of a love - for 7" vinyl, and anger - over almost-famous Dutch band’s Daryll-Ann's luck. First up was a single release; Nothing sucks like Electrolux...
. Within two weeks, a record deal was signed.
The label decided to keep the songs that had been recorded by Spinvis on his home computer. With some minor mixing touch-ups these songs comprised Spinvis' first album, released in the Netherlands on 1 April 2002. The music press responded with very positive reviews and the album reached the number one position in Oor magazine’s Moordlijst, an important alternative chart in the Netherlands.
Even though Spinvis is a one-man project, De Jong decided to take his music on the road. Together with renowned musicians, including Toots Thielemans
Toots Thielemans
Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans , known as Toots Thielemans, is a Belgian jazz musician well known for his guitar and harmonica playing as well as his whistling. Thielemans is credited as one of the greatest harmonica players of the 20th century...
, he played at the Crossing Border Festival
Crossing Border Festival
Crossing Border Festival is an annual festival in The Hague, Netherlands focusing on new pop music acts and literature. The first edition took place in 1993. The festival was once held in Amsterdam, but afterwards shifted back to The Hague.-1993:...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. At the end of 2002, Spinvis’ song "Smalfilm" was second in the VPRO
VPRO
The VPRO was established in the Netherlands in 1926 as a religious broadcasting organization. Falling under the Protestant pillar, it represented the Liberal Protestant current...
’s Song of the Year 2002 contest. In addition to this De Jong received an Essent Award, a prize for breakthrough artists.
Spinvis and his ensemble completed a brief tour in early 2003. With labelmates Bauer
Bauer (Dutch band)
Bauer is a band founded in 1999 by former Bettie Serveert drummer Berend Dubbe and based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The band writes upbeat electronic music.-Discography:...
, De Jong created a track for a 3voor12 (a Dutch music webzine) compilation. In August, Spinvis performed in Germany (Haldern Open Air) and Belgium (Pukkelpop). On 1 December, "Nieuwegein aan Zee" was released, containing a live registration and a number of unreleased tracks. On 17 December, Spinvis performed with an orchestra in Vredenburg, Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
.
In early 2004, Spinvis won two Dutch awards, the Silver Harp and the Annie M.G. Schmidt prize. In honour of the fourth edition of the Cross-Linx festival De Jong composed a musical piece that consists of three rhythmical monologues. Actress Roos Ouwehand, opera singer Lucia Meeuwsen and actor Hans Dagelet performed the pieces together with Spinvis. For filmmaker Theo van Gogh
Theo van Gogh (film director)
Theodoor "Theo" van Gogh was a Dutch film director, film producer, columnist, author and actor.Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film Submission, which criticized the treatment of women in Islam and aroused controversy among Muslims...
, Spinvis wrote the title song for the television series Medea. This six-part series on Dutch politics was shown in the winter of 2004. In this busy year Spinvis also contributed to Claudia de Breij
Claudia de Breij
Claudia de Breij is a Dutch comedian, show host and radio disk jockey.-Notes:...
’s song "Nieuwbouwwijk".
Dagen van gras, dagen van stro
During the Noorderslag music festival. the Ringtone Society presented a website that promoted the artistic development of ringtones. Spinvis participated in this project. The song "Idee Zeventien" ('Idea Seventeen') appeared on the compilation The Pet Series: Volume 4. During spring 2005, Spinvis Performed in Dutch theaters with his Lotus Europa tour. The band SoloSolo (band)
Solo is the musical outfit of Dutch musicians Michiel Flamman and Simon Gitsels. The duo released two albums, of which the latest Solopeople was the biggest success. The album released on label Excelsior Recordings spawned a Dutch top 20 hit with Come Back To Me.-Songs ’n Sounds :In 2003 Flamman...
played as support act. In April, Spinvis created a theatrical show in which he mixed stock footage with music and dialogue. Together with Hans Dagelet, Spinvis performed the piece. On 11 September, Spinvis’ performance at the Dutch Moroccan Music Experience was cancelled because the organisers objected to the lyrics of the song "Het Mes van God" ('The Dagger of God'). The song’s lyrics were considered too sensitive as Spinvis refers to Theo van Gogh’s assassination in November 2004. Spinvis made a guest appearance on the album Geluiden van Weleer of the band, at the close of every day
At the close of every day
thumb|250px|Minco Eggersman of at the close of every dayat the close of every day is a Dutch band, consisting of Minco Eggersman and Axel Kabboord. Their music, a mix of slow pop music with symphonic elements, has been described as "night music". Most of their songs concern Christian religion,...
