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.
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.
For the lyrics of their songs, Nachtwaker draws much inspiration from ancient tales and medieval folklore, and their band name reflects this connection. The Nachtwaker, or “Night Watcher,” was the one who extinguished the lanterns in the city at night and reignited them in the morning, all while keeping an eye on the town in the darkness. This encapsulates precisely what Nachtwaker does: they create dark music but also strive to bring light into the darkness, offering solace and acting as an emotional beacon during somber times.
In their live performances, Nachtwaker takes the stage with a 7-piece band to fully convey the layers of their music, creating a wall of sound that is as grandiose as possible and captivating the audience to the maximum.
The members of Nachtwaker are no strangers to the Dutch music scene. They have previously played in bands such as TWINS, Nowhere Near, Rogue Minor, and Karmic Seeds. They have performed at notable venues like TivoliVredenburg and won the Utrecht Popprijs 2018 while also being semi-finalists in the Grote Prijs van Nederland. With Nachtwaker, they are ready for the next big step, adding a new chapter to their musical careers.
In the coming period, Nachtwaker aims to focus on releasing their first three singles, followed by their debut EP, titled “1374.” Their wishlist includes touring various music venues and festivals, with medium-sized stages across the country as their main objective. The groundwork for a second EP has already been laid, and with this material in hand, Nachtwaker plans to release a follow-up EP in 2024.
Nachtwaker is:
Jorrit de Boer – Lead Songwriter, Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keys
Menno Ansems – Producer, Sound Engineer & Drums
Freya Weijkamp – (Backing) Vocals and Illustrator/Graphic Designer