The Notwist Explained

The Notwist
Landscape:Yes
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Weilheim in Oberbayern, Germany
Genre:Indie rock, electronica,[1] plinkerpop, post-rock,[2] post-hardcore (early)[3]
Years Active:1989–present
Label:Morr Music, Sub Pop
Associated Acts:13 & God
Current Members:Markus Acher
Micha Acher
Andi Haberl
Past Members:

The Notwist [4] are a German indie rock band.[5] Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations, despite maintaining a relatively stable line-up. While their early records moved through heavy metal into dark indie rock, their recent efforts for which they have received the most attention have been strongly influenced by the electronica scene, along with other groups on the record label Morr Music.

History

The Acher brothers and Messerschmid formed the group in 1989,[6] in Weilheim in Oberbayern, near Munich. In 1990, they recorded their self-titled debut, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12, contains their first flirtation with electronics.[6] Martin Gretschmann then joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. In 1998, Cynthia Dall did the vocals for a remix of "Torture Day" by The Notwist. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners, with its heartfelt sentiment and more pop-oriented sound.

Messerschmidt left the group in 2007, and was replaced by Andi Haberl. The band's sixth album, The Devil, You + Me, was released in Europe in May 2008.[7] On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records.

In 2009, the Notwist recorded Storm, the soundtrack to the film of the same name by director Hans-Christian Schmid.[8] In late 2012 they began playing songs from a new album on tour.[9] The album, Close to the Glass, was released on February 24, 2014 under Sub Pop Records.[10]

In 2014, Martin Gretschmann left the group.[11] [12]

In January 2015, Close to the Glass was nominated for IMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year Award.[13]

Collaborations and side projects

The group has been remixed by Four Tet, Caribou, Grizzly Bear, Console, Loopspool, Panda Bear and others. Singer Markus Acher also collaborated with Anticon and rapper/producer Alias on the song, "Unseen Sights". In 1991, Markus Acher founded Village of Savoonga,[6] a more experimental ensemble that incorporates noise, post rock and even neoclassical elements in Weilheim, Germany. The band, that included elements of Tied & Tickled Trio, Fred Is Dead and others, released Village Of Savoonga (1992), Philipp Schatz (1996) and Score (1997).

The Notwist formed a group with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Markus Acher, in addition to his work with The Notwist and 13 & God, also worked with the band Lali Puna until his departure in 2017,[14] while Mecki Messerschmidt now also plays drums for the reformed Schweisser. Micha Acher composes and programs for Ms. John Soda.

Members

Current

Former

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Album

Singles and EPs

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Bush . The Notwist | Biography . AllMusic . 2014-08-11.
  2. Web site: John Bush . 12 - The Notwist | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . AllMusic . 2014-08-11.
  3. Web site: James Mason . The Notwist - The Notwist | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . AllMusic . 2014-08-11.
  4. Ioan Kaes (interviewer), Martin Gretschmann. 2008-05-07. The devil, you + Martin. YouTube video . Video interview. Cutting Edge. 2014-03-19. 1:20 and 2:40 – band member Martin Gretschmann pronounces the band's name.
  5. Web site: The Notwist, page 1 - Music - Cleveland Scene - Cleveland Scene. 27 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080627121745/http://www.clevescene.com/2008-06-18/music/the-notwist/. 20 July 2021. 2008-06-27.
  6. Book: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock. Colin Larkin. Virgin Books. 1999. First. 0-7535-0257-7. 325/6.
  7. Thiessen, Brock."The Demonic Minds of the Notwist", Exclaim!, July 2008.
  8. Web site: Howe. Brian. The Notwist: Sturm album review. Pitchfork. 8 March 2018.
  9. Web site: MAIFELD DERBY MANNHEIM: FESTIVAL-TICKETS ZU GEWINNEN . Musikexpress . December 11, 2012.
  10. Web site: The Notwist Announce New Album Close to the Glass, Share Title Track . November 19, 2013 . Pitchfork Media.
  11. News: Indie-Rockband The Notwist - "Wir machen keine Kompromisse". Deutschlandfunk. 2018-01-05. de-DE.
  12. News: The Notwist in de Vooruit: Sie schaffen das. Coupé. Pieter. De Morgen. 2018-01-05. nl-BE.
  13. Web site: 23 albums up for European Independent Album of the Year Award. IMPALA. 29 January 2015. 26 February 2015. 26 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150226140536/http://www.impalamusic.org/node/346. dead.
  14. Web site: Valerie from Lali Puna talks about "Two Windows", our LP of The Week.. swittom. 2017-09-08. super world indie tunes. en. 2019-07-11.
  15. Web site: Sturm, by The Notwist. Thenotwist.bandcamp.com. 20 July 2021.