Snel oprukkende Rotterdamse postpunk. Expressief en uitgedacht, schurend en melodieus, explosief en introvert. Library Card is zelfbewust en gender onafhankelijk. Goede raad wordt niet op prijs gesteld en als ze oog in oog komen te staan met mansplaining of heterocentrisme dan kunnen die gasten van Library Card heel goed hun eigen boontjes doppen. Waar moet je aan denken: Dry Cleaning, Protomartyr, Life Without Buildings en Anne Clark bijvoorbeeld.
Expressive yet thoughtful, abrasive yet melodious, explosive yet introvert: Rotterdam’s Library Card are a band of contrasts. Today, the 4-piece announce their highly anticipated debut EP 'Nothing, Interesting' and release its second single, the irate "Well, Actually" - the band's own "love letter to patriarchy".
Recently announced to perform at this year's editions of SXSW, Eurosonic, Best Kept Secret and Motel Mozaïque, Library Card are quickly building a reputation for their enthralling live performances following highly impressive outings at Dutch festivals Le Guess Who?, Hit The City, amongst others.
New single "Well, Actually" has already become a memorable highlight from their live show, with vocalist Lot van Teylingen's vehement cries recounting the all-too-common post-show critique from the male gaze, all gradually intensifying as the song builds to a compelling crescendo of anger.
Speaking on the release of new single "Well, Actually", the band said:
“This is our love letter to the patriarchy. One must view ‘Well, Actually’ as a friendly yet firm reminder of what unsolicited advice not to give to a band that’s fresh off the stage, often fuelled by mansplaining or perpetuated by heteronormative norms. We are perfectly capable of asking for it ourselves when in need.“
The band's newly announced debut EP 'Nothing, Interesting' restlessly fluctuates from angular post-punk to beguiling post-rock and fast-paced garage, produced and mixed by Daan Duurland (Personal Trainer) and recorded at Katzwijm Studio, Voorhout in the Netherlands. Even in a city that’s known for its wayward guitar music, Library Card have swiftly become a standout.
Spearheaded by Lot van Teylingen, whose spoken word alternates between sardonic and sincere in a matter of seconds, Library Card leave room for their respective band members to showcase themselves equally, from Emre Karayalçin’s unorthodox eye-catching rhythms to Kat Kalkman’s driving bass lines and Mitchell Quitz’s seemingly shape-shifting guitar performances.
Of the band's debut EP, Lot van Teylingen said: “'Nothing, Interesting' explores themes of love and loss - often intertwined with a growing fear of not being able to keep up with the world as we know it. However, in this process it’s essential to embrace the absurdity of existence, and not take it too seriously.”
Library Card formed in the summer of 2021, drawing inspiration from Detroit post-punks Protomartyr, cult Glaswegian art-rockers Life Without Buildings and the poetry of Anne Clark - to name but three of their eclectic influences - it's not too far-fetched to suggest that the uncertain period of time in which they formed has intrinsically latched itself to the band’s urgent, propulsive songwriting.
A tight-knit unit of four entirely different characters, to call each of Library Card's band members a cog in a machine would do a disservice to Library Card's humane outlook on what being in a band means, but it’s simply impossible to elevate one element of their spellbinding songs above another.
The band's live show has seen their stocks rise quicker than most. Within months of their debut live performance, the band were invited to support Sports Team in a 2000 capacity hall in Utrecht. Since then, Library Card have broadened their horizons playing shows across Europe in Germany, France, Austria and the Czech Republic, played the closing set at Rotterdam’s infamous showcase festival Left of the Dial and supporting other notable acts including Osees, Just Mustard and Kills Birds, as well as playing numerous tastemaker festival slots alongside Jockstrap, DEADLETTER, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Beths and cumgirl8 to name but a few.
