What if a living statue falls for a real one? Sounds like an instant recipe for a universal fairytale doesn’t it? A unique lovestory pairing new to ancient times. A fine filmmaker makes it come true on the big screen in “Hearts of Stone”.
Scene 🎬 from “Hearts of Stone”, shot in this beautiful park in metropolis Antwerp
Step into the mind of director Tom Van Avermaet. Inventive, extremely creative and perfectionist upon till The End-credits of his brainchildren🎞.
And yes most certainly his name should ring more than one bell. A previous short film of his, called “Death of A Shadow”, featuring another Belgian pride- and joy in cinema; Matthias Schoenaerts, was nominated for an Oscar in 2013.
What better way to find out more about the making of his newest production than to ask the director himself…
Tom: I’ve always been fascinated by living statues. I knew they were out there. Acting and pretending to be statues. It made me think about what their world would or could be like. Turned out their community was slightly different from what I imagined.
AC: How’s that?
Tom: I always wanted to do something with living statues in film. But not quite sure yet about the kind of story I should tell about them. I guess I had more of a naïve kind of view on their world to begin with.
Maybe I saw them less as professionals and more like this kind of imaginary community.
In my world living statues would be people that long for a time that isn’t there anymore or maybe never was. Some sort of imagined past…and going back to this imaginary past that maybe never existed.” So I decided to use that by telling…a love story. Baseline: “Living statue falls in love with a real statue.” Which kind of made sense to me instantly.
This particular scene was also shot in Antwerp (Handelsbeurs)
AC: So Hearts of Stone turns out to be a modern fairytale 📽…
Tom: That’s kind of how the story came to be…but I also wanted to talk about modern loneliness. A lot in the movie is also about cell phones and social media. How do we communicate with each other.
The more (digital) opportunities we have to communicate with each other the less we’re able to communicate with each other in real life.
Tom Van Avermaet
AC: You want to hold a mirror to society ?
Tom: That might be too big of a word. SomehowI wanted to explore that particular feeling/issue through this story. More about why it seems easier or more difficult to be able to talk to someone.
It’s like the character says in the film. “Is it easier to talk to someone on the other side of the world than to talk to someone who’s next to you?”
That’s quite of an interesting, modern kind of dynamic, which we’re still trying to explore with social media. The impact it has on our lives and how we live through our devices in a way.
And taking that or pushing it to the extreme.
When the statue comes to life in the movie, the viewer gets an idea of what’s it like to be a statue and how they might feel in general.
In one particular scene, when the real statue (Jessica Barden) actually comes to life, she starts looking for her friend (played by Noomi Rapace) almost immediately. The light and the aura around the statue character are striking.
“Directing like a visual artist 🖼️”
AC: You manage to create this kind of rarely seen universe. We are curious about your journey in cinematography.Without breaking the spell, could you tell us how you create these striking visual effects ?
Tom: As you know film is always a collaborative art so we try to work with good people. I was lucky to do that with all my films. With talented cinematographers who were able to understand the kind of idea or vision I wanted to come to life. From “visual vision” to post production.
You shoot the image in a certain style. We chose to shoot with anamorphic lenses. Lot’s of films are shot on spherical lenses. Anamorphic is more a wide angle format. It’s the first time I did that.
I love to have a wide angle in all my films. Sort of like a painting style…🖼️ I always feel that an image can convey a lot of emotions.
Tom Van Avermaet
Tom: I’ve always been drawn to cinematography which has a very painterly style. I’ll aways try to frame the shot (emoji painting) that way as well… kind of an artistic point of view on the image. I always feel that an image can convey a lot of emotions.
Tom: In all my films so far, I’ve worked with a different cinematographer. This time I worked with DOP Hans Bruch jr. Hearts Of Stone is our first collab.
Which is not like a deliberate choice but the people I work with are usually in high demand so…You have to pick when the actors are available, not when the cinematographers are. Unfortunately…🙂
But I was lucky to find a new collaborator on this. And still be able to create the same kind of feel I like to give through my other films🎥🎞️.
Talking to Director Tom at Victor Café near Bozar Brussels, (wide-angle-shot :))
But Daniel Verstappen is actually living International PIANO YEARS. Composing, playing and mesmerizing audiences all over the globe, his music reaches further by every concert of his Reconnection-worldtour.🎵🎶
Paying tribute to his beloved instrument, called «Soulmate🎹», Daniel keeps pushing boundaries. Partners-in-rhyme 🎶like fiddlefairies 🎻Marina Barskaya & Beth Giorgiou accompany him near some of the world’s most famous landmarks.
From Harpa Reykyavik last fall and the fairytale-like Rudolfinum in Prague just last March, Daniel is now headed to Sydney Opera House this early spring.
While beautiful but fragile scenery often plays a major part in music and video’s by Daniel and his team, the audience is always in for an amazing journey 🎶.
ArtistCongratz
Picture by Lauren Pletinckx
Many highlights in his career these past few years call for even more spectacular celebrations 🔛stage and 🔛line.
Stunning audio & video performances keep rhyming spectacular scenery with powerful pianoplay.
At a press conference earlier this year at Havenhuis Antwerp, Daniel presented a view behind the scenes & making of his latest video Ice on Fire, a co-production with Marina Barskaya and Amine Dukali (picture by Lauren Pletinckx)
Daniels host for the PRESS conference: Belgian singer and presenter Amaryllis Temmerman
Whether his notes 🎶shine underneath Swedish northern lights or above seismic activity in Iceland, Daniel always manages to share his soft spot for the environment through pianomusic. Watch Daniel’s latest video and track Ice on Fire 🔛YouTube⤵️
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Happy to host Daniels Documentary “Bridge between Cultures” in 2023, ArtistCongratz got a major scoop about some highlights already in the making back then.
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Relive some magic moments with ArtistCongratz interviewing a composer and pianist breaking through on stages worldwide today 🌎🎼
And now an ultimate moment -one of many still to come but unique none the less- has almost arrived! This Sunday April 7th a childhoodwish will come true for Daniel…playing far far away from his home country 🇧🇪🇦🇺, inside the iconic Sydney Operahouse, building new bridges down under 🙌
More major stops lay ahead after Australia and New Zealand…Ghent Handelsbeurs as a home run on May 26th and then off to Kennedy Center Washington and…🥁🎹Carnegie Hall New York 🗽🎹 in June.
Ready for my favourite prime time of the year? And hopefully yours as well🙃
Yay🙌 It’s…OSCARTIME🎬🎦🎥🎞️
Unfortunately no fellow Belgians nominated at this 96th edition of the Academy Awards. No worries ArtistCongratz has some foreign favourites to share with you. Amidst the Barbenheimer frenzy there is one particular underdog or outsider we’d like to cheer for. The nomination of “Past Lives” by Celine Song is so well deserved.
The catchy last name of the director couldn’t be more appropriate. She truly made a movie like a love song. 🎵
This is an absolute must see till The very End. The baseline of this gem? “InYun”, which means providence or fate in Korean.
