Forget neat little boxes, Magnetic Spacemen are a whole new thread in the Dutch music scene. Their sound is a potent brew of raw energy that defies easy categorization. To understand their music is to delve into the stories of the four individuals who make up this quartet.

Magnetic Spacemen started out jamming as a punk trio back in 2014, not exactly planning on conquering the musical scene. But things shifted in 2017 when Michiel Kemper and Redmer Kamsma joined the crew.

Hailing from the Netherlands, Magnetic Spacemen draw their members from various corners of the country. From the northern reaches of Leeuwarden to the port of Rotterdam in the south-west, their geographical dispersion poses logistical challenges but enriches their collective identity. Despite the distances that separate them, the band converges in Zwolle, where they rehearse and cultivate their distinctive sound, earning them the moniker of “a band from Zwolle.”

Each member brings their own musical influences: Sam honed his skills in bands like Harko and Pronk, his vocals imbued with the raw power of the punk scene. Michiel, on the other hand, explored the depths of grunge and alternative rock with Prestcold Molly and Melonhead, bringing a darker, more introspective edge to the band’s sound. Redmer’s journey took him through the experimental soundscapes of JSSY, while Max’s musical history with Hard Time Killing injected a dose of heavy-hitting rhythm and atmosphere.

The Creative Maelstrom Behind “Polished Minds”

Spontaneity and collaboration form the bedrock of Magnetic Spacemen’s songwriting process. Ideas erupt from individual jams, morphing and evolving through group interaction. Whether it’s Sam crafting lyrics in solitude or the band riffing in a collective frenzy, their creative energy permeates every note.

This collaborative spirit reached a fever pitch with the release of “Polished Minds” in November 2023. The album was well received by the Dutch music press, but “Polished Minds” wasn’t just about the music; it was the prelude to another creation – a live music video.

The Live Video and the Power of Visual Storytelling

Filmed in a single take, the video ‘Never Change A Winning Team’ captures the essence of the Magnetic Spacemen live experience. The visionary lens of director Alek Riquelme adds another layer to the experience, transporting viewers into a swirling kaleidoscope of light and movement, perfectly complementing the sonic exploration unfolding on screen.

Well, we thought it would be cool if we’d have some live footage of the more ‘new wave’ influenced songs of our new album. Most of the times our songs are pretty straight up rock and roll music if you ask me. The last time we did a session at Katzwijm Studios we recorded and filmed a one-shot video of a country song named ”Sun Goes Down’, which worked out very good !! So for this time again we wanted to capture the more unorthodox settings of the band. Changing instruments and other things we don’t do on stage a lot actually. And that’s why we wanted to make a neat live video with one-shot Alek Riquelme (who added some cool visuals) and record-man Daan Duurland! But! We’re planning on do this type of songs slightly more at our upcoming live shows! 

Looking back on 2023, Magnetic Spacemen can’t help but smile on their highlights:

Releasing our third record ‘Polished Minds’ on November 2nd! The music press in Holland like OOR and 3voor12 where very positive about it, so that was great! We also did a lot of cool shows along the way through the country, selling out a few shows as well, crazy! We also began to start touring in France more often. We discovered that La France is a good place to play some freaked out shows and have wild parties !!

The band speaks about their local scene and band recommendations: In Zwolle, a vibrant music scene thrives with bands like Money and The Man, Cloudsurfers, Paceshifters, and JesperJesper leading the charge. Organizations such as ‘Ondergrondse’ ‘Eureka’ and ‘These Go To Eleven’ in Hedon Zwolle serve as epicenters for underground and alternative rock enthusiasts. While Zwolle boasts its own unique flavor, the Netherlands as a whole brims with diverse musical landscapes. Cities like Groningen, Rotterdam and Haarlem are hotbeds of creativity, each nurturing their own distinct scenes. For those eager to explore further bands outside the locals check fellow friend bands like Smudged, The Grand East, Iguana Death Cult, Real Farmer, Super Soakers, The Homesick or Asbest Boys.

As 2024 unfolds, there’s no sign of Magnetic Spacemen slowing down.when asked if they would like to add anything, seems that UK could be in the map.

Yes! A few years ago we did two tours through the UK with a band called Vant. Touring through the UK was very neat and we would really love to come back soon! So if someone who reads this knows some nice places to tear apart or bands to tour with, keep us posted England! Oh and go to Spotify to check out our new album or buy it on our Bandcamp page!

Photo credits: Lucille le Béchenn @filmbylucile