We are starting again and everyone seems to be thinking the same thing. We are rusty after 2 years of almost no activity and everyone seems to be the same way. Our bankaccount has never been so close to empty as it is right now and it seems that is the same for everyone right now.

It is a good start of being together again. We are all in the same boat and extremely happy to get going again.

What are we facing?

1. We haven’t been updating our fleet of gear now for 2 years. This means we should be heavily investing in new stuff, but we lack the funds. Hopefully by the end of may, june things look better and can we start doing what we always were happy to do: listening to bands wishes and buying new stuff when needed.
2. Many of the companies that we worked with in terms of vans have sold (part of) their vans to survive the pandemic and workless period. Now that there is a big wait in new production we are spending a lot of time in finding the right van for each band. We also try to help one company we work with in buying new vans, so for the first time in 22 years we are asking band for a little deposit, so that we can all go on the road in the right van and do what we are good at!
3. Tour managing, driving, doing sound, these are all jobs that are done by self employed people and many of them have started a new career, or had time enough to decide that they would be more selective in the amount of tours they would go onto. If that is already a natural situation, new arrivals of hungry kids hitting the road has also stood still for 2 years, so we are also spending a lot of time finding these people for the tours we have been asked for.

None of the above are a reason to be sad or frustrated, the greek word crisis means chance and that is how we look at it, we are making new friends, we re-aquaint with people and start again with new unheard of amount of energy

New and not so new things related to Smoeff:

1. We are about to open up our webshop on which bands can sell their tour left over merchandise. Keep an eye on the link on this website.
2. We have added screenprinting to our roster by buying and having given old style screenprinting facilities for both posters and shirts. We are still learning from a “pro” and we have already helped some bands and venues to merch as tests. If the production seems to be difficult we have enough contacts to hand it over to others, so bring on your request and we will deal with it.
3. Luc has finally fulfilled a dream he had for years and started building his own pedals, which can be found here and on Instagram. Bands on tour are welcome to try them, out.

Gijs had time to spend even more time in Mambo, Lushoto, Tanzania and set up the “Taasisi Ya Michezo Ya Upendo Na Amani”, an institution of sports that under that banner motivates children and youth to be active, positive and find ways to escape poverty, go to University, do vocational training, start a business, ride with tourtists on a bike or become a local or national recognized sportsman. All of this supported by www.allkidsshouldplay.nl who look for funds that exceeds Gijs’ own pocket.