How can a debuting band have so many excellent songs under their belt, and also perform on stage with such routine as a chastened name from the Dutch pop past? Singer Rianne Walther recently explained it in a nice interview with the music blog 3for12. The Indische has been around for ten years, and Walther and her friend Casper Talsma (guitar) wrote dozens of songs, none of which were ever released. The Indische was discovered, even in the United Kingdom, but due to label hassles they never made it to that first real album.
Until this year. The self-titled debut was released in March and was packed with well-crafted songs, which had been tinkered with for years and even co-written by renowned foreign songwriters. Will it still happen for The Indische? You would very much hope so, because even live, in a sold-out Ekko in Utrecht, this band is rock solid.
About the author
Robert van Gijssel is music editor of de Volkskrant and writes about pop and the music industry. He also writes about gaming culture.
Walter’s voice is the eye-catcher, a small sensation even. She sings with a strikingly high and girlish, tight and pure voice, sometimes with an impeccable falsetto. In her singing and dancing melodies you hear soul and country, and unmissable hints at Stevie Nicks. But many songs are surprisingly fresh and even danceable, due to the use of thick keys and bass lines on the synth. Live, potential radio hits sound like Numbers and 16 beautifully balanced, also thanks to the fine second voices of the keyboardist, guitarist and drummer.
Walther doesn’t miss a note and sometimes threatens to sing almost too perfectly, but it is very personal Drive You is full of genuine emotion, and just the right amount of sentiment. You can see on her face that the text comes from her toes. This band deserves many more sold out venues and soon.
The If
Pop
★★★★☆
3/5, Ekko, Utrecht. This year, The Indische will perform at Best Kept Secret and Dauwpop.
