Day 85: Spinvis - Kom terug

Spinvis issued his first album more than 11 years ago and many were pleasantly moved by the sound of his tunes. The most interesting fact was that he ‘assembled’ all of the songs on his own in the attic of his house. At that time, he had no public musical background and he held up the image of an all average, boring type making at the same time apparently brilliant music. In the years he has developed his music making, but throughout his albums always has kept the signature to his songs.

Here’s the first single of his 2011 release ‘Tot Ziens Justine Keller’ (Goodbye Justine Keller), named ‘Kom Terug’ (Come Back). What I find most fascinating is that the apparent simple songs come across as so touching. Simple here means no complex chord schemes or virtuoso play of instruments. It’s the skill of giving his songs a certain sound that lifts them and while not a brilliant singer, the lines add a dimension too, in form and in meaning, when you’re able to understand the language. That sound, again, may come from him fabricating the songs together on his very own. While performing them on stage with a band.

Spinvis is a very special one in the landscape of Dutch music, as not to say unique. Therefore I need to share this one, if it’s only for being one of the more accessible songs of his and inviting for more to listen.