Daniel Nagelkerke (Promoter) (NL)

Following Abby Lavin from Shangai, here is the second promoter interviewed on the blog. Daniel is working for one of the main popvenues in The Netherlands: Patronaat and, the least we can say is that, when it comes to Rock Posters for the shows he is promoting, he has good taste ;)

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we
listening to when we come to visit you?

The last Earth album is on heavy rotation here and they are playing Patronaat soon. The Cloud Nothings record did well in our office and while working I usually listen to a variety of contemporary electronics, from techno to moombahton. Right now it's the new Sleigh Bells: Reign of Terror.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

I'm Daniel Nagelkerke and I do marketing and pr for a music venue called Patronaat. That's in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

When did you start your business, how did that happen?

Patronaat started out in 1984 and is one of the main popvenues in The Netherlands. I started working there almost 4 years ago, at first just promoting the dance and electronic stuff. Before that I was booking and promoting punk shows, so it was a logical step to take on the promotion for the bands in Patronaat as well.

Today are you living from your activity, or do you do something else for a living?

I'm living from this, it's a full time job.

Which bands are you working with regularly?

There are only so many times a band can come to visit, but bands we've recently worked with were Mastodon, Battles, The Melvins, Earth, Karma To Burn, Entombed and 65daysofstatic.

Is it you, or the band, who decide which artist you are going to work with on a particular event?

Usually it's us, but in some cases the band delivers artwork from a particular artist.

How do you (do they) choose the artist you are going to work with on a particular event?

Their style should fit what the show is about. I look at previous work and if their style is in the right vein for the band and its following. It helps if the artist has heard the band, so he knows what he is dealing with.

What is the most important for you when you ask for a poster?

All of the poster should breathe the atmosphere of the show. Fans of the genre who don't know the specific band should be attracted to it.

What kind of advice would you give to a young artist who would like to work with you?

Make cool work, even if it's not an assignment. If your portfolio is stunning, the assignments will follow. I also think it helps to make artwork directly for bands, that's a good way to get your name across.

Are you a collector yourself?

Not really. I've collected flyers for gabberhouse parties when I was a kid and would visit all the presale addresses that were mentioned on the back, in order to find more and prettier flyers. I was too young to go the parties, but the fascination with artwork was there from an early age.

If so, what is your top 5 artists and top 5 posters ever?

My favorite artists are Malleus, Michiel Walrave, Boom Artwork, Peter Pontiac and Josse Blase.
There are three posters on my wall: a Malleus silkscreen for Patronaat, a Walrave silksreen and an Antistrot silkscreen (collectice including Walrave as well. They quit some time ago, but are back under the name Kamp Horst. Still really cool stuff)

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we find you on the web, what are you working on at the moment?

I've just asked Josse Blase for six more designs, all indie/folk/rock shows. I'm working on a design for a show with Odonis Odonis, Barn Owl, The Oscillation and Hayvanlar Alemi on April 21st and a dance party called Royal Rave featuring Knife Party and Munchi. The Devil's Blood is playing Patronaat in June, so that deserves a great poster as well.

You have a particular viewpoint on the poster scene, how do you see it evolve?

I love the fact that some designers also make silkscreens, I see there's still a demand for those in our following. We're even thinking about starting our own silkscreen workshop in our basement, like Vera in Groningen has. They have the best concert posters available in The Netherlands.