Distorted Truths and Sonic Confessions: IT IT ANITA Set to Shake Holzstock

There’s something raw and beautifully unsettling about IT IT ANITA – the kind of band that doesn’t just play music, but detonates it. Hailing from Liège, Belgium, this noise rock outfit thrives in a sonic territory where distortion meets vulnerability, and chaos breeds clarity.

As they gear up to hit the stage at Romania’s Holzstock Indie Festival, we caught up with the band to unravel the story behind “Mouche,” their latest gut-punch of an album, and to talk about their uncompromising live energy, the twisted poetry of feedback, and the catharsis that comes with turning up the volume on inner truths.

IT IT ANITA doesn’t whisper – they scream, they question, and they resonate. And in this interview, they’re as loud as ever, even in words.

IT IT ANITA has been shaking walls and pushing limits for over a decade. For those unfamiliar with the storm you bring, how would you introduce the band — not just in terms of sound, but in spirit?

We’re just 3 fellas from Liège (Belgium) playing «noise-indie-punk-core-rock» music with the heart. We adore live shows, so we always give everything …

After a decade of making music, “Mouche” marks a fresh chapter for IT IT ANITA — a bold step into new territory. What was the driving force behind this evolution, and what did you leave behind to create this album?

With “Mouche” maybe we are back to a more conventional music format, rough songs, more «in-your-face» kinda songs. It was not premeditated, just the reflexion of our mood at the time and also the move to a 3 piece band. It’s maybe a bit less experimental than before.

Naming the album after your bassist’s golden retriever feels like a wink — tender and rebellious at the same time. What does “Mouche” represent beyond the dog, and how did it shape the emotional texture of the record?

“Mouche” is an assistance dog that I had home for 2 years, and he’s now living with someone who needs him very much. It’s very rewarding! He had to be with me and my wife everywhere, so the band knew him very much too and it was a great «goodbye» to offer him the name of the record. Maybe that’s the emotion behind all this : hope and people still being able to help each other in this weird world we live in right now.

Your lyrics dive into guilt, hangovers, fake praise, digital greed — but always with fire. Do you approach songwriting as a purge, a protest, or a form of confession?

A bit of all three, I admit! English is not my mother tongue so this is not an easy part of the job for me (I’ve asked a Scottish friend for help for some correction). But of course, in our crazy society, I have things to say. And the stage is one of the latest free space we have.

You’ve played loud, fast, and everywhere. But in the quieter moments — post-show, hotel room, van rides — what’s the thought that won’t leave you alone?

We love to travel and to meet people. This is the most rewarding part of our job. We know we’re lucky to play in beautiful places like Holzstock, and we’re grateful for that !

You’re about to bring all this raw energy to Holzstock — a festival that breathes in silence and exhales distortion. How do you think your noise will echo in that kind of intimate chaos?

We will do our best to transmit our energy to the audience. We are very excited to play Romania for the first time! And big noise in intimate chaos sounds perfect for us.

What are you hoping the audience at Holzstock walks away with — besides the ringing in their ears? Is there something beneath the volume that you want them to feel?

For sure. Our live show sounds loud but is full of ups and downs and sincerity. I hope that the audience will remember that.

Going from quartet to trio changes the weight and rhythm of a band. What new dynamic has emerged between the three of you — musically or personally — since the shift?

The move to 3 piece was a very natural move. Damien was too busy to continue playing with us so we’ve rehearsed a lot without him. Elliot handled a lot of the vocals, the result is maybe a bit rougher and more «screamo». The feedbacks from people who knew IIAA before the shift have been very positive so we know that it was a wise decision.

What’s next for IT IT ANITA? Is this era about going deeper, getting louder, or burning everything down again to see what’s left?

We’ve just finished our new record. It will be out in February 2026. We have experimented a bunch of new things but we are and we will always be IT IT ANITA.