As active members of the vibrant local music scene in Groningen in the Netherlands, Real Farmer release debut album Compare What’s There in March. After they shared new single ‘The Straightest Line’ we found out a little more about the four-piece.
As a way of introduction could you share how you got together?
Real Farmer has undergone a few changes in formation since its onset. But it all started as many bands do, with a group of friends writing some punk songs one afternoon. And we’ve continued doing just that since. Although now our influences have broadened a bit more, coming from blues, postpunk and also more indie rock.
Your single ‘The Straightest Line’ was created in just one session. Was that intentional or just how it happened for this song? Can you share a little on your creative process?
We write by just stepping into the rehearsal space and see what comes out. Sometimes someone brings an idea, that can be a guitar riff or melody or a bass line, and we start workshopping it together. With this particular song Peter already had most of the chords figured out and pretty soon into the rehearsal the whole song was coming together. We wanted to keep things simple, but it wasn’t necessarily intentional to finish it right away. But when something works, it works.
What can listeners expect from the album?
It’s a collection of songs we wrote together during the pandemic, so there’s a lot of pent-up energy, excitement but also a bit of anger and sadness. To give a bit of context, our new guitarist Peter had just joined us, and so we wanted to do away with our old set and write a new one entirely. We’d booked our first tour in Belgium so that became our deadline, so most of the album was written in one or two months of weekends coming together just to write. Not out of haste, but by fully immersing ourselves in the writing and finding out what works for us as a group.
How are you feeling about your debut album being released?
Very excited, we’ve been working towards this release for over a year, so it’s nice to finally have it out there! But we’re also looking forward to writing and recording the next one. We’re always busy writing new stuff, not lingering too long on what we’ve made.
You’re joining fellow Dutch bands Personal Trainer and The Klittens on some dates in the UK, as well as doing a number of your own headline shows. There seems to be a real hotbed of music coming out of Holland at the moment.
Yes, definitely. To name a few of our favourites in no particular order: Frontsector, The Homesick, The Klittens, a fungus, eigen risico, Oust, Youth Deprivation, The Breed, Forbidden Wizards, Weak Moves, Global Charming, Beatrix, Azijnpisser, Pressure Pact, Mug, Giant Julie, Traumatizer, Geo.
Any other plans for 2024 you’d like to share? Do you have celebrations planned for album release date?
We’re on tour in the UK for the first time ever, with Personal Trainer and the Klittens, which we’re very excited about. They’re all good friends of ours, so it’s a lot of fun. For our album release, we’ve planned two release shows in the Netherlands: 8 March in Vera, Groningen, our hometown, and 9 March in Cinetol, Amsterdam. And the week after that we’re coming back to the UK! So please come to our shows to celebrate with us!
Real Farmer Tour Dates
March
14 – Green Door Store, Brighton
15 – Two Palms, London
16 – Cavern, Exeter
17 – The Library Pub, Oxford
18 – Exchange, Bristol
19 – JT Soar, Nottingham
21 – Royal Park, Leeds
And we’re still looking for gigs on the 20th and 22nd, so hit us up if you have or know of a place for us to play!
If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find?
A jar of mayonnaise, a bag of shrivel.
For more information on Real Farmer please check out their facebook and instagram.
