Dutch group Lewsberg ceased operations, but the band’s Arie van Vliet is now bringing similar Velvet Underground-y vibes to The Hobknobs, his duo with Yaël Dekker of The Klittens. The group are gearing up to release their debut album, Helmets Off, on June 26 via 12XU. First single “Easier Listening” is jaunty in a Jonathan Richman kind of way and Arie and Yaël’s vocal interplay is pretty charming. Listen below.
You can get a preview of the album by catching The Hobknobs on their current US tour — they’ve also got The Klittens’ Katja Kahana on bass — that includes two NYC-area shows: Brooklyn’s Hart Bar on May 5 with Van Goth and CS Cleaners, and Tubby’s Kingston on May 6 with $500. All dates are listed below.
Helmets Off
1. The Mind 02:20
2. My Conditions 02:19
3. Around The Bend 02:44
4. Jennette McCurdy 02:46
5. Are You Looking For Something 03:11
6. Dictionary 03:30
7. The Bowl 02:45
8. Interlude 1 00:33
9. Fuel 02:44
10. The Tide 03:38
11. Used To It 03:54
12. The Extra Mile 03:05
13. Interlude 2 00:30
14. Easier Listening 02:34
15. Enarmoured 02:59
16. Green Pastures 00:45
The Hobknobs – 2026 Tour Dates
Apr 30, 2026 – Washington, DC – Rhizome (w/ Linda Smith)
May 1, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA – Jerry’s On Front (w/ Emily Robb)
May 2, 2026 – Boston, MA – O’Brien’s (w/ Lightheaded, Intac)
May 3, 2026 – Providence, RI – Providence Popfest
May 5, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY – Hart Bar (w/ Van Goth, CS Cleaners)
May 6, 2026 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
May 7, 2026 – Pittsburgh, PA – Government Center
May 8, 2026 – Indianapolis, IN – State Street Pub
May 9, 2026 – Detroit, MI – Outer Limits
Jul 2, 2026 – Groningen, Netherlands – M.o.C. (w/ Milojkovic Kwintet)
Jul 12, 2026 – Riegsee, Germany – Raut Oak Fest
Sep 5, 2026 – Dresden, Germany – The Sound Of Bronkow