TAXITAXI started with three musicians from Groningen united by one mission: perform as much as possible and conquer the universe with their Dutch punk. Why? Simply because it’s fun. With their alter egos Freddy Sunshine, Roberto Cornetto and Bobby Baloney—Super Mario-like characters with a Groningen twist—the three artists take the Dutch stages by storm with their raw, straightforward, and sometimes humorous punk.
The lyrics of TAXITAXI’s songs stand out for their simplicity. Issues like an overzealous team leader, nobody caring about your high school diploma, or stepping out of the matrix as a true alpha male are translated in a universal message everybody understands. The simplicity of their songs allows everyone to find their own meaning in the music—or not.
It turns out, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to go skyrocket, as long as everything about your music works. Their debut album, Stap in (“Hop In”), was received with great enthusiasm, and with the Popronde showcase music festival, they’re currently performing all over the Netherlands. In 2025, TAXITAXI will even go international with a European tour, during which their songs will be partially or fully translated. This way, Germans can cheerfully sing along to Stolz auf dich ( “Trotsopjou”, “Proud of You”) and Wie läuft es deiner Meinung nach? der Team Leiter ( “Hoe vind jezelf dat het gaat? Teamleider”, “How Do You Think It’s Going? – The Team Leader”).
Groningen: home base
For TAXITAXI, Groningen is both home and inspiration. Starting a band in Groningen with international ambitions has its upsides and downsides. The city offers plenty of opportunities for new bands to perform. While it might not make you rich immediately, having such a variety of venues and cafés to choose from is a huge advantage. This, according to the band members, sets Groningen apart from Amsterdam, where a larger—sometimes even international—audience is within reach, but there are fewer places to perform.
However, Groningen’s literal and figurative distance from the rest of the Netherlands—and the world—presents challenges. It’s over three hours from the Randstad (Yes, for Dutch people a considerable distance), making it less likely that bookers from other parts of the country will casually drop by to see a show. Yet, after their spectacular start, TAXITAXI is more than ready to overcome this obstacle. Their band and music are the perfect vehicle to propel them to the top.
Want to know more about TAXITAXI and where you can see these guys live? Check out our Far Out podcast, where host Tony chats with the band members.
With Far Out we want to dive into different music and art scenes, featuring live sessions, music videos, deep conversations, and personal stories that showcase the creative journeys of our guests. The podcast explores the evolving world of music and culture, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing today’s artists. It delves into themes like digital innovation, mental health, diversity, inclusion, and the rise of new revenue models and streaming platforms. Far Out is a platform where artists share experiences, exchange ideas, and navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the music industry.
This project is powered and supported by Kunstraad en gemeente Groningen, Poppodium VERA and studio Mojo Dojo.
Photo header: Ruben Smit
