Last week, I shared my review of KATHMANU’s debut, self-titled EP, calling it “’60s psychedelia with modern pop rock all centred around delicate and beguiling vocals.” Now, let’s hear about the record from the songwriter Donna Marie and the band.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Baron van Flymen

GS: We’re chatting today about your debut, self-titled EP. It’s an EP that’s rich with stories, such as of finding invincibility after a difficult period. How important is it for you to tell stories with your music?

Donna Marie: For me personally, writing lyrics is a way to cope and process difficult feelings and emotions. Music really is a way to express myself, and to understand myself better. It’s really important to me, and the songs on the EP are kind of like a collection of diary entries, if that makes sense.

There’s a range of emotions on show as well, and they feel deeply genuine. How much of the EP was written from experience and how much is fictionalised?

I have to say, it really depends on the song and the vibe I’m feeling at the moment of writing it. Sometimes there’s a clear story or situation that I’m trying to convey, and other times it’s more abstract, more emotion-based and not literal. Like I said before, the EP is a collection of different stories, emotions and situations translated into music.

Obviously, I really dig your sound, having shared some of your music before. What inspires that sound for you?

Donna: What mainly determines the band’s sound for me, is that each member of our band has their own taste, their own ‘sound’ that they think is important, and that they want to emphasize in their way of playing their instrument. Each one of us brings different aspects of our sound to the light. It’s one big collaboration of music taste and passion.

Jan: There’s a deep inner urge to let my emotions out. With my guitar, I can do that in a way which I can’t pronounce in words.

Jack: I try to follow a certain feeling while playing my drums. I sort of sense the emotion that Jan and Donna are putting in their sound, and that takes me on a journey. I never really think about what I’m playing, but I let my feelings guide me.

Tom: During the rehearsals you feel something happening and I try to go from there. I listen to the parts of someone else’s sound that I feel the most for and try to elevate that even more with my own instrument.

You had quite an interesting experience recording the EP, can you tell us a little about the process?

We had an amazing experience, working together with our producer Frank Bond. We had a sound in mind and we knew what energy we wanted the songs to carry. From there Frank led the way with his immense knowledge of recording equipment and production techniques. Accompanied by one of his mates, the talented photographer Bob Doets, who hung out with us during the recording-weekend they managed to create a very nice and cozy atmosphere, where we felt encouraged to perform, yet safe enough to experiment.

And this weekend was its release party – how did it go?

It was a blast! Loads of people showed up and there was a very pleasant energy in the room. This might have been our most energetic gig yet. Everything came together very well; the light, the sound, and we were all together in the right musical flow. That felt so special!

You guys hail from near Amsterdam. I think it’s fair to say here in the UK the city is synonymous with tourism and historical culture. What’s the music scene like for those of us who haven’t experienced it?

Yes indeed, we come from a town called Volendam. We feel like there’s a very positive wind blowing through Volendam at the moment. There’s a wave of new bands that make their own music and each band has a completely different sound. We really like how all of these bands are figuring out their own sound and are doing their own thing, mostly independent, while at the same time all these bands are supporting each other so much. It feels like there’s a new scene forming, with names like Blanko, Lorem Ipsum, Villa Rosie, Niels Buijs, Jacob D. Edward, Barabas, to name a few.

What’s next for you?

There are two more singles coming along this summer and we are planning to record an album after that. We have been booked for our first festivals this summer and we hope to do a tour after the summer. We will keep posting so stay tuned.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you very much for the interview and hopefully we will see you again!