Over the past few weeks, I’ve played Jacky, my favorite song from The Kryng’s new record Twelve Hymns to Syng Along, endlessly.

The raw, pure, and straightforward emotion is simply irresistible.

The Kryng is a Dutch Garage Pop band. Arjan Spies of The Kik is a band member, but Mark Ten Hoor writes all songs, and each song is… well … a hymn to singalong.

Great record!

What was the moment you knew you were on to something?

When I heard The Beatles as a child, I thought, “I want that too”. I started thinking up songs relatively young before I could even play guitar.

How great is the urge to stay creative? To keep writing songs and lyrics?

The necessity is quite high because it has always been a big dream of mine and still is to write songs and record them and play them with a band

How did this record come together?

The three of us go into the studio, and in a relaxed atmosphere, we devise the arrangements for the songs I supplied. We often play those live, and later the vocals come over it, as well as percussion and other effects. This is how it has always been with the recordings we make in Rotterdam.

The meaning of success has changed over the years. What would success look like for the new record?

We get great reactions, reach an audience, sell some records, and play some gigs we enjoy.

When was the last time you thought, ‘I just wrote a hit!’?

A good example was when I wrote The Kryng’s debut single, “Baby What You Want”. At that time, I listened to a lot of folky garage punk, and this was a result of that. I certainly hope to have moments like this many more times.

You can’t control the way people ‘hear’ your music. But if you could make them aware of certain aspects, you think, set your songs separately. What would they be?

The combination of sensitive songs with a raw garage sound; indie rock combined with 60’s beat/punk.

What compliment you once received will you never forget?

I always like it when people think the songs are good or original. Fortunately, I’ve had that compliment more than once.

You can pick three co-writers to write new songs with. Who? …and Why?

John Lennon, Roger McGuinn, and Lou Reed, because these guys have influenced me and my songs and taste in many ways.

The record is done, the music is out. Is the best fun done now or is it just beginning?

As I mentioned, it would be nice if we sold some records and could play some gigs. By the way, we can be found in the studio regularly and record all kinds of old and new ideas from me. At the beginning of September, we will spend another day with Arjan’s Teepdek in Rotterdam.

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The Krying is:

Mark Ten Hoor: Guitar & Vocals
Peter Kroes: Bass, Guitar, Mellotron, Backing Vocals
Arjan Spies: Drums, Guitar, Piano