Welcome to post #2 of Dutch Week! I have been learning a lot already this week, including that Dutch = from the Netherlands = the same thing as Holland. This is helpful knowledge, especially when I continue asking Eric stupid questions, like if the Shout Out Louds, Jens Lekman, or Sondre Lerche count as Dutch music, and could I review them since I already know and love them? No. They do not count. I’m an idiot sometimes. I think I’ve said that before.
But! As not to let you, our adoring public, down, I have explored some great music while staring at my computer at work. Just kidding. But I have explored some great music! And while I have found several bands that I would like to share with you (one involving people wearing bear suits, NOT EVEN KIDDING), tonight I have chosen … We Swim You Jump!!! Partly because they have an awesome name, and partly because they are on the same record label as The Very Sexuals (Subroutine… also have you all downloaded the free album yet? It’s freaking free!)
We Swim You Jump is a pretty new band hailing from (let’s all say it together) the Netherlands! They have a demo EP out and they are working on a full album to be released *hopefully* at the end of 2009. There are only 2 songs up on their myspace (but they only have like 5 anyway, so whatever) but you should definitely listen to them because… they have a tight sound with strong folk/rock influences. I appreciate their unexpected chord changes and rough-edged voices, and they kind of remind me of the Format (Interventions and Lullabies). My final reason for listening to them is that one of their songs is called “Sharks,” and I’m confident that they, like us, live every week like it’s Shark Week (or Dutch Week, I guess). Love it.
Check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/weswimyoujump
Also, if you happen to speak Dutch (is that a language? Eric will answer this question in his next post!) or just enjoy watching foreign boys speak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3BfMX9PDzU
The Indie Handbook 
Dutch Blitz, fantastic game.
Great review, Kristin! I really hope to hear more from these guys. They have a good sound – hopefully they’ll flesh out their song set so we can really see where they’re going.
And I’m glad that you’re having such a learning experience with Dutch week. 😉 We all need those kind of weeks.
Keep up the fun work!