Songs In The Key Of… Amsterdam

Amsterdam: the city that Goldkimono calls home

From André Hazes to Altın Gün, Goldkimono shares a musical map of Amsterdam, full of rhythm, memory and late-night atmosphere

Dutch artist Goldkimono, the creative alias of Martijn ‘Tienus’ Konijnenburg, is known for pairing reflective lyrics with laidback grooves. With roots in pop, funk, soul and indie-electronica, his sound carries echoes of Talking Heads and Paul Simon, yet remains distinctly his own. Following two celebrated albums, he returns with This One’s On The House – a deeply personal third record created in late-night sessions at his kitchen table and shaped alongside producer Tim Bran (London Grammar, Birdy). Ahead of its release, Goldkimono curates a playlist of 12 tracks that capture the essence of the city he calls home…

LOVING IS EASY (FT. BENNY SINGS) BY REX ORANGE COUNTY

Love this one. A great tune with an Amsterdam touch, thanks to Benny Sings, who co-wrote and produced it. Benny’s signature soft-funk is all over this. It sets the tone for a mood that’s both easy going and musically tight. It’s international pop but carried by the kind of understated confidence you find in the city’s creative scene as well.

I’M IN HEAVEN BY GOLDKIMONO

Self-plug alert: this one’s mine. I know, I know but it’s my new tune that’s just come out and I’m too excited not to share this one. Feels like one of those nights where the city turns cinematic on you.

AMSTERDAM BY COLDPLAY

Always loved this tune, the slow and sombre Tom Waits-like piano feel. I’ve listened to this lots when I was younger and in the afterglow of something. Could be a bender, or a melancholy train ride home. And I love how the track is called Amsterdam, even though it hasn’t any real lyrical relevance. But it was written while Coldplay were in Amsterdam and I always imagine Chris Martin recording it into his voice note and calling it Amsterdam so he could remember to find it later as that tune he wrote in Amsterdam. Love they decided to keep the title.

UPRISING BY MY BABY

These, legends. I remember hanging out with them in LA once and seeing them play; incredible musicians and live show on point too. Great energy. Blues, psychedelia, and tribal rhythms morphed into something raw and kinetic. Uprising is Amsterdam in a warehouse in Noord, channelling old spirits through modern sound. It’s rooted and restless just like the city sometimes. But yeah, lot of soul this tune. Love it.

BEVING: ALA BY JOEP BEVING

This guy lives in my neighbourhood, I think. See him cruising around here every now and again. Anyway, he’s an amazing composer! This minimalist piano piece is like breathing in some stillness by the Amstel River. He found a way to wrap complexity in beautiful simplicity. His music invites you to pause, you know? I love driving when listening to his songs. Always chills me right out.

BONES BY DOTAN

Dotan’s an Amsterdam-based artist I met pretty early on through the city’s music scene. He invited me to sing some backing vocals on his 7 Layers record, and we started writing songs together not long after. We’ve shared quite a lot of music and laughs since then. Bones is one of those songs I keep coming back to this one because it has such a nice calming presence, lovely falsetto chorus and I always love how the guitar sounds. It crackles a bit. All and all a perfect record for a stroll through the park on a fall day.

Goldkimono on Amsterdam: “The biggest sounds can come from the small city.”

KITE IN A HURRICANE BY HAEVN

I owe my current studio spot to the Haevn boys. Their own studio is right next door and they knew there was a spot available at the time that I was looking, so they had the golden tip. After I moved in, we hung out all the time as we were right down the hall from each other. We started collaborating and made some great tunes together. They also introduced me to Tim Bran their producer one day after I got back from a gig and put my stuff back in the studio. Tim and I clicked and we produced my latest album together. So, it’s safe to say Haevn has been pretty instrumental throughout my career so far. Great guys, and masters of mood. I remember when they played me Kites In A Hurricane for the first time. When the chorus came in I leaped off the couch with my hands in the air. So excited by how the tune took off. These guys keep getting better and better at their craft.

THIS ONE’S ON THE HOUSE BY GOLDKIMONO

Sorry guys, I mean, had to sneak another one of my own songs in there. This is a tuuuune! Also, the title track to my album. Started it on a battered laptop and a guitalele that I travelled Indonesia with. Plugged in some chorded earbuds and started to get cracking. Happy I did because it didn’t take that long for this one to take shape. The vibe was quirky and tongue in cheek at the beginning. In the studio we buffed it up a little bit. Gave it a bit more attitude and a smooth finish. But the character stands. It’s laid back, but confident. Just like my fav uncle.

SCARED TO BE LONELY BY MARTIN GARRIX & DUA LIPA

Had to include Amsterdam’s global pop sensation of course. The biggest sounds can come from the small city. Martin has built an incredible studio called STMPD. This is where I recorded my whole album. It’s a 10-minute bike ride from my house which makes the commute no lemons. I was lucky enough to bump into Martin one day at the studio, he played us some unreleased stuff off his laptop with the energy of someone who just started in music. It all sounded next level and the energy was so good. Totally lovely dude and talented way beyond his years. Keeps a lovely team of professionals at the studio too, all wonderful people. Shout out to the STMPD crew!

ZIJ GELOOFT IN MIJ BY ANDRÉ HAZES

No Amsterdam playlist is complete without at least one André Hazes. This song, a Dutch classic, is filled with raw heart and working-class spirit. Hazes sings with a kind of vulnerability that feels lived in and deeply rooted. Like the brown bars of De Jordaan where his music still plays today. Zij Gelooft In Mij is about belief through hard times. It captures the sentimental, unpolished soul of Amsterdam – the real city behind the postcard.

AMSTERDAM BY JACQUES BREL

Though Brel was Belgian, his chanson Amsterdam has arguably become one of the most iconic songs about the city. It’s theatrical, poetic, and unrelenting. Painting the harbour and its sailors in vivid, unfiltered detail. It doesn’t romanticize; it roars. This track is an emotional centrepiece. It reminds us that cities aren’t always gentle. They can be gritty, brutal, beautiful all at once. Brel’s version of Amsterdam is mythic, but it feels so real.

YÜCE DAĞ BAŞINDA BY ALTIN GÜN

This is an amazing Turkish psych-funk band formed in Amsterdam, blending Anatolian folk with vintage synths and global grooves. This tune is a vibe and a half. Hypnotic and soulful, it’s got disco, 80s, bongos, lasers and captivating vocal performance. It’s buzzing with a clean rhythm, but holding something ancient in its bones. Makes this city feel lucky to have absorbed some of the Turkish musical spirit and culture.

Goldkimono’s new album This One’s On The House is out now, listen at bfan.link/this-one-s-on-the-house-1

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