Spinvis

Infobox musical artist
Name = Spinvis


Background = group_or_band
Origin =
Genre = Experimental pop
Years_active = 2001- present
Label = Excelsior Recordings
URL = [http://www.spinvis.nl/ Official website]
Current_members = Erik de Jong

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.

Biography

"Spinvis"

In 2001 Erik de Jong, or Spinvis, finally feels ready to share his music with the world. The 40 year-old had been piecing together his songs in the years before and decides to send a three song demo to esteemed Dutch indie label Excelsior Recordings. Within two weeks a record deal is inked.

The label decides to keep the songs that Spinvis had recorded on his home computer. With some minor mixing touch-ups these songs comprise the debut album of Spinvis. In 2002 this self-titled record is released in the Netherlands on April 1st. The music press responds with a string of very positive reviews. The album reaches the number one position in Oor Magazine’s Moordlijst, which is an important alternative charts in the Netherlands.

Even though Spinvis is a one-man project, De Jong decides to take his music out on the road. Together with renowned musicians, including Toots Thielemans he plays at the "Crossing Border Festival" in Amsterdam. At the end of 2002, Spinvis’ song "Smalfilm" ends up second at the VPRO’s Song of the Year 2002 contest. In addition to this De Jong receives an Essent Award, a prize for breakthrough artists.

Spinvis and his ensemble completed a brief tour in early 2003. With labelmates Bauer De Jong creates a track for a "3voor12" ( [http://3voor12.vpro.nl a Dutch music webzine] ) compilation. In August Spinvis moves across the Dutch borders and performs in Germany (Haldern Open Air) and Belgium (Pukkelpop). On December 1st "Nieuwegein aan Zee" is released, it contains a live registration and a number of unreleased tracks. December 17th Spinvis closes the year by performing with an orchestra in Vredenburg, Utrecht.

In early 2004 Spinvis wins 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 composes a musical piece that consists of three rhythmical monologues. Actrice Roos Ouwehand, opera singer Lucia Meeuwsen and actor Hans Dagelet perform the pieces together with Spinvis. For filmmaker Theo van Gogh Spinvis writes the title song for the director’s television series Medea (television series). This six-part series on current-day Dutch politics airs in the winter of 2004. In this busy year Spinvis also contributes to Claudia de Breij’s song "Nieuwbouwwijk".

"Dagen van gras, dagen van stro"

During music festival Noorderslag the Ringtone Society presents a website that promotes the artistic development of ringtones. Spinvis participates in this project. The song "Idee Zeventien" ('Idea Seventeen') appears on the compilation "The Pet Series: Volume 4". Throughout the spring of 2005 Spinvis visits the Dutch theaters with his Lotus Europa tour. The band Solo plays as support act. In April Spinvis creates a theatrical show in which he mixes stock footage, with music and dialogue. Together with Hans Dagelet Spinvis performs the piece. On 11 September Spinvis’ performance at the Dutch Moroccan Music Experience is cancelled because the organisers oppose to the lyrics of the song "Het Mes van God" ('The Dagger of God'). The song’s lyrics are considered too sensitive as Spinvis refers to Theo van Gogh’s assassination in November of 2004. Spinvis contributes a guest performance on the album "Geluiden van Weleer" of at the close of every day. In November his own album "Dagen van gras, dagen van stro" is released. The album title is a translation of "Days of Grass, Days of Straw" which is a book by |R.A. Lafferty from 1973. The first single of the album is "Het Voordeel van Video" (The Advantage of Video). In December Spinvis initiates a tour in support of the album.

The second single is "Ik wil alleen maar zwemmen" (I just want to swim), De Jong creates a new mix for the song and also adds a dub version to the release. The song "Voor ik vergeet" ('Before I forget') becomes part of "Strips in Stereo". For this project visual artists draw comics based on 14 different Dutch songs. Hanco Kolk draws the graphics for Spinvis’ song. Strips in Stereo is presented in Paradiso, Amsterdam in March, in conjunction with Boekenweek 2006 (the annual ‘book week’ where awards are awarded and the who's who of writers meet during the 'book ball').

"JA!"

Together with Meindert Talma, De Kift, at the close of every day, Andre Manuel, Mondo Leone and D’r Sjaak, Spinvis is part of the NL Impressionisten. In groups of two the artists perform for a number of months throughout the Netherlands, starting from March 18 2006. Two days later "JA!" Is released, it marks the 100th Excelsior Recordings release. Spinvis recorded it with Simon Vinkenoog (a poet). Together with Arjan Witte (keys). The men play several dates in support of the album. Rotterdam, Antwerp, Groningen en Drachten are visited. Following this Spinvis and Vinkenoog waste no time and perform the show De Suikerklok (‘The Sugar Clock’). In the summer Spinvis and his band perform at Lowlands, Waterpop, Dranouter amongst other festivals.

Discography

External links

* [http://www.fabchannel.com/spinvis Spinvis on Fabchannel.com] full length video of Paradiso concert (02-12-2006)