Smells Like Quarantine Spirit: The Klittens

For this next edition of ‘Smells Like Quarantine Spirit’, I want to introduce you to: The Klittens! This five-piece band from Amsterdam are foul-mouthed but good-natured. They are untrained but never unbothered. A band for those who have a knack for happy songs and sad sentiments. Whether you're a cat person or not: you will definitely love The Klittens.

Hey girls! Where are you currently all spending your lockdown?

Laurie: At home in Amsterdam, where I now find myself cleaning the house three times a week.

Winnie: I'm in between Amsterdam and Oegstgeest. Luckily I can work at the Concerto cafe again. So come support your locals - but also stay at home. Order online!

Michelle: I'm in Nijmegen where me and Josse are spending our time in our own plant paradise.

Yaël & Katja: We're both in The Hague.

Are you still able to make music at home?

Laurie: Luckily I have an electronic drum kit at home, so I can still practice a little bit. You would think I would come out of this quarantine being the best drummer ever, but I must admit that I have only touched my drum kit once since being in lockdown. I prefer to play with others, that's where I get more energy from as well.

I also got a bass player from Winnie here at home, so I'm sort of low-key writing songs on that and recording some stuff in GarageBand. Who knows what kind of hit will come out of it!

Winnie: I usually also record music with GarageBand, when I'm home alone in my little studio. I have a very simple set up: a cheap interface, a microphone I got for 5 euros at a flea market and my guitar. I am, however, currently spending time with my boyfriend in the old house of his grandma. There's a shed in the garden where he used to rehearse with his own band, KIEFF. So we have turned that space into a little studio. I must admit though that I still prefer to write songs in my own bedroom, instead of using this new space.

The Klittens at home: Winnie, Laurie, Katja, Michelle & Yaël

How is that for the others in the band? Are you at all able to make music at home?

Michelle: I have never written songs before at home, but I am trying it a bit more now. Usually I just spend my time stealing tricks from this bass teacher I found on YouTube.

Katja: Luckily I can still make music at home, but I don't have a lot of space at the moment. My set up is my bed and my tiny tiny desk. But that's alright. I usually start writing songs by humming melodies in bed.

Yaël: Well I count myself very lucky, because I have been asked to watch the house of my friends' parents. They have a piano, a drum kit and a small organ. And the house itself is also a bit spooky: so it's a perfect location!

Do you find it more difficult to make music right now or easier?

Laurie: I do feel like I have more time to just mess around on my guitar, without it necessarily having to turn into something. Which I have enjoyed a lot, just playing the same guitar riff over and over again. I do feel that I really need the rest of the band for feedback or suggestions, to work on the development of a song. So I do find myself being stuck after a while. Luckily we already have some great drafts to work on when we can finally rehearse again.

Katja: I also feel more free to make music now, without feeling the pressure of it having to turn into something. Usually I feel some sort of time pressure, because I normally don't have a lot of time to work on songs. So right now it's more laid back and fun.

Michelle: I find it much more difficult. I'm not used to making music by myself, I really need the rest of the band.

Winnie: Because I'm studying at home and I'm also still working, I'm constantly in a stressful environment. So I find it really difficult to focus and get into a creative flow.

Yaël: I also find it more difficult. I'm grateful to have more space and time, but I'm not really taking advantage of it. I am rapping a lot though, with the beats from my bontempi. But those tracks will never be released.

The Klittens & KIEFF

Where do you currently get your inspiration from?

Laurie: I was hoping to be more creative during this period, but I don't get a lot of energy or inspiration from sitting at home. I find it really tedious. I do sometimes just listen to a really cool song and try to get inspired to write something similar, by analysing what I find so great about that song. But that rarely happens, I must admit.

Winnie: I'm not entirely sure where my inspiration comes from, but similar to Laurie, I sometimes just get the urge to write a very specific song. So what I will do is, listen to a lot of songs from that specific genre and try to create something myself. Sometimes I will only be able to create a guitar riff and sometimes I end up writing an entire song. It's often one or the other.

Michelle: I get inspiration from listening to my Discover Weekly on Spotify or from watching movies. I also get a lot of inspiration from being in self isolation and from my dreams.

Katja: For me it's from the usual things that inspire me: listening to a lot of music, or day dreaming about performing with the band.

Yaël: Sims 4.

How can fans and listeners best support you right now?

Band: By streaming or buying our music. And our merch! We are selling a bunch of our songs on Bandcamp.

We can also recommend listening to our singles online, so you can sing and dance along when we are able to play shows again. You can start practicing with 'Manic Dixi Dream Girl' and 'Bleeding Gums', because there is new music coming soon.

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Follow The Klittens:

@theklittens

https://theklittens.bandcamp.com