Reality and imagination rule side by side in this heartbreaking, semi-autobiographical universal lovestory about what could have been for two childhood sweethearts. So many of these characters’ words and lines remain left unspoken in a way rarely seen before.
Fandango’s Oscarpredictions in CBSnews do not mention “Past Lives”, but ArtistCongratz does 🙂
While Magrittes masterpiece “l’Ami Intime” is being auctioned at Christies London for over 39 million Euro’s, awards in Frenchspeaking Belgian cinema bearing the iconic artists name are about to be distributed.
This shiny silver trophy called Magritte du Cinéma does the master honour, whom was passionate by motion pictures
Yes it’s that time of the year again!
Ensor, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild check✔️
Oscar’s just around the corner but first Les Magrittes du Cinéma 2024 are about to land into the studio’s or homes of a brandnew generation of talented Belgian filmmakers near Brussels this Saturday.
Augure, Baloji’s masterpiece on which we shed our bloggers light at Filmfest Ghent some posts ago is nominated several times in different categories.
But competition remains though. From “Dalva” for instance, this Cannes and FFO selected film by Emmanuelle Nicot about a twelve year old girl and her particular story ⤵️
Dalva is 12 years old but dresses, puts on makeup and lives like a woman. One evening, she is suddenly removed from her father's home. At first revolted and completely incomprehensible, she will meet Jayden, an educator, and Samia, a teenager with a strong character. A new life then seems to be offered to Dalva, that of a young girl of her age.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAtn9Ue3bg
Also nominated for best Flemish film: 🎬Wil by Tim Mielants based upon the book by Jeroen Olyslaegers, 🎬Débâcle by Veerle Baetens based upon the book “Het smelt” by Lize Spit, 🎬Luka (Jessica Woodworth) and last but not least 🎬Holly by Fien Troch, which we wrote about last fall.
Let’s shed some light on the latest project of a remarkable Swiss composer-storyteller based in Brussels. To ArtistCongratz he comes across far from scary… nevertheless the music we are talking about is called “Unheimlich” (scary in German but meaning much more) The third album written by Camille-Alban Spreng’s ODIL is the first one ft. Nina Kortekaas.
Triggered to know the story behind it, we had an inspiring chat with Camille 🎙️
Camille Alban Spreng: Unheimlich is a funny word actually. It doesn’t have any real translation, in English nor French. The basic idea of the album is trying to translate this word into music. It describes a feeling you might know and yet sometimes you might not be able to grasp it. Very strange.
AC: Something mysterious, unexplainable?
Camille: You could say that yes. Actually the term was invented by Sigmund Freud to describe the feeling when something comes from your subconsciousness. The right to your subconsciousness is triggered by something you see or hear. You know what is happening but at the same time it feels very strange…a little bit like a déjà vu or even a premonition.
AC: How do you start to translate something like this into music?
Camille: Fascinated by the work of the great American poet Allen Ginsberg from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, I wanted to bring a kind of hommage to his writing.✍️ His work also has this kind of strangeness, weirdness to it. And at the same time it’s deeply rooted into our daily life.
As I was writing 🎼, thesetwo ideas were living at the same time. There are actually a lot of links between the poetry of Ginsberg and this captivating word I wanted to translate into music. Our mission with Nina is to make all this more accessible through the songs.🎵
ArtistCongratz 🔝 selection surely includes “Daily Wonder”
Camille: That’s a funny one. It’s a ballad and a long mellow song. The only one on the album. The first idea of this song was to adapt a Ginsberg-poem but in the end I chose another direction and wrote the lyrics myself. The idea behind the song ? What if we could see everything in the world and witness the daily life of whom ever…or looking at the daily life of an animal or a plant for instance.🌱
AC: A mysterious animal actually features on the cover of your album…
Camille: That’s exactly what I wanted… somewhat unheimlich…🐾 …just so you know, it’s actually a dalmation;)
Want to witness some «🎶Unheimlich🎵» manoeuvres first hand? ODIL is playing live this Friday February 23 @Rataplan – Borgerhout/Antwerp https://www.rataplanvzw.be/e/odil
Halfway through Belgian music week ArtistCongratz would like to shed some more spotlight 🔛our national music scene. Once more lots of international potential is detected🎶🙌
After ESNS, the annual awardceremony in the Dutchspeaking part of Belgium is on our schedule. They are called The MIA’s, short for Music Industry Awards. This year they were held in Antwerp. Organized by vi.be (supporting our Belgian music scene💪🎼) and national channel VRT.
Join us for some captivating images of absolute highlights⤵️ during the show:
After last years “natural high” on top of the Atomium in Brussels by Oscar & The Wolf, meet this year’s showstarter: Gustaph, border breaking performer/creator in 2023. “Because of you” keeps inspiring audiences and artists, The song turns out as one of the most successful Belgian entries of the Eurovision Song Contest. (Picture by Jokko/VRT)Meet multi-talent Pommelien Thys, hot in Flanders because of her own unique artistic approach. Besides acting in different series, writing her own songs and performing them with panache, she also designs her own ecofriendly, conscious 🌱fashion 🔛 stage. She wins no less than five Music Industry Awards. CONGRATZ indeed Pommelien! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (pic by Jokko/VRT)Pommelien in concert 🎵 💃🩰The MIA “Breakthrough of 2023” goes to thankful “nominee-along-such-talented-fellow-artists” Aron Blommaert. Nicely presented by Miss Loena Hendrickx, European Champion, our national pride in Figureskating 🥇⛸️ (pic by Jokko/VRT)And this long braided multi-awarded beauty waltzes through lalaland and “Different Waters📀” by the name of Coely, our international hip hop pride. She was handed her prize by a famous Belgian goofy influencer called Average Rob⤵️🦸🏻(pic by Jokko/VRT)
Average Rob; not quite that average where Marvel’s characters are concerned
And this is Portlands Jenthe Pironet (best alternative 🎸) on the left, alongside Metejoor, also nominated in different categories🙌🎵🎶Jenthe also wins the award for the most heartwarming speech, dedicating his prize to medical science and care ❤️🩹 (pic by Jokko/VRT)Rapper winner Brihang definitely has a heart for all things going wrong in the world 🌎 ⬇️ “make music not war & cease all fires.” Hear his Peace pleas(e)🎶 ✌️(pic by Jokko/VRT)Another moving moment highlighting the ceremony. All time Flemish audience favourite Hugo Sigal dedicates his award for best (Flemish) popular to his late partner on and off stage Nicole, who sadly passed away too soon. (pic by Jokko/VRT)A lifetime of folky music is crowned🤴🏻🎶. With lyrics involving all our daily concerns like bread 🥖, spoons 🥄 and… WiFi of course. Bart Peeters gets his special award by another national icon Raymond van het Groenewoud. (pic by Jokko/VRT)CONGRATZ to all winners and nominees 🙌, check all of them 🔛 https://mias.vrt.be (pic by Jokko/VRT)
Kate Ryan, iconic artist who also defended our colours at Eurovision back in 2006 🇧🇪 remember her famous knee move while bringing her now-evergreen “Je t’adore”🎵♥️ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3JHnre0q3ow
And this far-from-freaky-fellow I interviewed more than a decade ago with his band Freaky Age. Cheers to Lenny Crabbé👋🥂, son of Luc Crabbé (Telstar/Betty Goes Green)
Meet Lenny number two :), also a very gifted musician
And this must be the most famous soundman🎤in Flanders. In the picture a lot but always his likable self. Whom everybody knows simply by his first name: Pascal.
