Coen Swijnenberg and Sander Lantinga are not yet considering an end to their collaboration. The radio DJs have been on the radio for sixteen years this month, fourteen of them in The Coen and Sander Show, and celebrate this anniversary on the radio for seven hours on Thursday afternoon.
“I don’t see us doing this for another sixteen years, but for the time being I see ourselves choosing each other rather than ourselves”, Lantinga tells NU.nl. “As long as it stays fresh and lively and people enjoy it, it is a shame to stop. But I do think we have to think hard when the wear and tear get in and it becomes a repetition of moves.”
Swijnenberg, who was heard together with Lantinga for the first time in 2004 on the Friday evening of 3FM, joins in. “We have agreed that we must be honest when we look at each other and it is not there. Then we should not continue because we are in a nice place, with a good salary, or for whatever reason.”
‘Not exactly great friends’
The well-known radio duo has known each other for quite some time, although they had to warm up in their early days. “When we started, we weren’t big friends, we barely knew each other,” says Swijnenberg. “That really happened during the radio making.” In the meantime, that is all right. “When we are in the studio together, something happens. We can do more with the two of us.”
Lantinga even sees their bond getting stronger. “We are growing closer to each other, but remain different. We have our own lives and interests, which keeps it fresh. I notice that we are becoming more and more familiar with each other. You share a lot of peaks and troughs with each other.”
‘Biggest test so far’
One of those dips is the burnout that Swijnenberg struggled with until the spring of this year. He could not be heard on the radio for more than six months and Lantinga turned on The Coen and Sander Show temporarily on with substitutes by his side.
Lantinga thought it was exciting to work with his radio partner again after such a long time. “I had made radio with others for seven months and maybe Coen came back as a different person and he only wanted to play Bollywood music. But within five seconds we noticed that it was right. The foundation is strong.”
Swijnenberg says this period was the “biggest test” for the duo so far, but also quickly noticed that it was good. “I was received in such a special way. Sander has always said: take your time, don’t feel any pressure. It sounds a bit sticky, but he is a huge support for me.”
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Coen Swijnenberg (left) and Sander Lantinga (right) on the set of Sesame Street, where they made a radio broadcast in 2011.
Tension arc that does not collapse
The two will reflect on their radio anniversary on Thursday in an extra long broadcast from 12:00 to 19:00, which Swijnenberg sees as a kind of replacement anniversary party. Last year, the duo would celebrate its fifteen-year radio anniversary in the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven, but Swijnenberg had to leave due to his burn-out.
“I already felt guilty that I had to report sick and then there was also an anniversary that I could not attend,” says the DJ. “It is catching up for me that I can now experience this party.”
It will be a surprise what the special show will look like. “There will be guests, probably a few gigs and we will also hand out ourselves: we will only play the best songs of the past few years”, says Lantinga.
Like Little Lion Man from Mumford & Sons, which first appeared on their show and went on to become a huge hit. The same applies to You’re so by Jeroen van der Boom. “We had a bit of a fight with him because we were joking about a cover of him, but then me You’re so heard on television, we decided to play it. And it became a huge hit. Then the air had cleared between us. “
Swijnenberg is most proud of the essence of the program, which they have been making every working day on Radio 538 for five years (previously on 3FM). “Every day we want to create an atmosphere that gives the listener the feeling that he is putting on his best-fitting coat. What we do is not always a hit, but that atmosphere is always good. Sander and I form a tension that does not collapse. It gives a kick to see that every day succeed. “
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