The Notwist

The Notwist
The Notwist performing in 2023 in Doornroosje in Nijmegen, the Netherlands
The Notwist performing in 2023 in Doornroosje in Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Background information
OriginWeilheim in Oberbayern, Germany
GenresIndie rock, electronica, plinkerpop, post-rock, post-hardcore (early)
Years active1989–present
LabelsMorr Music, Sub Pop
MembersMarkus Acher
Micha Acher
Andi Haberl
Past members
Websitewww.notwist.com
Martin "Mecki" Messerschmid (1994)

The Notwist /ˈnoʊ.twɪst/ are a German indie rock band. 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

Brothers Markus and Micha Acher and Martin "Mecki" Messerschmid formed the group in 1989 in Weilheim in Oberbayern, near Munich, from an earlier, more indie-folk version of the Notwist and the punk band Greatful Punishment. 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. Martin Gretschmann then joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. In 1998, Cynthia Dall contributed vocals for a remix of 12's opening track, "Torture Day". The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners, with its heartfelt sentiment and more pop-oriented sound.

Messerschmid 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. 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. In late 2012 they began playing songs from a new album on tour. The album, Close to the Glass, was released on February 24, 2014 under Sub Pop Records.

In 2014, Martin Gretschmann left the group.

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

Musical style and influences

The Notwist's music has at different times been described as indie rock and post-rock. The band has cited such bands as Stereolab, My Bloody Valentine, the Pastels, Broadcast, and Sonic Youth as consistent influences on their music.

Collaborations and side projects

The group has been remixed by Four Tet, Caribou, Grizzly Bear, Console, Loopspool, Panda Bear and others. Markus also collaborated with Anticon and rapper/producer Alias on the song "Unseen Sights". In 1991, the Achers founded Village of Savoonga, a more experimental ensemble that incorporates noise, post rock and neoclassical elements, in Weilheim, Germany. The band also included members of Tied & Tickled Trio, Fred Is Dead and others, and released three albums: 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 also worked with the band Lali Puna until his departure in 2017, while Mecki Messerschmid now plays drums for the reformed Schweisser. Micha Acher composes and programs for Ms. John Soda.

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Live Album

Singles and EPs

References

  1. ↑ John Bush. "The Notwist | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  2. ↑ John Bush. "12 - The Notwist | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  3. ↑ James Mason. "The Notwist - The Notwist | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  4. ↑ Ioan Kaes (interviewer), Martin Gretschmann (2008-05-07). The devil, you + Martin (YouTube video) (Video interview). Cutting Edge. Event occurs at 1:20 and 2:40 – band member Martin Gretschmann pronounces the band's name. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  5. 1 2 "The Notwist, page 1 - Music - Cleveland Scene - Cleveland Scene". 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-06-27. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 325/6. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  7. ↑ Thiessen, Brock."The Demonic Minds of the Notwist"[link removed], Exclaim!, July 2008.
  8. ↑ Howe, Brian. "The Notwist: Sturm album review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "MAIFELD DERBY MANNHEIM: FESTIVAL-TICKETS ZU GEWINNEN". Musikexpress. December 11, 2012.
  10. ↑ "The Notwist Announce New Album Close to the Glass, Share Title Track". Pitchfork Media. November 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Indie-Rockband The Notwist - "Wir machen keine Kompromisse"". Deutschlandfunk (in German). Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  12. ↑ Coupé, Pieter. "The Notwist in de Vooruit: Sie schaffen das". De Morgen (in Belgian Dutch). Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  13. ↑ "23 albums up for European Independent Album of the Year Award". IMPALA. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  14. ↑ Begrand, Adrian (August 4, 2003). "The Notwist: The Notwist / Nook". PopMatters. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  15. ↑ Solis, Jose (March 13, 2014). "From One Wrong Place to the Next: An Interview with The Notwist". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2026. And then we started to listen to '90s independent music a lot. Stereolab, My Bloody Valentine, the Pastels, Broadcast, Sonic Youth … always huge influences on everything we do.
  16. ↑ swittom (2017-09-08). "Valerie from Lali Puna talks about "Two Windows", our LP of The Week". super world indie tunes. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  17. ↑ "Sturm, by The Notwist". Thenotwist.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.