And last but not least a selfie 🤳 with these multitalented ladies, pianist/designer Tylaine (in the middle) and singer Zohra🎶🎤How about a red wall instead of the regular carpet… Don’t you just love this quote from «The Voice»? An absolute work of art adorning this wall of the locker room @ music lab Trix Antwerp Thank you VRT, TRIX, Sportpalace & VI.Be for including ArtistCongratz 🎶
A whole 🆕 generation of artists keeps moving Europe to even newer levels. Witness their beauty first hand with us at the headquarters of emerging music talents, performing @ ESNS from all over the continent. On Thursday, Stadsschouwburg Groningen hosted the 20th edition of the Music Moves Europe Awards.
Blown away by this 2️⃣0️⃣th Anniversary-year’s winner, our pics and reels will tell you more than a thousand words. Don’t take ours for it… See for yourselves 🕶️
A Star is Born, Zaho de Zagazan Moves. In more ways than one… Quirky Zaho offers her audience a live and kicking therapy-on-and-off-stage. Want to quit smoking in a way you never attempted before? Or chase away sadness with captivating ballads, pumping beats and groovy lyrics? 🎤
En français s’il vous plait 🇫🇷🎶 (picture by yours truly)From Groovy to Dreamy…💭 ArtistCongratz meets Song Lines Magazine & Euronews 👋Nice to meet you Emma & Jonathan!Zaho receiving her grand jury award by…🥁🥁🥁…Mister Jools Holland, presented by musician Giulia Grispino (Sans Soucis)Zaho (full name: Zaho-Agathe Le Moniès de Sagazan), on stage she gives it her all and more…find out frontrow/first hand how her debut album « La Symphonie des Éclairs » saw the light of day. Inspired by her own sensitivity she manages to translate struggles into healing. Song by song, like one called « Tristesse »A « (non) smoking tribute »Zaho about a major discovery in life🎹Zaho’s thank you note to her partners in rhyme 🎶 🥁🎹
Many MME-awarded artists have preceded her into stardom… Cheers to her, Dua Lipa, Stromae, Meduza and many more. And by all means also to their iconic master of ceremony Jools Holland📻
Flash-back 🔛two decades of Music Moves Europe Awards which actually started as the Europe Border Breaking Awards in 2004. Happy Anniversary! Congratz!Congratz to all the nominees, blog you later 👋🎶✍️ discover all 🔛https://mmeawards.eu/en/
ESNS stories to be continued…Coming 🆙next: Waterbaby👸🏾🇸🇪, Ralphie Choo🎶🇪🇸, Arny Margret 🇮🇸…and of course more Booming artists from my native country 🇧🇪🙌 celebrating Belgian Music week!
Did she just stagedive right behind me? 💥🥳 Go go go, Zaho!👱🏻♀️
This January we report from 🆙 north at ESNS, in a snowy Groningen way high in the Netherlands 🇪🇺🇳🇱Flakes of new sounds are coming (y)our way.
ArtistCongratz was here once before. In 2020, right before Covid hit, we spotted different careers throughout Europe in motion here, like Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul from Belgium 🇧🇪, Perfect Son from Poland 🇵🇱, Meduza from Italy 🇮🇹, Karina from Finland🇫🇮 and many more.
We saw them first at ESNS:)
What better way to get you acquainted with 🆕 artists crossing our paths in 2024 than by images and sounds in all the right venues. From scintillating churches to trendy discotheques and theatres throughout a captivating city of music lovers. 🏙️🎶
Hosted by the most welcoming shiny happy helping people. Like Nikkie, Renée and Jet from ESNS. Or Myrthe & Bert, picture-perfect-personal native guides to our first concert this year.⤵️
Who needs Google Maps🗺️ when you run into the kindest personal native streetguides. Thank you Myrthe & Bert! 🧤👋
« Where do we begin? » A track signed Michael Karkousse also known from the dance formation Goose, lead us towards to our second venue. But before Simplon we made a stop @ Lutherchurch to witness some female empowerment by strings and vocals called Bluai from Belgium ⤵️
Bluai in concert @ Lutherse kerk 💒January 17th
Simply Simplon 🎶, up- and downstairs 🎤💥Michael Karkousse playing @ Simplon Main – January 17thPull some strings & Pump those beats
Caught 🆙 in the moment 🙌
Make sure to check our Stories 🔛socials for even more footage (tania_gh_ram) & ArtistCongratz 🔛TikTok 🎶
Quittersday today? Not where the Artists in our spotlight are concerned!
But first things first. ArtistCongratz wishes all of you fine readers a Happy healthy Creative 2024 with lots of fascinating and inspiring blogposts regarding talented people in different artforms.
Before we are headed North to spot & congratulate rising talent 🎵at ESNS in the Netherlands next week, what better place to kick off our year/Belgian presidency than in the very heart of Europe.
Did you know that the European Parliament regularly organises art-exhibitions in their office buildings?
Last Tuesday we rediscovered artworks of a unique artist we interviewed before in 2022. (Picture by Dorothy Declerck)
Place to be? The Spinelli building in Brussels, where MEP Beatrice Covassi hosted this remarkable exhibition with the characteristic narrative paintings of Antoine Waterkeyn⤵️ inspired by “antiheroes” throughout history.
Biblical inspiration with Samson Et DalilaA talk with MEP Beatrice Covassi & the artist Napoleon revisited by Antoine WaterkeynSpecial thanks to interior designer Dorothy for the spot 🔛picture(s)
Last Thursday we went anything but WRONG. Yet this is the title of a worldly Belgian popsong, now eternalized in the same Hall of Fame, we also blogged about last year, traditionally hosted by the seaboard 🌊🎵@Kursaal Ostend.
