Introducing: Dark and gloomy collective Nachtwaker from Amersfoort, Netherlands!
Photos by @moessoe_
What began as a conceptual idea between two friends has evolved into a serious project with a unique sound over the last six years: Nachtwaker. With a passion for dreamy yet bombastic music and drawing inspiration from European medieval folklore for their lyrics, Nachtwaker delivers a distinctive blend of 80s new wave, 90s shoegaze, doom, and progressive and psychedelic rock. One thing is sure: it has to be as dark and gloomy as the night.
The concept of Nachtwaker emerged six years ago and gradually took shape in the following years. The passing of a close friend and fellow musician from a former band, two years ago, prompted the members of Nachtwaker to approach the project more seriously and further develop it. It became a part of the grieving process, and this emotional journey has imbued Nachtwaker’s music with even greater strength.
The “Nachtwaker”, which translates to “Guard Of The Night”, took care of the lights in cities during medieval times. Although they don’t longer exist, the band tends to do the same: bringing light in the darkness and keeping an eye out in the night.
On their debut EP »1374«, released in February 2024, Nachtwaker proves that the band refuses to be confined to a single genre. Effortlessly blending all their influences, they create a unique wall of sound. »1374« is brimming with passion for dreamy yet bombastic music and tales from European medieval folklore.
Drawing inspiration from medieval folklore across Europe, Nachtwaker weaves narratives that remain relevant today: love, death, deception, fear, and pain. The five tracks on »1374« tell stories that bridge the medieval past with contemporary themes, bringing mythical tales into the modern era.
It’s no wonder that Nachtwaker chose a title for their debut EP that aligns with these mythical narratives. 1374 marks the year of the outbreak of the St. John’s Dance, a peculiar phenomenon also known as the dancing mania or choreomania. Those afflicted would spontaneously dance until death. This paradoxical connection between dancing and death aligns perfectly with Nachtwaker’s essence: the songs carry a dark, mysterious undertone, yet there is light in the darkness, and dancing is more than welcome!
Nachtwaker is:
Jorrit de Boer – Composer, Lead Vocals, Guitar
Freya Weijkamp – Backing Vocals, Synthesizer
Melle de Vries – Lead Guitar
Rinus Veldhuijzen – Rhythm Guitar
Ruben Schmidt – Bass Guitar
Erik Bleijenberg – Drums
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well