After hearing their latest track ‘Coming of Age’ on Steve lamacq’s BBC 6 Music show (hosted by Huw Stephens), I was keen to get in touch with the Leeds based 6-piece and chat about their home city, venues, influences, BIG news for 2024 and slumming it on tour, read about all this and much more….

Van Houten is a 6 piece band from Leeds, when did the band form and please introduce each of the members and what they play

Van Houten formed in 2017, but has changed form and members a lot since then. Our current lineup formed about a year ago. We are Louis, Lachlan, Ewan, Jake R, Jake W and Henry

Are there any fascinating facts that we need to know about? (Blue Peter badges, world record holders. Party tricks)

Jake R once had trials for Cambridge United. He didn’t make it to the team but he’s got a right left boot on him. Other than that we’re all pretty ordinary.

You’re from Leeds, a vibrant melting pot of culture and style, tell me about the music scene there

The Leeds scene is really special, there’s so many venues big and small in such close proximity. It’s a great city to cut your teeth and meet likeminded musicians. There’s loads of great acts coming out at the moment. Niall Summerton, Lots of Hands, Shaene, Honesty… the list is endless

Any music venues that have been really supportive for you and other bands?

Brudenell, Brudenell, Brudenell

You play a blend of alternative/shoegaze/dream-pop music, who would you say have influenced you musically?

We share a wide range of interests accords the band, Jake W is really into his electronic and ambient music, Jake W likes his stuff dirty and scrappy, Louis enjoys his Nick Drake and Elliot Smith we all really like bands like Duster, My Bloody Valentine, Diiv, Deerhunter and that kind of thing but it’s always changing.

Your latest track ‘Coming of Age’ was released in November 23 and has received amazing support from some key tastemakers, how does it feel to hear your music being played on major radio stations?

It’s cool but it’s not everything. We’re just happy to be releasing music again

Is ‘Coming of Age’ about the coming of age? please summarise the theme of the track for me and where the idea came from

It’s about realising that you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. It’s about vanquishing fear and anxiety, overall it comes from an optimistic and uplifting place.

You teased us with some interesting news in 2024, can you lift the lid on this yet or is it still under wraps? Give us a clue at least!

I’ll just say that ‘Coming Of Age’ is just the first part of something really big!

You are touring in 2024, are there any places that you are yet to play? Which dates/venues are you most excited about?

We’ve never been to Birmingham before so we’re excited to see what that’s like, Glasgow is always fun, always a great atmosphere and we love Brighton too. It’s always a party!

Will it be Premier Inn’s and Travelodge’s up and down the country or will you be slumming it in the tour bus along with your equipment?

Hahah tour bus?! It’s a splitter van and friend’s floors at the best of times

What 3 items can you not live without whilst on the road?

A comprehensive map of local Greggs, Wetherspoon’s and McDonald’s

I see that you’re supporting The Orielles in May, do you have any other support slots arranged?

Not as of yet but it would be great to go out on tour with a bigger band again!

Any festivals booked for 2024 yet?

We’re at Wanderlust festival in Southampton and we’re playing Ritual Union in Bristol as it stands

Christmas is but a distant memory, what was the BEST gift you received and who gifted it to you?

My mum got me and Oodie which has proved very useful during the cold weather

Lastly, it’s a question that EVERYONE wants to know the answer to, what is your favourite cheese?

Whatever cheese strings are made of…..

(we did actually want to know what went into ‘cheese strings’, here’s what the interweb had to offer….

Cheestrings Original is made of unripened cheese, which is a medium fat hard cheese. It also contains acidity regulators (citric acid, lactic acid), paprika, and vitamins B6, B12, and D. Cheestrings Original is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is also rich in calcium for healthy bones.

We’d like to thank Van Houten for sparing their time to chat to us and we wish them every success with their new track ‘Coming of Age’ and for their forthcoming UK tour that kicks off at the end of March.

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