The concept: one of our popular radiostations unites young and established talent in a dazzling music celebration 🏆
Picture by Jook
Scroll to discover our amazing photo gallery of Belgian music legends🎤like this incredible productive composer and talented producer Steve Willaert🎹⤵️🎖
CongratZ are also in order for Novastar aka Joost Zweegers🎶, singer songwriter of “Wrong” among other evergreens, maybe yet to come in this very Hall of Fame⭐️
(Not) Novastarstruck 👩🎤 Striking poses with the enchanting 🎶Joost Zweegers🙌 Before Wrong, best served with few introduction according to the Singersongwriter, became an instant hit in 2000, the song remained hidden for many years. Luckily we can give it its well deserved evergreen status 23 years later.Besides for Steve and Joost, CongratZ retrostyle are also in order for Margriet Hermans, leading lady in more ways then one, as well as Wim Soutaer & his all time local classic “Allemaal” 📻📺🎙 Meet Steve Willaert, one of our most productive and versatile composers. 🎶🎖Want to witness his high soundwizard-level ? Go see the latest Studio 💯 musical RED STAR LINE 🚢 or watch this small appetizer of soundtracks ⤵️, played by himself 🎹Spotlights 🔛maestro Willaert Steve also delivers breathtaking songs in musicals like this one: Red Star Line And accompanies young talents like these two 👯♀️ the performance of CAPPAERT was a tribute to their maestroA moving tribute for Lifetime achievement awarded Margriet, by her lovely also very talented daughter Celien 🎤♥️Crowd picture perfect by Stef Keynen/VRT
It’s D-Day for Baloji and his first feature film Augure. In cinema’s across Belgium this November 15th.
Just last month, Augure was presented at Filmfest Ghent in the official selection, following Cannes in Spring.
Augure, being the French word for omen, tells the story of exactly that.
A small omen to the members of The Academy perhaps ? A good one.
Our filmmakers won’t budge. Once more presenting a fine opportunity to “Oscarize” a filmgem by a multitalented Belgian artist.
Omen To Be Continued
ArtistCongratz
Director Baloji and his main cast at the Belgian premiere of Augure/Omen at this years 50th edition of Filmfest Ghent
Four characters, considered witches or wizards by their families and communities, see their paths cross in a magical-realist Congo. Only through mutual aid and reconciliation can they escape the curse that rests on them. Cast: Lucie Debay, Marc Zinga, Eliane Umuhire
Time to focus on a worldsoundtrack-pioneer at this year’s golden Filmfest Ghent.
Already living multiple artistic lives simultaneously for quite some time, we look forward to many more decades where Dirk Brossé is conducting, composing, teaching and translating the magic of sound in film to audiences around the globe.
All of the above is combined by an extraordinary maestro and creator, communicating with the world through music🎶.
Our ultimate ambassador 🇧🇪of music in film 🎞 recently added another personal highlight to his hometown festival. On Saturday October 21st, the conductor of the World Soundtrack Awards was awarded himself for his filmscore of the acclaimed documentary “Our Nature”. 🎵
The award “Best original score for a Belgian production” was won by Dirk just one day after this interview.🙌
And the award went to…🎼 (foto Filmfest Ghent – (c) Jeroen Willems)
Care to know more about Dirk Brossé’s creation process, highlights & first encounters with Filmfest Ghent ? His vision on our rapidly changing world? Keep reading and re-check this post shortly for more updates and 🆕 footage📷.
Flashback to 1984
AC: Congratz on the nomination! You represent one of the creative minds with lots of history at Filmfest Ghent. Can you recall your first encounter with the festival ?
Dirk Brossé: We go back to 1984. As a young professional musician, already conducting and composing, I literally knocked on the door of Jacques Dubrulle, the director of the filmfestival at the time. I asked him if the festival already had an opening tune. Which wasn’t the case.
I said to him: Why don’t you ask a young composer to write one ? Good idea, he replied, inquiring “ Do you know someone? (smiles)”
To make a long story short, we recorded the ouverture, I already had written:). And it became the official tune of the festival for many years. Since the beginning of the World Soundtrack Awards, we have a new tune, written by Elmer Bernstein, who gave it as a present to the festival.
Thanks to the focus on filmmusic, our theme became the impact of music on film.
Since that particular day, Filmfest Ghent evolved to one of the most important filmfestivals in the world.
Dirk Brossé
This talk between creators in music (Female singer-songwriter and musician Eiko Ishibashi) and film (screenwriter and director Ryusuke Hamaguchi) took place at Kinepolis Ghent last October 20th. Hamaguchi received the Joseph Plateau Honorary award afterwards
Rewriting the rules of cinema 🎵🎞
AC: This year, the impact of music in film goes crescendo, celebrating half a century of Filmfest Ghent with the project 25 x 2, where filmdirectors are inspired by composers.
Dirk Brossé: Exactly. To celebrate this special anniversary we wanted to do something unconventional. So we decided to ignore mainstream approaches many companies adopt, often celebrating their anniversaries in the same way.
As a cultural organisation, we were seeing things from a different angle. And our artistic director Wim De Witte came up with this great idea💡
“To ask 25 composers to write a score, and 25 filmmakers to make a film starting from the music.”
AC: ArtistCongratz already discovered the work of Juanita Onzaga, who also realizes the first VR experience at Filmfest Ghent.
Dirk Brossé: Amazing isn’t it, along with 25×2 this can pave the way for future projects.
The shortfilms, or should we say scores, can be viewed and listened to on line. They will also be projected in SMAK (Citymuseum of Actual Art in Ghent)
More iconic moments 🫶
AC: So here we are, 5️⃣0️⃣ years of awesome cinema @ Filmfest Ghent. Could you share your absolute highlights from past decades?
There are so many magnificent moments to cherish. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work alongside great artists, early on.
Dirk Brossé
Those very first years, I remember conducting part of a concert, with icons like Elmer Bernstein and Georges Delerue. Later also with Angelo Badalamenti, a charming man and a great composer. We all know him because of Twin Peaks, but he wrote so much more beautiful filmmusic. (Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive…)
Another iconic moment was when we started the WSA in October 2000. Particularly the opening concert with the Brussels Philharmonic 🎵and the music by Hans Zimmer. The lifetime achievement had been given to him by Morgan Freeman. For Hans Zimmer it was the very first concert, conducting his own score, so you can imagin how memorabel this really was…We invited him back several times over the years. He is also a very gifted producer.
This was the starting point of the World Soundtrack Academy as well as The Awards. In those days we could not have imagined that 25 years later it would become a world wide organization with hundreds of members worldwide 🌎
Like the legendary Ryuichi Sakamoto, (The last Emperor, Little Buddha, The Revenant…) who was here just a few years ago. Unfortunately he passed away.
I also very much enjoyed having the Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi at the WSA. Working with amazing Chinese and Japanese directors, he wrote the music for 2046and House of flying daggers (2004). I consider his guest appearance as a personal highlight. He brought a complete new sound to the festival. The sound of Asia joined European, British and American films.
Dirk Brossé
Dirk Brossé: Another absolute highlight was when we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the WSA. In 2010 we invited 10 composers and played their music. All of them came to Ghent.
AC: Cinema with Asian influences keeps on booming. ArtistCongratz had the opportunity to discover Oscar contender “Past Lives” by the South Korean-Canadian director Celine Song. Does a busy conductor like you get the opportunity to see gems like these at the festival?
