Pleasant Conversations with Niek Van Hees (Niek’s Balkan Travel Support & Klompenfest)

How did your connection with the Balkans and Serbia begin? What drew you to this region?

In 2011 it was mostly an adventurous mindset that drew me to do the “Balkan Ekspres” train ride from Beograd to Bar. I felt really good, welcomed and amazed in the Balkans from day one. After that I decided to live abroad for 1 year. I was a bit fed up with The Netherlands at that time, and it was the right moment to leave that behind for some time. No job, no house and no girlfriend, so a lot of freedom. It was just something I needed to do in my life, to extend travelling abroad with actually living in a new place where I could build a new life/story from scratch. After my experience in 2011, it was very clear to me that I had to go back to the Balkans, and especially Serbia. Somehow I had a strong gut feeling about it. I saved up some euros, enrolled in Serbian Classes at the uni of Novi Sad, Filosofski Fakultet (otherwise I could not stay that long in Serbia, and I wanted to try and learn Serbian too, so win win), and I booked a one way ticket to Novi Sad. I remember being very enthusiastic but also quite insecure at the same time. I had never been to Novi Sad and did not know anybody.

Can you tell us more about your initiative Balkan Travel Support? How did the idea come about?

This idea is basically the result of being in and travelling around the Balkans since 2011. In parallel to my professional “career” that ended in 2021 I always felt that I had to change my life; I was not really made for regular jobs. So I had to find a way to combine my passion and love for the Balkans region and entrepreneurship. It took some time and effort to develop the right concept, but then it all came together in Balkan Travel Support. I run this by myself (so fully independent), but in close contact with my dear network in 8 countries. I facilitate travel packages based on the needs and wishes of my clients. So I don’t have any standard package, it’s always personalized. I strongly believe this gives you a way better experience while travelling. Next to that, this business gives me the opportunity to share better and more trustworthy information about the Balkans in The Netherlands. And last but not least, I create a (modest but honest) source of income for all my local partners in the Balkans. These are always people I know personally and run small or mid-sized businesses.

How did the idea for Klompenfest come to life, and why did you choose Novi Sad for the first edition?

Very nice question! Well, as I started Balkan Travel Support, many people from my network in Holland heard about it of course. This made a group of eight guys contact me with the following question: “Niek, can you facilitate a weekend trip to the Balkans, including hc/punk/metal music?” At first, I was looking for existing festivals, but I could not find a proper option. And then it hit me; this is my chance! This is my opportunity to do something new and cool for many different people in my life; this nice group of eight friends, bands from The Netherlands that are open to performing in Serbia and most importantly; the local (underground) scene in Novi Sad and Serbia! Hardcore punks, students, musicians, rockers, alternative kids, artists, metalheads, party people; everyone is welcome at KLOMPENFEST. Novi Sad is my second home for 13 years now, everyone has been very nice to me since day 1, so it was a no-brainer to organize it in Novi Sad, Moj Grad together with my dear friends. Since 2022 I live part-time in Bukovac (village close to NS) so it all came together.

The festival brings together bands from the Netherlands and Serbia. What was your main goal in connecting these two music scenes?

Well, next to bridging the gap between these two countries seems to be my mission in life, I also feel that we just match on a personal and musical level. Even though several Dutch bands performed in Serbia over the years, I think it does not hurt to strengthen that bond! The Dutch scene is on the rise, and the scene in Serbia is so huge and diverse: it was time to try and play my part in that, in close collaboration with all my friends from Novi Sad that are making this thing happen. Our backgrounds are so incredibly different, but the underground vibe is such a good match in my opinion.

Pressure Pact and Krime are strong names in the Dutch underground. How did their collaboration with you and Klompenfest come about?

They are To be honest, in the beginning, it was quite hard for me to come up with bands for the fest. I mean, there are so many options. Luckily, Zgro from Fabrika helped out with suggestions of bands he thought would be good to bring over and that would be interesting for the local scene. I then contacted them, and for me the most important thing was that they would understand the idea and “conditions” for this fest. I mean, it’s all DIY where everybody pitches in, and the shows had to be exclusive for Klompenfest. From the start both Pressure Pact and Krime fully understood and liked my story and we agreed on the setup up pretty fast, which was amazing. Fully based on enthusiasm, support and trust. And really good music of course!

The Serbian audience is very familiar with the bands that will be supporting the Dutch crew—tell us more about them and their recent activities.

PRESSURE PACT is a hardcore band from the Netherlands, blending raw, fast-paced hardcore with gritty Oi! influences. Since 2016, they’ve been delivering stripped-down, high-energy performances reminiscent of bands like NEGATIVE FX and BOSTON STRANGLER. They’ve toured Europe, Japan, and played at major Dutch festivals, as well as sharing the stage with Turnstile in Germany. However, their heart lies in small, DIY venues and passionate hardcore communities. Now, they’re heading to Novi Sad for their Serbian debut, ready to bring unfiltered, old-school hardcore energy to the local scene.

Krime, formed in early 2024 by former members of Citizens Patrol and Brat Pack, delivers a fierce punk sound with a hardcore backbone, reminiscent of the mid-’80s. They keep things fresh by blending Cali-style melodies, occasional d-beats, and Motorhead-inspired grit. Influenced by Poison Idea and RKL, their music is sharp, edgy, and unapologetically untethered to trends. Pure, untainted punk energy.

