Every Wednesday I want to share with you a Dutch band, to get you acquainted with the rich Dutch music scene. The Netherlands might be a small country but we have a lot to offer you. Let me take you on a journey through the Netherlands and its many talented artists and bands.
Welcome back to Going Dutch, this time we are going to Amsterdam, well no not really Amsterdam, the fields of Amsterdam, Hoofddorp to be exact, to meet Tim Vantol. Or are we, because he does not reside in The Netherlands much anymore, as he is married to a German woman. And lives his days in the southern part of Germany, in the Alps. Wow that sounds amazing!
Even though he spends his free time in the mountains in Germany with his family, his roots lie in the Netherlands so I am counting him into the Dutch music scene. And I think we should make him part of the Netherlands once more, because he is far more popular in Germany than in The Netherlands. So I am kind of writing this for you Dutchies as well! So let me tell you how I know about this awesome band.
Do you remember me talking about Frank Turner, about the concert in Tivoli I went to? No go and click that link, and read that post. No, Tim Vantol was not the support at that show, but he was the support act years before, when I used to go with Maarten to concerts. Maarten who got me into Frank Turner in the first place. Many thanks for that still! Anyways, we went to an acoustic show of Frank Turner in the Amsterdamse Bostheater. And you guessed it, Tim Vantol was the support act at that show. It was late summer and not the nicest of days, but fortunately no rain during the concert. I was not sure at first about Tim Vantol, I remember that Maarten bought an album right away at the show. It took me a little while before I got really into the music. I sometimes have to mull over it a bit, listen to the albums a couple of times before I decide if I like something.
When it finally clicked I became a fan, there we are 4 albums later (never counting live album), still very much enjoying the music. Tim Vantol can be compared with Frank Turner, you have a raw voice, acoustic guitars, and very catchy lyrics. Sorry Tim, I know you are sick of hearing this, but I have to compare it to something people might know. You could also see it as an acoustic version of the Dropkick Murphy's who have been as popular as ever. And have a more acoustic project going on, on their latest album that we still need to talk about.
It was a logical choice that Tim Vantol was the support at that Frank Turner concert. Genre wise I would call it acoustic folk punk. Or just acoustic punk. I am glad to see that various punk rockers have taken Tim with them on tour. Every punk show with Tim Vantol as support will become a double headline show for me. So keep it up, at least he will make it to the Netherlands then.
What I really love about this acoustic folk punk ish style of music, that it always sounds fun, and very important to me, you can easily sing along. And what Tim Vantol brings to the table personally is that is raw, it is down to earth honest music, without all the fuss. Also relatable lyrics, I am thinking of Broken Mirror and Restless, which can be counted as some of my favorites. Or think of the wholesomeness of "If We Go, We Will Go Together".
So yeah nowadays, you have the choice of 4 studio albums, an acoustic version of Better Days, an also you can enjoy a live album. I own almost all albums, just need to buy myself Better Days (the non acoustic version).
By the way, check out Tim's webshop, there is beautiful coloured vinyl available there, I am a sucker for coloured vinyl. I have added a picture of my cute collection, aren't they pretty?
Go buy a ticket to his show, go buy an album and support. Please note that these posts are not sponsored by the artist nor label. This is just me being excited, and I want to share this artist with you, and hope I have given you a new favorite.
As every week I have hand picked 5 songs for you to best represent the artist I am talking about. And of course there is a little bit of personal taste involved in the proces, but I do try to select at least on fan favorite. If you liked any of these, you can find all his music on Spotify and most other platforms for music.
Comments