When musicians form bands, the end goal is almost always the same: a new city every day, screaming fans, award shows, and TV appearances. It’s a common dream, and the present-day saturated market of up-and-coming artists makes the achievement of this dream difficult. For the self-proclaimed, Detroit-based “professional hobbyists” band Of House, though, that dream isn’t even in the plan.

Led by Nick Van Huis (whose Dutch last name literally translates to “of house”), Of House began simply as a means for Van Huis to write his own music. Then, the band expanded into a dwelling reminiscent of its name, with added support from Blake Hart, Pat Nolan, Gabe Downey, Mitch Segall, Amanda Van Huis, and other friends. With everybody boasting a combination of day jobs, long-term relationships, and kids, the band is less a money maker and more a chance to spend time together.

“Of House started as an outlet for me to write and record songs that didn’t work within the context of the band I was in at the time,” Van Huis explained. “It started out as a very personal form of expression where I wrote and recorded every part of every song.” 

“I like to call us ‘professional hobbyists,’ in that we play music because it’s fun, but we also take it very seriously. Everyone should make art with their friends. It’s such an amazing feeling to bring something to life with other people,” he said. “I’m also very lucky to have an extremely supportive wife who helps me make time for shows and recording sessions as well.”

Originally, when songs were played live, Van Huis would teach the other members each individual part and how it should be played. Now, music production is a group project. “It’s a much more collaborative process,” he said. “I still do full demos of the songs when I’m writing, but now I let the guys put their personalities on the songs too. We’ve all been friends for a long time, and we’ve been playing together long enough that they understand my vision better than anyone else.”

Of House’s discography is the modern take on classic rock staples—think Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, or Neil Young—mixed with the OG indie acts of R.E.M. and The Replacements. “We try to tap into ‘bands that jam,’” said Van Huis, “which gives our songs longer lengths, but we try to keep the music moving so it doesn’t feel drawn out or boring. I like to pack a lot of musical and lyrical themes into every song.”

Lyrically, Of House tells stories. Their most recent release, “Sunday School,” recounts the experience of discovering that religious belief can’t be forced. Van Huis elaborated, “Lyrically, I’m split between the story songs of Dylan or Springsteen, more diaristic writing, and the Dadaist word collages of Dan Bejar. Everything I write comes from a personal angle.”

The stanzas in “Sunday School” read like memories, with the details such as “Worn out carpets / Old wood benches / The familiar scent of / Wine and incense,” creating more than just a sonic experience. “Songwriting has always been a way for me to understand what’s happening around me,” Van Huis said, “so even though some lyrics may be fictional or stream-of-consciousness, there’s always a part of me in every song. With this newest cycle of songs, which will become our third album, I have tried to be a little more direct in my messaging, while not sacrificing the poetry of what makes a song timeless. I hope that everyone listening can see themselves as the narrator, even though the lyrics are very personal.”

The third album in question is currently in the midst of being recorded and hopefully out in 2026, according to Van Huis. The entire album aims to capture the energy of the band’s live shows. “These songs were brought to life by the band—Pat, Blake, Gabe, and Mitch—and you can really hear that live sound in the recordings,” Van Huis said, with their next single off of the upcoming album, “Hymn,” out this fall.

“We’re not trying to get big, in any sense of the word,” Van Huis said. It’s a sentiment that rings true, as every single released has its proceeds dedicated to a specific charity. In the case of “Sunday School,” Of House donates all profits to the Detroit Community Fridge. “We’re past our ‘get in the van and go’ years, and even if given the opportunity, I don’t think we’d take it.”

“We do this because we love it and will keep doing it because of that,” he concluded. “If every time we play a show, one more person comes, or every time we release music, there’s one more listener, then I think we’re successful.”

Photos taken from Facebook/Of House | Interviewed on July 24, 2025