Groningen-based punk four-piece Real Farmer have today released their new single ‘Run By Animals’ via Strap Originals. Bassist Marrit Meinema takes on all vocal duties on ‘Run By Animals’, giving a rare respite to frontman Jeroen Klootemsa. With ethereally-delivered lyrics steeped in melancholic realism underpinned by driving, hypnotic bass and skeletal, angular guitar, Real Farmer’s slow side has a spellbinding quality suited to the gothic folklore feel of the music video. The video, directed by Real Farmer and Dylan Hayes, sees a becloaked Marrit set off a bonfire behind a handcrafted anarchist symbol.
“We believe that we should get rid of the people currently ruling the world, decentralise power and give it back to the people,” says Marrit.
The single was produced by Niek Van Den Driesschen (Rats on Rafts, Iguana Death Cult) and recorded entirely analog to a 16-track tape machine at Far Out Sound Studios in Rotterdam. It was mastered by Melbourne-based whizz Mikey Young (Amyl and the Sniffers, Preoccupations, The Chats). Of the track’s lyrics Marrit shares:
“Run By Animals is about society not listening to victims of violence, oppression, femicide. Comfort is only afforded to those who are distanced far from these things, who keep themselves distanced. It’s hard to get people to listen, because it involves unlearning many wrong ‘truths’ that are deeply ingrained in the western world.”
‘Run By Animals’ follows the rip-roaring ‘Missing Link’ in being the second preview of their upcoming second album Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right, which is slated for a spring 2026 release through Strap Originals. A live session version of ‘Missing Link’ is their most streamed music video yet.
Real Farmer are fast making a name for themselves in alternative music scenes all over Europe thanks to their energetic blend of DIY punk, angular art-rock and gritty authenticity. Their relentless tour schedule in 2025 combined frequent headline tours with high-profile support slots (Babyshambles, Protomartyr) and festivals (The Libertines’ Gunnersbury Park festival, The Great Escape, Primavera Sound, Pitchfork Paris). With 2026 set to be their busiest year yet, an EU and UK tour for May and June respectively is to be announced.
The band emerged from the vibrant Groningen DIY scene in the north of the Netherlands and released their first EP on the renowned Subroutine Records (Tramhaus, The Homesick). The signing to Peter Doherty’s Strap Originals was off the strength of those early songs and their reputation as a fierce live act.
Real Farmer Live Dates
February
17 Utrecht – Tivoli Vredenburg (supporting Peter Doherty)
18 Paris – L’Olympia (supporting Peter Doherty)
For more information on Real Farmer please check their instagram and facebook.