Dirk Brossé: Being part of the festivalfamily this is a bit of a frustration. With the preparation of the concert; meetings and rehearsals, unfortunately few time is left to go see the movies. Which is a shame, I know. Because I LOVE cinema and I WOULD like to see all those beautiful titles, but you can’t have it all…
AC: Another rather 🆕 element is the increased attention for music in games this edition…
Dirk Brossé: We also have an advisory board, with important representatives of the industry; managers, producers, people from ASCAP, BMI (author & composer-societies in the US) etc.
They encouraged us to do a game music concert.Which isn’t obvious. This is a whole new world for us. Videogames hold a completely different genre, with different music, different composers.While film music has to take into account the story and the dialogues among other things, games seem to leave more freedom to the composer. As far as I experienced, I feel like there is more flow.
“A.I. Is In The House”
AC: A hot topic concerning us all we would like to know your opinion about is how the rise of artificial intelligence will relate to our (creative) worldin the future. Should we fear or endear A.I. ?
Dirk Brossé: It’s another technical revolution. We have had many. When we look at the history of cinema, the first amazing innovation and maybe the most important one was that they brought sound to thefilm in the early thirties. It changed the industry completely.
AC: But manmade none the less…
Dirk Brossé: True, but I think in general, not only in film or art but in our daily life, Artificial Intelligence is there. We cannot ignore it anymore. The question is: will it take over at some point?
I really believe that in the long run, maybe hundreds of years from now, man will have to leave the planet. Flash forward to the implosion of Earth: of course it won’t happen overnight but remember the dinosaurs also disappeared over a period of time…
Now we still are human beings and we act and think like human beings. But A.I. is not just around the corner anymore. It’s in the house.
AC: But since “A.I.” is “inspired” by what’s manmade, how to safeguard creator’s rights beyond our lifetime?
Dirk Brossé: This is a big thing indeed. All of us, in all sectors and all disciplines of art we have to think about it.
But A.I. is part of the evolution of mankind. Of course I can’t say that I’m thrilled by the idea that tomorrow a director will ask his computer to write a score instead of a composer. That would make me unhappy but at the same time a lot of things have disappeared over the course of our history. Some of us are already bionic. Wanting to evolve is part of our nature…
AC: Which brings us right back where we want to be: your winning score 🫶🌳🍀🍁🎼
The sound of Our Nature
AC: Let’s hope music and our cultural legacy will remain🤞
Dirk Brossé: Of course:)
AC: On somewhat shorter notice;), tell us about your future projects and the natural manmade creation process of your winning score:)🎶🍃🍀
Dirk Brossé: It was created during COVID. What is so special about this project is that I wrote the music without having seen the film.I just saw some rushes of the birds and few footage. The episodes are a connection of small stories. When I was asked to compose the score, they were still filming.
Actually I started composing around some keyboards 🎹, like procreation, the beauty of nature. But also the danger…the survival of the fittest; animals literally having to kill in order to survive…
The great advantage of this collaboration was that once the music was recorded they cut the picture to the music.
Dirk Brossé about the making of “Our Nature”
At some point I had to develop a language, which I did. But due to different directors who came and went in the process, guidelines kept changing… eventually leading us to this first more abstract approach.
AC: That must have been quite stressful, but with great results.
Dirk Brossé: Indeed, in the end it’s always the result that counts. Technically, to me it was important to be able to cut or bring back in bits of the music rather easily…
AC: AC is particularly moved by how you make the birdsounds merge within the music…(The Great Trek🎶🦅)
Dirk Brossé: Yes, the sounds of the birds are actually part of the music. The music always has a flow. How to say this, I like to leave room for imagination and bring some kind of peace into people’s minds, to make them enjoy the view…
AC: and the sound 💭🎵
Thank you Maestro🎼 For the inspiring talk👩🏻💻& sound 🎼 CongratZ again ! 🙌💐
As curator of the starting point of the Belgian European presidency in 2024, Dirk is preparing this major music event which also will be broadcasted on January 6th. Looking forward to all this major international homegrown talent shining on stage in the heart of Europe. Mechelen-Malines (Belgium) for the occasion. 🫶🇪🇺
Half a century of iconic festivalmoments in international cinema on Belgian soil. This calls for a special celebration. ArtistCongratz’ cue to make Filmfest Ghent’s image- and soundwizards shine even more this year✨
2023 will enter history as the 50th edition opened by Holly, selected in Venice just last September, and the fifth feature film, directed by Fien Troch.
Once again this Belgian talent makes us watch more closely into the sometimes harsh world youngsters have to deal with.
From 22 November Holly will play in cinemas in Belgium
Be sure not to miss our next post, zooming in on the creative process of Fien and her crew/cast as well as the amazing course of the film so far.
But first we’d like to focus on two other impressive productions.
One is likely to become Oscarnominated in 2024, called “Past Lives”, by Celine Song. This story about childhood sweethearts frozen in time will touch many (broken) hearts.
The other is the first VR experience at Filmfest Ghent. “Floating with spirits” will submerge you into a universe in and out of this world. Created by the Colombian-Belgian director Juanita Onzaga, featuring…her audience.
By placing the viewer in the middle of her film, he becomes part of it.
While she whispers the story as if she doesn’t want to bother the spirits, she makes them dance around, one with nature.
“Floating with Spirits” is an absolute must-experience
Augustijn Vermandere. His name sounds like a clock in Flanders.
With his father being one of our most treasured troubadours, Willems youngest son is making his own way quite successfully as a musician and singersongwriter.
ArtistCongratz is keen to find out more about his latest album Vier, which is West Flemish dialect for “Fire” as well as Dutch for “Celebrate” and “Four”.
So Vier is like Celebrating Four times with Fire!
Augustijn presenting his latest album live at De Grote Post in Ostend
AC: Congratz on your new album Augustijn! Nice opportunity to compare West Flemish and English with you, being a native singer songwriter.
Augustijn: Thanks! Actually I think there are similarities between the two. Being close to England might have something to do with it. Probably also our history of always tending to adapt ourselves. Belgians in general, West Flemings even more.
So it seems rather logic that foreign words pop up in our dialects. Mostly in spoken language.
I actually read that the whole coastal area of Europe has more English sounding words in their vocabulary than the inland area does. So I guess we must be connected somehow.
How do you come across this “phenomenon” while writing lyrics ?
On my new album, there’s this song called Bucketlist. An English word but often used here as well. Searching for a West Flemish “translation”, there seemed to be no good alternative.
I realised that “bucket list” actually sounds really Flemish. So I used it.
AC: How about Bulldozer 🎶
Augustijn: (laughs) indeed, another English word incorporated in Belgium. And Vier…
Nice talk in Augustijn’s hometown Ostend
AC: Any plans to cross our borders?
Augustijn: It’s not really my ambition but you never know… Icelanders also have a very strange sounding language practically no one else understands. But no one seems to mind that in the rest of Europe. People like it eventhough no one understands. Why should West Flemish be any different (laughs).
