Library Card

(5th March) Fast-rising Rotterdam post-punks Library Card today release new single "For The World Is Hollow" - the crushing centrepiece of upcoming debut EP 'Nothing, Interesting', out 15th March via AT EASE. 

Arriving ahead of showcases at SXSW next week, Library Card are quickly building a reputation for their enthralling live performances following highly impressive outings at Dutch festivals including Eurosonic, Le Guess Who?, Hit The City, amongst others.

Expressive yet thoughtful, abrasive yet melodious, explosive yet introvert; Library Card are a band of contrasts. 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.

A treatise on the complex nature of grief, new single "For The World Is Hollow" arrives alongside a stunning black and white video directed by the band's bassist Kat Kalkman, with stylistic references to the video for Arctic Monkeys' "The View from the Afternoon".

Of the song's lyrical inspiration, vocalist Lot van Teylingen said: 

“Grief takes on multiple forms of existence. It lives in the creases of your pillowcase, in the shadows in the hallway, in the corners of your eye. It's not scary, nasty, or undesirable, but it requires space and attention, just like us when we need to process loss or change. Embrace it. Our melancholy is not linear. It is fluid and universal.”

On the creation of the video, director and bassist Kat Kalkman said:

"Our song 'For The World Is Hollow' remains my personal favourite from our upcoming record ‘Nothing, Interesting’. It resonates deeply with me because of its violent and cathartic instrumentals, dark lyrics, and the beautiful outro - arguably our most melancholic composition. Lot's beautiful lyrics exploring themes of death and grief really move me, having experienced the loss of both parents a couple of years ago. For me, creating art is a way to channel emotions. Sometimes, I prefer expressing them abstractly, while other times, I appreciate being more direct. The concept for the accompanying video emerged from a poignant dream of embracing my mother, where I woke up in tears. Stylistically inspired by the iconic Arctic Monkeys' 'The View from the Afternoon,' one of my favourite music videos, the visual narrative came together with Lotte Spijkers' assistance, who helped with refining the concept and handling cinematography."

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.”

More about: Library Card

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.

Gaining momentum in recent months, Library Card have become one of the most talked about new Dutch bands; named Dutch artists to watch in 2024 by newspaper De Volkskrant, radio station KINK and 3VOOR12 on 3FM - recently filming a full live session for 3VOOR12, viewable here.

With only four previously released singles to their name until now: the fidgeting assessment of fast-paced modern life "Sunflowers" and ferocious live staple "Mirror Factory", along with previously released EP tasters, the pummelling "Cognitive Dissonance" and the band's irate love letter to patriarchy "Well, Actually", Library Card's's music has seen early co-signs from international publications including The Line Of Best Fit, So Young Magazine, DIY Magazine, Beats Per Minute, God Is In The TV, Overblown Magazine, When The Horn Blows, Wax Music, as well as key Spotify editorial support with playlist additions to melomania, New Alternative & more.

Library Card will release their debut EP 'Nothing, Interesting' on 15th March via AT EASE. Library Card's new single "For The World Is Hollow" is out now.

Library Card are: Lot van Teylingen (they/them) - vocals, Mitchell Quitz (he/him) - guitar, Kat Kalkman (they/them) - bass, Emre Karayalçin (they/them) - drums