Fast-rising Dutch collective Personal Trainer announce their new album, Still Willing which comes out 2nd August via Bella Union.
Along with the announcement, they’ve shared a video for their exuberant new single “Round”.
Frontman Willem Smit comments: “Round was one of the last songs to make it onto the album. I felt it needed something I’d call ‘een lekker nummertje’ in Dutch, meaning ‘a banger’ or ‘a tasty little ditty’. I tend to want one of those on records I make.”
Video director Kilian Kayser adds: “The idea of making a video with an orange as Willem seemed fun. We organized a last-minute show with an orange on lead vocals at Helikopter in Amsterdam and spent a day shooting. Inspired by Yo La Tengo’s ‘Tom Courtenay’ video, I thought ending with a live show would be a fun, feel-good idea.”
If you enjoy pop music that keeps you on your toes, Amsterdam’s Personal Trainer offers just that on their second album. Essentially Willem Smit’s project, with co-producer Casper van der Lans, Personal Trainer blends DIY indie-pop exuberance with experimentation. Now signed to Bella Union, Willem returns re-energized with Still Willing, an album of contrasts, spry melodies, effusive arrangements, playful lyrics, and self-reflection.
Willem says the record is fueled by extremes: energetic and loud, quiet and thoughtful, always full of surprises. “When I listen to the records I make, I hope that every time something happens, you’re like, ‘Wow.’”
Recorded at home and budget-friendly locations, the album features contributions from Lena Hessels, The Klittens, drummer Kick Kluiving, bassist Ruben van Weegberg, percussionist Kilian Kayser, and discreet sounds from Abel Tuinstra and Otto de Jong.
Personal Trainer originated from impromptu live shows with ever-shifting local band members. Now, a more solid lineup still embraces the live show’s chaotic energy. Their debut, Big Love Blanket, received acclaim and led to support slots and festival appearances. Still Willing showcases Willem’s home-recording and studio methods, rich with pop instincts and the promise of more to come.
Personal Trainer will also tour extensively in 2024, including UK instore appearances around the album’s release.
- (NL) – 05.07 – Wilde Weide – Kraggenburg
- (NL) – 06.07 – Madness festival – Ameland
- (FE) – 18.07 – G! FESTIVAL, Faroe Islands
- (UK) – 25.07 – Unstead Festival, Tunbridge Wells
- (UK) – 27.07 – Deer Shed Festival
- (UK) – 28.07 – Truck Festival
- (UK) – 01.08 – The Shacklewell Arms (End of the Road Festival take over)
- (UK) – 02.08 – Rough Trade East London [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 03.08 – Pie & Vinyl (lunch) // Resident (evening) Portsmouth + Brighton [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 04.08 – Drift – Totnes [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 05.08 – Rough Trade Bristol [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 06.08 – Rough Trade Liverpool [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 07.08 – Jumbo (lunch) Rough Trade Nottingham (evening) Leeds + Nottingham [INSTORE]
- (UK) – 08.08 – Banquet – London [INSTORE]
- (NL) – 10.08 – Nirwana Tuinfeesten – Lierop
- (UK) – 16.08 – Green Man Festival
- (NL) – 17.08 – Lowlands, Netherlands
- (UK) – 25.08 – Victorious Festival – Portsmouth
- (NL) – 14.09 – Popmonument – Bergen Op Zoom
- (BE) – 28.09 – Thorn in my side, Antwerpen
- (NL) – 05.10 – Come as you are, Eindhoven
- (CH) – 29.10 – Zurich – Dynamo Werk21
- (IT) – 31.10 – Arci Bellezza – Milan
- (IT) – 01.11 – Covo – Bologna
- (FR) – 04.11 – Jokers Pub – Anger
- (FR) – 05.11 – La Fosse – Laval
- (FR) – 06.11 – Point Éphémère – Paris
- (IS) – 08.11 – Iceland airwaves – Reykjavik
- (DE) – 12.11 – Schorndorf – Manufaktur
- (AT) – 14.11 – Chelsea – Wenen
- (PL) – 15.11 – Bardzo Bardzo – Warsaw
- (DE) – 16.11 – Shokoladen – Berlin
- (DK) – 19.11 – Loppen – Copenhagen
- (NL) – 22.11 – VERA – Groningen
- (NL) – 27.11 – Doornroosje – Nijmegen
- (NL) – 28.11 – Hedon – Zwolle
- (NL) – 30.11 – Paradiso Grote Zaal – Amsterdam
- (NL) – 01.12 – Maassilo – Rotterdam
- (NL) – 05.12 – 013 NEXT – TIlburg