Augustijn rocks 🎸🥁
AC: The song Steenkerke on Vier bathes in pure nostalgia…
Augustijn: A little village, there’s nothing there but still it’s my whole world. At least it used to be as a kid. This is a nostalgic song sung by my five year old self about the place I grew up in. Near historic monuments that go back to World War I. Like a military cemetery, where both English en Belgian soldiers are buried. This was one of our favourite places where we used to play a lot. There’s this beautiful lawn. Always very quiet…
AC: You also sing about catching sticklebacks in the canal with a “seule”. And in your album’s artwork we can actually see pictures of you as a toddler. Were you already into music back then?
Augustijn: They bought me a violin when I was four years old but I don’t recall playing it (laughs). But music was always present in the house in many forms with instruments all around. I started by some piano and guitar…
By the way a “seule” is actually a bucket where we would collect the fish in.
AC: Great, one more West-Flemish word learnt, to check off on our… bucket-list.
🎵🎶🔥4️⃣🥳 open call; find out which song refers to epic lyrics written by Augustijn’s father Willem 🛣
During but also in between interviews ArtistCongratz likes to share star quality in all forms, shapes and sizes. From stages with views to stadiums to queue.
Let’s focus on who your editor saw shining these past few weeks: From gloring young new talent to poetic mega-stars in mediastorms.
King Baudoin Stadium 🏟 August 4th, 2023; Rammstein lands along with piano duo Abélard 🎹 playing their own Sonne-version ☀️🌞see video 2 👇Abelard introducing Rammsteins Sonne by AbelardWhat are the odds? On my way to join my friends in the audience, coming across this member of an Estonian rockband, seeking promotion 🎶✍️Www.californiacondormusic.comtania_gh_ram 🎶mstein-Kick off The King Baudoin-stadium turns into a smokey music factory
But before this hard core poetry from Germany we witnessed somewhat softer kinds in Ostend at the annual coastfestival Theater Aan Zee 🌊 🎭🎵
Helena Casella in concert at “Theater Aan Zee 2023” in Cafékoer Ostend Funky soul by Helena Casella🎤⬇️⤵️
Theater Aan Zee is like a cross road where shores, music & theatre meet through all kinds of art. How about this universal tale that tells the moving story of… human sheep in between worlds.⤵️
The Sheep Song, a mustsee cross over play produced by Toneelhuis & FC-Bergman, a Belgian company which received a Silver Lion at Venice Biennale just last June https://www.toneelhuis.be/en/⤵️Or this production 4.48 by The Roovers outside at sunset
3’Ain! عينWhere west joins east in sea(s) of stories. Narrated by a jazztrio on point.
(Re)discover our interviewee Piet Maris (accordion), founder of Jaune Toujours and 3’Ain, surrounded by his fellow-bandmembers Otto Kint (double bass) and Yamen Martini (trumpet) -picture by Diana Takcsova-
“Reversed three”
AC: Very important first question! Inspired by the eighteenth letter of the arabic alphabet, how do you pronounce the name of your newest band ? عين Because reportedly for western people it seems almost impossible to pronounce…
Piet: (laughs) Actually that’s what Wikipedia says, it’s more of a story than a reality. I played in a trio before with a Syrian cello player. Really eager to do something similar, I wanted to continue in a trio formula.Searching for a name, I really wanted it to refer to us as a trio and to our cultural bagage. Including our middle eastern influences through Yamen.
So I came up with this character as a reversed three, which is actually some sort of sign: عين
In Arabic chat and sms conversation , the AIN is often represented by a 3, sometimes explicitly mentioned as 3ain. So here comes in this 3 AIN.
Piet Maris
That was a good starting point for me. You should pronounce it a bit in the back of the throat.Ch ain, Three like in English, ein like in German if you want…:)
AC: Makes you wonder how does that go when announced on stage?
Piet: They always ask the question, how do we pronounce it? Actually it’s not so hard but it creates a story indeed. Although I wasn’t aware of that in the very beginning.
“Instant click”
AC: You met Yamen while making music for a play?
Piet: We actually met amidst the asylum crisis of 2016. Yamen had arrived in Belgium earlier but at some sort of manifestation, making a solidarity demo for refugees, we were kind of put together as musicians. “You will blend well” they said. Luckily we actually did;).
We instantly clicked. From that moment on, I started to involve him in my on going projects. Like this very special one in Mortsel. Initiated by Caroline Rottier. She’s a theatre maker, known for her inclusive work. In which she also involves people with disabilities. She asked me to do the music for this piece called “Move”. About people on the move. A very nice play and open project, offering a lot of artistic freedom.
We rehearsed with the actors. At first just me as a musician, to get the inspiration. At a certain point I pulled in Yamen, and the other cello-player to collaborate. This was our first creation together.
“Scrambled Ensor”
AC: Sounds really cool indeed. But so does your working space where 3’Ain gets inspired by all kinds of boats passing by… 🛥🚢⛴🛳
Piet: We have this huge privilege to be able to rehearse in the port of Ostend, in the quarters of a social artistic work place called O666, at the site of Fort Napoleon. (Picture by Diana Takacsova)
Being one of the very few places over there with a very ancient character to it, quite the contrast with all those posh new built projects in the neighbourhood.
It has a recording studio, which we use as a rehearsing room. It happens to have a big window with a magnificent view to the boats passing by.
Like the BZ189🎶🛥, spotted while looking outside pretty randomly: which-boat-is-here? Songs, titles and tracks are born here. This is where our first EP was made. Clearly 🙂
Piet: Sea of Stories, our recent album, still contains references to the sea but less literally. For instance, there is a song called: Scrambled Ensor.
AC: Great title.
Piet: Actually we didn’t invent it ourselves. During a livestream in confinement, playing some sort of première of the song, we asked our virtual audience to come up with a title.
Everyone had a strong souvenir of the period you weren’t allowed to go the seaside etc. Possibly they were inspired by former works of us. Explaining why the Ostend-reference is still there.
Piet Maris
“Exchange between cultures”
AC: 3’Ain tends to reach a large audience ?
Piet: I also find it very charming to see a punkrock band in concert. They tend to reach a more specific audience. But a lot of music is broading up these days. I like to keep the music accessible in all my projects. Always seeking common ground. For 3‘Ain, in different fields of western music, going in dialogue with middle eastern traditions.
Nor me, nor the bass player Otto, are very familiar with all those traditions. In that way Yamen is facilitating our exchange between cultures.
Our song “Meeting Issues” represents his feeling of being “wired”, how hard it is missing his family all over the world…
ArtistCongratz’ cue to make y’all experience this narrative sound of 3’Ain in even more intriguing titles like Tango Soleil du Nord🎶 Listen below 🤳👇
Want to experience Sea of Stories by 3’Ain live? Go see this trio in concert coming 🔜 all over Belgium⬇️
September 9th: Sjruur, Maaseik
October 24th: Entr (De Centrale), Gent
January 14th: Jazzy Sunday (Leietheater), Deinze
January 19th: Cinéma Le Parc (Les Grignoux), Luik (Liège)
Have a field day at ArtistCongratz ! Inside a legendary studio.