. In November, his own album Dagen van gras, dagen van stro was released. The album's title is a translation of Days of Grass, Days of Straw, a book by R.A. Lafferty from 1973. The first single from the album was "Het Voordeel van Video" (The Advantage of Video). In December, Spinvis began a tour in support of the album.
The second single was "Ik wil alleen maar zwemmen" (I just want to swim). De Jong created a new mix for the song and also added a dub version to the release. The song "Voor ik vergeet" (Before I forget) became part of Strips in Stereo. For this project, visual artists drew comics based on 14 Dutch songs. Hanco Kolk drew the graphics for Spinvis’ song. Strips in Stereo was presented in Paradiso
Paradiso (Amsterdam)
Paradiso is an iconic rock music venue and cultural center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.-History:It is housed in a converted former church building that dates from the nineteenth century and that was used until 1965 as the meeting hall for a liberal Dutch religious group known as the "Vrije...
, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, in March, in conjunction with Boekenweek 2006
Boekenweek
In the Netherlands, the Boekenweek is an annual "week" of ten days dedicated to Dutch literature. It is held in March since 1932. Each Boekenweek has a theme. The beginning of the Boekenweek is marked by the Boekenbal , a gathering that is attended by writers and publishers...
(the annual ‘book week’ where awards are awarded and writers meet during the 'book ball').
JA!
Together with Meindert TalmaMeindert Talma & the Negroes
Meindert Talma is a Dutch lo-fi singer and keyboardist whose backing band goes by the name of "the Negroes." He sings in Dutch as well as West Frisian and English and has released seven albums .-Biography:...
, De Kift
De Kift
De Kift is a Dutch musical ensemble that was formed in 1988. Their music might be best classified as fanfare with influences of rock and punk. The band is closely connected to and befriended with The Ex with whom they did several projects together....
, at the close of every day, Andre Manuel
André Manuel
This wiki is about the Dutch singer. For the American hip hop producer, see The Unknown DJAndré Manuel is a Dutch singer and performer...
, Mondo Leone and D’r Sjaak, Spinvis was part of the NL Impressionisten. In groups of two, the artists performed for a number of months throughout the Netherlands, starting on 18 March 2006. Two days later JA! was released, the 100th Excelsior Recordings
Excelsior Recordings
Excelsior Recordings is an independent record label located in Utrecht, Netherlands, born out of a love - for 7" vinyl, and anger - over almost-famous Dutch band’s Daryll-Ann's luck. First up was a single release; Nothing sucks like Electrolux...
release. Spinvis recorded it with poet Simon Vinkenoog
Simon Vinkenoog
Simon Vinkenoog was a Dutch poet and writer. He was the editor of the anthology Atonaal , which launched the Dutch "Fifties Movement"....
and Arjan Witte (keys). The men played several dates in support of the album: Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Antwerp, Groningen and Drachten
Drachten
Drachten is a Dutch town, located in the municipality of Smallingerland in the province of Friesland.-Beginnings:Drachten began as a small community on the east side of the Drait River. There, early settlers started draining the land to use it for agriculture...
were visited. Following this Spinvis and Vinkenoog wasted no time and performed the show De Suikerklok (The Sugar Clock). In the summer, Spinvis and his band performed at Lowlands
A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise
A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise, also known as simply Lowlands, is a music festival, held annually in the Netherlands in August. Lowlands has about 55,000 visitors, over 200 acts and more than ten stages every year which are named according to the NATO phonetic alphabet apart from the Grolsch...
, Waterpop and Folk Dranouter
Folk Dranouter
Folk Dranouter is a yearly folk festival spanning four days at the beginning of August in the Belgian village Dranouter. Since 2005, a second, smaller festival, Dranouter aan zee is organised in De Panne on the beach near the end of April....
amongst other festivals.
Discography
- Spinvis (2002)
- Dagen van gras, dagen van stro (2005)
- Ja! (2006)
- Goochelaars & Geesten (2007)
- Ritmebox (2008)
- Tot Ziens, Justine Keller (2011)
External links
- Official website (in Dutch)