What impresses you the most about the Serbian alternative music scene – are there any bands or venues you particularly like?

What impresses me the most is the never stopping power of everyone involved to keep doing shows, zines, platforms, bands, festivals etcetera. And also the level of how everything is done. With such conviction and strength in a very challenging country. What I learned is that these movements are an essential part of life in Serbia. All I could do is supporting that wherever I could by going to shows, buying drinks and merch, donations and now organizing a fest. Regarding bands; obviously a big fan of Ground Zero, War Engine and Majak and very proud to have them playing Klompenfest. Next to that; Kalo, The Stone, Shoplifters, Fiskalni Račun, Pestarzt, Casillas, All Except One, to name a few. Venues: Društveni Centar R.I.P., Fabrika, Rusinski Kulturni Centar & CK13.

What kind of audience do you expect at Klompenfest? Do you plan for this to become a regular event?

I really hope the audience will be very mixed. I don’t really like to be boxed in regarding music. We tried to make it interesting for all ages and for people with different preferences in alternative music, as you can see in the lineup. The most important thing is that everybody feels free to have a very good time and let off some steam in these demanding and crazy times! That’s what our music scene is meant for in the end. It’s really cool that there are at least 17 people from The Netherlands in Novi Sad that evening! 8 fans, 8 band members and me that is

And yes, I want to do it yearly. I already have a good idea about what bands to bring in next year But, first things first: let’s see how this first edition turns out. It’s a challenging time to organize a fest with all that is going on in Serbia, but for me it’s not an option not to do it. I can be quite stubborn. Let’s call it my little positive act of resistance and support for my people in Serbia who are oppressed.

How do you see the role of DIY ethics and the underground movement in today’s Europe – and do you think the Balkan scene offers something unique?

Man, it’s extremely important. To be honest, the older I get, the more I value it somehow. It gives you the platform and opportunity to express autonomous values and start initiatives in a relatively safe and social setting. It’s very hard to stay true to yourself in The Netherlands for example, with capitalism and individualism boosting. Somehow the Balkan scene knows and understands this importance from deeper down, in my humble opinion. Okay I hope readers understand the next thing I want to say, which is a generalization but still kinda true: when I was 20 and visited concerts in The Netherlands, there were many local underground bands (I was in one of them) screaming their lungs out about all their frustrations. But when I exited the venue after the show and I looked around me, I was like; but it’s not so bad here, right? I mean, we have many problems in Holland, but it felt always a bit out of balance, because our system is functioning and basic needs are met most of the time. Unfortunately, when I came to Serbia, the context for the underground movement was extremely different. I mean, the reality IS really bad and should change and improve as soon as possible! I fully understand and support all protests going on and my family joined one (dijaspora) in Utrecht a few weeks ago. The struggles everyone faces on a daily basis are huge, and in that I feel the Balkan scene is strong; a creative, active and talented movement that protects you and gives you the opportunity to really share and stand for your opinion, and let go of your frustration alongside real friends in the fight for freedom.

As someone who crosses borders frequently – both literally and musically – what’s the biggest challenge, and what gives you the most satisfaction in your work?

The biggest challenge must be: staying positive, realistic and constructive. Trusting the path that I took is the right one, with all its challenges, and that I am doing something that is both appreciated and needed in both The Netherlands as Serbia/The Balkans. The most satisfying is when my efforts are beneficial for all (!) people involved, including my own little family and all my friends in both The Netherlands as the Balkans.

What message would you like to send to the local audience – why shouldn’t they miss Klompenfest on April 12 in Novi Sad?

The best of both underground worlds will come together this evening! Make new friends, blow off steam and experience a vibrant mix of five amazing bands. “ALLES NAAR DE KLOTE GODVERDOMME!!!”

Are you a musician yourself, or have you always preferred being behind the scenes, organizing and connecting people?

I would not call myself a musician. I used to sing in a metalcore band and a Turbonegro cover band when I was really young and did some guest vocals with No Turning Back the last 12 years, but that’s it haha! And yeah, organizing and connecting people is something I have always liked to do and suits me personally. With Balkan Travel Support I have the perfect vehicle to do exactly that in many different ways.

What’s your long-term vision – do you see Klompenfest as a bridge between music scenes, or as the start of a broader cultural connection between the Netherlands and the Balkans?

With Balkan Travel Support I am facilitating a broader cultural connection between The Netherlands and the Balkans, but with Klompenfest I am focussing on bridging underground music scenes between our two countries. If I can make this a yearly thing, that would be really amazing. I am super happy with the collaboration with all bands, local scenes, friends and Fabrika and how everyone involved is supporting this random Dutch guy trying to do something new and cool. Sometimes I think that all the people that are so supportive don’t realize how incredibly good and nice people they are. It means the world to me, really. Now it’s time for me to try and give something back to all you amazing people.

Get ready for the first edition of Klompenfest in Novi Sad on April 12, 2025! This unique festival brings together bands and fans from both the Netherlands and Serbia, celebrating underground punk, hardcore, and metal.

Line-up:

• Pressure Pact (Eindhoven’s angriest hardcore punk band, exclusive first show in Serbia!)
• Krime (fierce punk with hardcore backbeats and Motorhead influences)
• Majak, Ground Zero, and War Engine.

Tickets:

• Earlybird: 800 dinars (includes a free drink for the first 100 tickets).
• Regular/door: 1000 dinars.
• Under 18: Free entry!

Stay tuned for updates at skcns.org!