‘Things Happen At Night’ was written during a period when Planks was living a wild nightlife in Odense. The partying, the alcohol and partly the drugs served as an outlet, but behind the rush lurked emptiness and the feeling of being trapped in a vicious cycle. Later on, he was diagnosed with ADHD, which cast the experiences in a new light:
“For me, the song is about those periods when everything feels overwhelming. ‘The night’ can just as easily come on a sunny day. Back then I turned to drugs when problems piled up, but today — especially after being diagnosed with ADHD — I’ve learned that the dark periods are only a phase. I try to be more rational and solution-oriented,” says Mikkel Smidt Diget, the man behind the project.
Ironically, it was also a drunken night that ended up turning things around: one evening in Bogense he agreed to play at a café — an agreement he regretted the next day, but kept nonetheless. That concert became the starting point of a musical journey that has since taken him to stages such as Tinderbox, one of Denmark’s biggest festivals — and now to his first EP.
From Fleetwood Mac to Sam Fender
Planks’ music draws on the acoustic folk-rock tradition, inspired by the classic songwriters of the 60s and 70s such as Fleetwood Mac, Manfred Mann and the acoustic side of Led Zeppelin. His lyrics and guitar work are heavily influenced by The Tallest Man On Earth, while fans of Sam Fender are likely to connect with his sound. The result is a blend of introspection and powerful energy.
About Planks
Behind the name Planks is 32-year-old Mikkel Smidt Diget, who lives in Bogense with his wife and two daughters. The nickname Planks dates back to his teenage years on the handball and football courts, but today all his focus is on music. After many years as an active musician, he decided in 2025 to dedicate himself fully to songwriting. With a grounded presence and lyrics that draw on both his own and others’ experiences, Planks invites listeners to look deeper, ask questions and see the world from new perspectives.
‘Things Happen At Night’ will be released on 3 October. The EP ‘Pilot’ will follow on 7 November.
