Belgium’s Best Export is Music
Sorry to all beer lovers and chocolate fanatics reading this. I hear you, the title might seem a little exaggerated, but trust me — Belgian artists know how to make good music! I already wrote an article about the song Indigo Night by Belgian singer-songwriter Tamino. Discovering his music is exactly how I started diving more and more into the Belgian music scene, without even realizing it. A week or two would pass, and the recommendation algorithms of YouTube and Spotify would sneak in a new song I’d really love. I’d check out the artist to find out more — and there it would be again… Belgium. Of course, I can’t have possibly listened to every song with Belgian origins that exists out there. However, I wanted to share a few artists that have really captured my attention in the last few months — Warhaus, Balthazar, and Faces on TV.
Warhaus
Right around the end of 2019, I was obsessed with one song — Love’s a Stranger. It’s one of those songs which somehow fit any activity — riding the train, getting ready in the morning, cooking, dancing on your own around the flat… At this point in my relationship with a certain song, I don’t really pay close attention to the performer. I just listen to it over and over again and let it carry me away into the world that it is depicting through its melody and lyrics. When I sober up a little, I start craving more of that artistry. So it wasn’t until later that I discovered that Warhaus is the solo project of Maarten Devoldere, also featuring the beautiful voice of Sylvie Kreusch. What you would read about him online revolves a lot around this and the other project he’s in — Balthazar, and the fact that his style is like the music child of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Although I hear that, I can’t much comment on it, as I am not an expert on their music. What I hear is Warhaus and the velvety voice of Maarten Devoldere, his brilliant songwriting, and the exceptional production that makes his music so distinguishable. While the studio albums are great, it is much more impressive to listen to this artist’s live performances. Here’s my recommendation with I’m Not Him live at the Music Apartment.
Balthazar
The artists in this article are very much connected. As already mentioned above, Maarten Devoldere is part of the band Balthazar, whose songs he also contributes to together with the band’s other lead singer Jinte Deprez. Balthazar has a more of an indie-pop/rock sound but to me, there’s something in their music that sets them apart in this scene. The way they make use of the voices of all band members, the fact that they don’t stick to the “traditional” pop/rock band instrumentals, how their music transforms in a concert setting… all this is why I find Balthazar to be such a great band. I was surprised to read they’ve been together since 2004 as they have a very distinct sound in each of the four albums they produced since then. I guess that might have something to do with the fact that basically everyone in the band has or is a part of another project. The freedom to express oneself artistically to fit a certain period of your journey as a musician is what I think is a key factor in not just producing music, but creating art. Think of Maynard James Keenan or Corey Taylor, two of my very favorite musicians, who remain at the top of the rock and metal scene for years. They have different projects and you know you can count on hearing something new and exciting every time an album comes out. But… I am getting off topic. I was wondering which song of Balthazar to choose to share with you, and I must say it was not easy. But eventually, I decided on the live version of Bunker. It was the first song by them that I heard and it portrays everything I wrote about their music — the harmonies, the instrumental, and the incredible live performance.
Faces on TV
Faces on TV is my newest obsession… Jasper Maekelberg is the person behind this project. Actually, it seems he’s the person behind the production and mixing of several Belgian artists, including Balthazar. You will also notice him in some of the live videos of Warhaus. I am still in the midst of processing his music physically and emotionally. Do you know this feeling you get, when you find a new song or artist you really like? It’s like this warm sensation in your chest, similar to maybe when you look into the eyes of the person you love. I listen to his songs and I forget for a moment about my ordinary day. In the end, I think that’s the effect music should have. I have yet to learn about Jasper Maekelberg, listen to more of his own music, and also the music he produced. But for now, I am just going to share with you the song by Faces on TV I am most in love with currently — Love/Dead. It’s also a live performance and I find it simply brilliant.
When I started planning out what music-related topics I want to write about, it never occurred to me I would dedicate an article to Belgium. I was just so thrilled and inspired by those musicians that I didn’t even think twice about writing this. I am looking forward to discovering even more talent from this country. In the meantime, I added some of my favorite songs by Warhaus, Balthazar, and Faces on TV to a playlist on Spotify.