Did you know that one of our most sollicited Belgian record studio’s is owned and directed by Patrick Hamilton in the lovely town of Bruges? Join us following heartbeats of music industry, blogging and vlogging on holy production-ground.
Patrick in his studio (picture by Jan Dharthet)
Over the years (nineties and nillies), Patricks studio became the center of attention for a lot of national artists. That is still very much the case to this day.
But the bigger picture lay ahead. Patricks ability and talent to also lift up music talent worldwide did not go unnoticed.
His international career as a producer took off about a decade ago.
Patrick: I had a manager in Nashville. It kind of bothered him that I was never available because of numerous national projects. But once I came across some major international A & R-folks on a yacht in the south of France, I quickly left my Flemish way of thinking. The time had come to leave my comfort zone.
The first international artist I came across was Mark Masri. When he was nominated the Juno Award for Best album in Canada, Universal England seemed interested. I thought they were signing the artist I produced, but actually it was me who ended up working with one of the biggest names in the UK.
Considered an almost unreachable star, Katherine Jenkins would become one of the first to perform the new anthem “God save the King”. So you can imagine I was honoured to be able to work with her.
Working with Katherine
I studied classical music at the conservatory in Ghent, so technically I was able to do arrangements for big orchestra. Although I had never done it before, I felt I could do it.
Honoured as “Officer of the British Empire” Katherine Jenkins is a neo classic cross-over singer, who’s style can be compared to Andrea Bocelli’s. She has her own television program on BBC, called “Songs of Praise”.
In December Patrick was invited to perform with her, his quatre mains-compagnon Nel Swerts & Sir Cliff Richard in the Royal Albert Hall in London.
With his « 4-mains-companion » Nel Swerts 🎹🎹
AC: How often are you in your studio? Patrick: During COVID, I was here all the time. Just a few days before the lockdown, I had finished an album with Katherine. I needed a vacation because of the hard work but it turned out to be a holiday of two years. Literally locked into my studio, I could have layed down and got depressed. But that’s not really my nature. So I took it as an opportunity.
There was nothing else to do. I started with some solo piano music.
AC: Some extra time as a gift for your inspiration and development as a songwriter?
Patrick: I think it was a twist of fate. Into a new world. Suddenly I found myself to be an artist you can find on Spotify. Before I was a producer. You could find a lot of my music but not my name. That has changed during Corona.
AC: Should a producer not be considered as an artist as well?Patrick: Combining producing and songwriting opens the door to all kinds of connections.
But you are right, the producer is definitely part of the artistic process of an artist. How the songs are born, how you’re colouring them as a producer, is like picturing a painting.
You have all the ingredients but then you have to combine them in all the right ways. There are so many different ones to approach a production. You might want it to sound big, like music played in a hall. Or very intimate in a small room. Both require very different approaches.
Overall mine is to follow your guts. Trying to make the best production possible. That’s how I say see it.
AC: Pushing all the right buttons you showed us on the tour trough your studio. (Soon to be published on our TikTok-account)
Patrick is quite happy working in the shades. Iworked with so many famous people that can’t walk on the streets. Recognition has two meanings. You can get bothered that people recognise your face. Them being aware of your work is so much more important.
But once connected with music-executives like Martin Dodd and Ricardo Fernandez, working with Britney Spears and The Back Street Boys among others, Patricks career as a songwriter and producer took an international turn. Holding over 27 million streams (on Spotify only) of his songs combined, this goes way beyond his expectations. Patrick: I was hoping to get one million streams one day (laughs).
Do you feel you have developed your own trade mart as a producer?
Patrick: I hope so, as I mentioned: You can’t put me in one basket. Hopping from genre to genre. But some people recognise kind of a trade mart in my productions. That’s a huge compliment.
Patrick celebrated his 60th birthday with a special concert in Bruges.
And a stunning biography (In Dutch), full of tales like these.
Belgium’s lucky number 7’s now have three countries to pick from for their next vacation(s). Or go conquer stages of the nations who granted us 12 points.
Doing a marvellous job on the iconic one in Liverpool. Sacred ground for ever found. Congratz Gustaph & Cie, you did great! The song Because of You will go full circle.
Seems we are headed to even holier Eurovision ground next year.
Thanks to Loreen and her lyrical Tattoo 🎵. Leaving Finland runner up. Cha cha cha cha cha cha…🎵catchy though Käärija!🇫🇮
The lady with the toughest nails and shortest aria’s manages to break through ceilings allright. The “staged” and a glass one, being the first woman to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. In 2012, she felt « Euphoria » for the first time in Baku, Azerbedjan.
ₜₐₜₜₒₒ ₜᵣᵢᵤₘₚₕ, ᵥᵢₙₜₐgₑ ₘₑₑₜₛ fᵤₜᵤᵣₑ
2024 celebrates the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s winning “Waterloo”, which is in…Belgium 🇧🇪
Let’s try again and go full circle. Maybe with “a mighty masked singer”👸🏼who won ESC for us 37 years ago. Since her 1986-triumph, an adorable teenager with a pink bow and a life-loving Eurosong has transformed into a « Queen »
How about it Sandra, dear? Loreen, Johnny and…you ?🎀
ArtistCongratZ
Throwback to 1986🎤Sandra Kim in the Norwegian Town of Bergen.
Tonight around midnight lies the moment of truth. Will our Gustaph conquer that so wanted Eurovision Trophy?
37 years after Sandra Kim and her « J’aime La Vie », a EURO-Song equally vibrant deserves to win.
ArtistCongratz could name numerous reasons why your 12 points should go to Belgium but the most important ones are the message of this ultimate Eurovision song 🎵 and the amazing track record of the performing songwriter and producer Stef Caers aka Gustaph. Hardly eleven years old he had already written 30 songs.
In 2000, I got the chance to interview this multi talent for the very first time for Sabam-magazine. And already there seemed to be something about him that “oracled” us to this day. 23 years later he just might help Belgium to that second victory in Eurovision history.
Throwback Gustaph aka Stef, to 2000, pic by M. Drofmans, still looking as awesome
But first things first, since we are not allowed to vote for our own country here’s ArtistCongratz yearly attempt to predict🔮 which country takes that beautiful crystal trophy home.
Here’s AC’s top 5️⃣
1. Belgium 🇧🇪 (sorry, not sorry;)
2. France 🇫🇷
3. Austria 🇦🇹
4. Sweden 🇸🇪
5. Poland 🇵🇱
OR 😉
1) Belgium 🇧🇪
2) Finland 🇫🇮 & Australia 🇦🇺 in ex aequo
3) Sweden 🇸🇪 & Israel 🇮🇱 ex aequo
4) Poland 🇵🇱
5) France 🇫🇷
But World, by all means do save all your 12 points for number 1️⃣6️⃣🇧🇪!!!
