Bowl announces second part of The Rude Interruption Of Fear

On 25 April Utrecht-based postpunk band Bowl will release the second part of their concept album The Rude Interruption of Fear. The album was recorded in their home studio and was produced and mixed by Bowl themselves. The new single The Weight is out now.

Bowl continues to build on their signature post-punk sound, enriched with influences from new-wave and art-rock. The Rude Interruption of Fear is a raw, personal and artistic experiment inspired by singer Vos Ploeg's experiences with anxiety and compulsive disorder. Side A was released in August and offered an intense and emotionally insight into the chaos of compulsive thoughts and uncertainty. The second part, initially intended as a plea for recovery, took on a different perspective due to a setback during the writing process. Here, Ploeg reflects on how he now deals with his symptoms, with a sound that’s more melodic and hopeful, but continues to acknowledge the heaviness of the themes. The album sounds like playing an old cassette on a broken walkman: raw, authentic and undeniably real. The urgency and personal approach of the album make it an impressive document about human struggle and resilience.

Vos Ploeg says about the album: “Due to multiple anxiety and panic complaints, which turned out to be linked to a compulsive disorder, 2020 was a traumatic year for me. Where the first songs on the record take you right through the eye of the storm, the second half puts the tumultuous year in perspective and makes it clear that a relapse can be in an unexpected corner. The Rude Interruption of Fear is a very personal story, but above all a study of man in crisis.”

The new single The Weight is a personal and poignant song in which Ploeg explores his relationship with his mental issues. The song describes the feeling of constantly carrying around a ‘weight’ you don't want to have, but which seems inseparable from your existence. With its signature blend of raw emotion and gritty post-punk sound, the song is a powerful example of Bowl's ability to turn personal struggles into music that is both confrontational and compelling. “Sometimes a disorder like this just feels like a block on your leg. Something that takes you everywhere when you don't really want it there. In the song, I describe my relationship with my problems. So for me, the lyrics feel like someone arguing with a partner who is actually very bad for them.” Watch a live session of The Weight at the bottom.

With performances at festivals such as Grauzone, Grasnapolsky, Valkhof, Wildeburg and Loose Ends, Bowl has built a solid live reputation last year. Its sound, a mix of gritty garage rock and disorienting post-punk, combined with urgent and committed lyrics, made a strong impression on the Dutch music scene.Live:

7 February - EKKO, Utrecht (SuperBowl)

22 May - Doka, Amsterdam

23 May - ACU, Utrecht

24 May - Altstadt, Eindhoven

31 May - Zwarte Ruiter, The Hague

6 June - Simplon UP, Groningen