Consisting of band members Sophia de Geus, Daniel Brem, Robin de Geus and Giorgio Paquay, 45ACIDBABIES have been releasing one dance-punk banger after the other. Their latest single ‘Only Class6 From Now On’ has a deliciously off-kilter music video, which will take one’s mind back to the earlier 2000’s punk era – oh the sweet memories of teenage angst and first heartbreaks. This Dutch band have received much acclaim, performing along with the like of renowned acts like The xx, Sleigh Bells, De Staat, and Millionaire.
We chatted with the band below and realised they are just as quirky as their sound.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Robin:
One of the first things Sob and I were really fangirling on would be the Arctic Monkeys. Their first album Whatever People Say That I Am, That’s What I’m No” lured us in with its raw guitar riffs and punky drums. It was everything we teenagers sleazing away their high school days ever wanted. Then Favourite Worst Nightmare hit us like a bomb. It was a bit more sophisticated and Alex Turner’s inner poet became a bit more apparent. Sob also mentions that at least then he was still really cute.
Daniël:
As far as production goes, it was always something I wanted to do, but never really had the time to get into. I did take some mixing and production courses at the conservatory I studied at, but that wasn’t enough. And then Covid hit and we eventually had music to record but no money to go to a proper recording studio. So with the help of a few friends, we built a recording studio in my parents’ Barn and recorded Mommy’s Favorite 1. After that, I realised this could really work and we’ve been recording at Paisley Kaas ever since!
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
Usually two of us come up with a framework which we then record in Logic. From there we really work out the structure, sound, vibe and other finesses of the song. Often that’s the demo version, but I do bounce some things I really want to keep from the demo to the final version. Things like drum samples, cut up and mangled vocal or guitar samples and synths have enough vibe in the demo to get bounced. The question I ask myself is “When we’re going to record the real thing, can I do It better?” If I think I can’t I’ll keep the sounds from the Demo. Then we’ll record the instruments and vocals for the final cut.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Instant noodles, the sheep outside the studio window and my fat cat.
As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I think it’s kinda strange that nowadays a tech company like Spotify demands artists to have an incredibly high output, like having to make five albums a year to be successful. That isn’t because the music industry needs it, but for Spotify to have more content to push to their customers. Especially in these covid times where there isn’t a possibility to make some money on live shows.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
There is nothing like the thrill of playing a good show and people noticing it. Of course, creating a new banger is super fun. But it just simply doesn’t compare to actually playing that banger live and not knowing, but feeling and experiencing people really getting off by it. It is that short tension arc of preparing for a show, working really hard, experiencing some obligatory stress and then that sweet release of letting all that stress and tension out on stage that we all chose.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Once we were having a band-meeting at a local bar and one of the waiters asked us if we were 45ACIDBABIES. When we said yes he proclaimed “Guys I love your music! Here take this pitcher”. So we gave him a big hug and all had a laugh together.
What’s on your current playlist?
Lady GaGa – The Fame
St. Vincent – St. Vincent
The Kills – Midnight Boom
Soulwax – From Deewee
Kero Kero Bonito – Intro Bonito
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
Some more singles bundled in an EP towards the end of this year and our second album release next year!
Famous last words?
Take a look at our webshop cause 45ACIDBABIES are a la mode.
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