Interview: The Narrow

MusicReview had the privilege of catching up with Hanu De Jong, Emile De Jong and Jow Feldtmann from The Narrow. Here is what South Africa’s favourite sons had to say to us.

You Don’t Get To Quit is undoubtedly a “softer” album than your previous efforts. What motivated The Narrow to go in this direction?

Hanu: We wanted to write songs that can be played just as well – and sound just as powerful – on an acoustic guitar as it would plugged in with overdrive and effects.

Jow: We write in the direction we feel creative in.

Emile: We really just wrote what we felt like. There is no substitute for a good song.

Despite the change in direction, The Narrow’s fans are still raving about the new album. Did you ever fear that the change in direction would isolate your audience?

Hanu: Nah! We don’t really feel it was a massive change. I’m sure if you stick all 3 albums and 2 EPs on shuffle on your iPod, you won’t know which song belongs to which album.

Jow: We always hope for more fans rather than isolating audiences.

Emile: We want to give our listeners and friends something fresh every time. The Narrow… with a new twist.

Has the band decided on the next single off of the album? Any possibility of a music video?

Hanu: Almost done with the edit for ‘Hunt the Ghosts’. We have 9 very strong songs on that album, so it’s not easy to decide which song to go with next. Maybe do a poll online or something?

Emile: Getting the music vid out is our top priority.

Having Hanu (lead singer) live in a different country is bound to have an impact on the band. How do you actually maintain contact? Do you email each other song ideas or recordings?

Hanu: We Skype daily and ideas are recorded and slapped on a server for all to download. All jams are recorded and sent to me. I then chop and change the progression and add some keys or whatever and do some vocals and upload it to the server. Long winded…. but it works for us.

Jow: We email and Skype.

Emile: The web is the only way these days. I think we communicate more now then when we where al in one country. Also great for international efforts.

‘Lonely-Lonely’ is perhaps The Narrow’s biggest hit to date. Do you ever get sick of playing that song?

Hanu: Only in the jam room. It’s always cool to play it on stage where people appreciate it.

Jow: Yes…I mean no, never (smiles).

Emile: It’s true what they say; the song can be how old, but when you play it live, it feels current every time.

A couple of years ago, The Narrow were dealing with a major label, but things went sour. Did this incident dent the band’s confidence at all?

Hanu: It did nothing to our confidence. But it did give us a major reality smack! Getting a ‘deal’ is like taking a loan from the bank…. but with baggage. This bank gets to decide how you will be paying back that loan, as well as everything else in your life, until the loan is paid in full with loads of interest!

Jow: Not our confidence. We were disappointed, yes, but we are motivated in another way and not for fame.

Emile: We did go through a big learning school. A lot of illusions exposed. We are more focused now.

Would you ever be open to signing another major label contract again or has the previous experience disillusioned you?

Hanu: I don’t think so. Any band that’s touring full time with great videos and online presence can make a good living and get booked for awesome shows. Signing a major deal means your talent belongs to someone else now. So if we were to sell to them…. it’ll be on our terms or nothing.

Jow: It depends on the situation.

(Emile is a bit more receptive of the idea)

Emile: Absolutely. But with our heads on straight this time.

Over the years, you’ve seen many local bands come and go. Is there any band that you miss seeing play live?

Hanu: Too many! Nine, Plum, Lithium, 5 Star Society, Marlow, Neshamah…..

Emile: Lithium!

What is the one gig that still sticks in your mind and why?

Hanu: We’ve played with everyone from Violent Femmes to Korn, Marilyn Manson and The Pixies – but I think, for me, the best show was our first show at Roxy’s in Melville in 2002. Mind blowing experience!

Jow: Oppikoppi’s 10 year birthday. We had fans packed the whole standing area.

Emile: Travellers’ launch. What an atmosphere!

When can your South African fans expect a new tour?

Hanu: We will be doing short stints throughout this year. For now, we’ve got booked end of May and also August.
All live pictures are copyrighted to Gray Read of Gray Stills.

- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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