Thank you🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸, Grazie🇮🇹Gracias🇪🇸, Obrigado 🇵🇹çox sağ ol🇦🇲, ευχαριστώ 🇬🇷, Teşekkürler🇹🇷, Tack🇸🇪, tak skal du have 🇩🇰, Kiitos 🇫🇮, Takk skal du ha 🇳🇴, Danke 🇩🇪, շնորհակալություն🇦🇲, Дякую 🇺🇦, Dank U Noorderburen 🇳🇱, Merci La Grande Franceeeee 🎵🇫🇷!!!
Because of youhou 🎵🎵🇧🇪
These Fab Four + one fabulous Vogue-dancer, nicely pictured by Charel Cambré. He is one of our most famous Belgian cartoonists but he’s also Mister Chantal Kashala, the lady in between her backing vocalist colleagues Monique Harcum and Sandrine Vanhandenhoven
Yep, it’s that time of the year again. Love it or leave it but by all means live it if you like !
Europe, Australia, even parts of Asia and the Middle East manage to unite in music every year around mid May. 2023 has all eyes and ears 🔛Liverpool ▶️🎵
So go for it contestants 🎵
BUT… ArtistCongratz has one special request⤵️
EUROPE, do save tonight’s votes for a very special candidate 🇧🇪.
Here are 7 undeniable reasons why you should vote Belgium into the finals TONIGHT⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
1. BECAUSE OF the irresistible, inspirational, beyond professional ARTIST Gustaph aka Stef Caers, who worked his way from back to front slowly but surely, so well deserved 🎤🎼💪✍️
2. BECAUSE OF Gustaphs undeniable taste in fashion🕺💃. #waltervanbeirendonck
3. BECAUSE OF the spot-on-lyrics of the sing-a-long to become evergreen, written by Gustaph himself and multi-talented artist Jaouad Alloul
4. BECAUSE OF the undeniable starquality of ECS’s most quirky “back-to-front-vocals” Monique Harcum, Chantal Kashala, Sandrine Van Handenhoven and Gustaph of course
5. BECAUSE Belgium deserves MORE Eurosong kings and queens along Sandra Kim, who won 37(!) years ago
6. BECAUSE of the great story behind the scenes, telling all of us that it’s never too late for break through!
7. BECAUSE OF (all of) YOU!!!
From ArtistCongratz to Gustaph & his entire dreamteam: go go go and get qualified for this Saturday’s finals ! Your blog host, Gustaph style xxx
In January, Congratz were in order for a female winner of a prestigious Belgian Award for best musician.
Attend a Brutus-concert and you’ll instantly experience why this honour fell to their drummer and vocalist Stefanie Mannaerts. Equally well deserved by Peter Mulders and Stijn Van Hoegaerden, who’s roaring bass & guitars complete the magical Brutus-sound. Post hardcore at its finest.
ArtistCongratz had a chat with all three band-members. Just returned from France, they landed back home on March 25th, in the colourful town of Bruges. Where Cactus Club would become another highlight of their latest tour through Europe.
Enjoy a close up of a close band and their new album, called “Unison Life”, which was presented in Ancienne Belgique late last year.
Brutus, Picture by Eva Vlonk
AC: I interviewed you guys once before, the early Brutus-years, way back in 2014. Would or could you have imagined then that Brutus would be playing sold out concerts worldwide?
Stefanie: You dream about it when you’re sixteen. And you hope that’s what you’re going to do. But you never think it will actually happen.
AC: Did you notice some kind of turning point along the way?
Stefanie: I realized something when we did a European tour when the venues went from twentyfive people to sometimes seven-hundred. But we didn’t wake up one day, feeling bigger than yesterday.
Tourmanagement takes you to all the right spots…
Stefanie: The booker we work with, has been around since 2016. We really work well together. I think he understands who we are and we understand his vision.
Left to right: Stijn, Stefanie & Peter, pic by Eva Vlonk
AC: Do you feel you have been able to maintain enough artistic freedom?
Stefanie: With everyone we work, to be honest. I think if somebody would come and say, “you can never do this again”, we would reply: “OK, but you won’t ever do THIS again.” (laughs)
It’s ok, I get that sometimes it’s about strategy, but WE are all about the music. If someone would try to talk us into another course we would have question marks.
AC: Tell us about Unison Life, how it came to life, creating in confinement.
Peter: The previous album (Burst– 2018) was written during touring. But due to Covid, we had much more time for this one. We had no idea when the album would come out or when we would be touring again…
Stijn: That definitely had an impact on how the songs were written. We had the time, so we also took it as an opportunity to go more in depth, from song to song. If we finished a track, we came to a certain point where we asked ourselves: “Is there anything else we can do ? Can we try different stuff? So we took it a lot further and went deeper for each and every song.
AC: Playing such a new song for the first time, must feel amazing…
Stijn: When a song comes to life, that’s one of the most beautiful things in the world indeed. Especially if you can do this with two people that you love and trust, and like to play music with. For me that’s like… every time we write songs. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but when it works it feels amazing.
AC: Do you have some kind of indicator which songs will be spot on?
Stijn: Maybe not to the outside world, but for us yes. There have been a couple of songs, written in the past, where we instantly felt the right kind of energy in the room.
AC: ArtistCongratz has a soft spot for Sugar Dragon.
Stefanie: Sugar Dragon came to life when we were on tour a lot. I had some troubles with my boyfriend but he was not the problem. So it’s a bit of a tribute to him. But Peter and Stijn could also relate to the song. Because we all went through the same thing. They didn’t have troubles with their girlfriends but the missing part, being away and longing for somebody makes it a direct ode to a loved one. So that’s what Sugar Dragon is all about. Plus it’s literally the translation of a nickname that my boyfriend has in Dutch. (ed. note Stephanies boyfriend is Stake-drummer Joris Casier, his band will be playing live in Cactus Bruges on April 15th)
(Suikerdraak? 😉Sugardragon comes from your previous album but we also want to know what triggered the new one.
Stefanie: Referring to your previous question, how to feel you wrote something special. We felt it with “What have we done?” It’s not that it’s better than other songs. It’s just all about the right time, the right notes, the right words. It came to life unforced. It’s the same as why some days are more special than others in life. You don’t know, maybe it’s because you met somebody or the sun was shining…It came from some genuine place…How it’s like to be in a band.
“War”, another Brutus-Song was used in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege video game:
Peter: The producer of the game happened to be a fan. So we made it happen.
AC: Last Summer Brutus was invited as support act for none other than…the Foo Fighters, but unfortunately their drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away, so it was cancelled. But it probably won’t be long before you will get another invitation of that kind?
Stefanie: We will be waiting by the phone (laughs)
On top of Brutus’ wishlist:
“Definitely make some more records as a band”
“To do a tour with a cool band or a recording session or an EP with someone completely different”
“Other stuff would be nice but we will always prioritise records”
“Making more songs, better songs, songs that touch people, songs that people can relate to”
“Write music, play a lot, as much as possible”
AC: There aren’t many female singing drummers. The only ones we could come up with were Karen Carpenter and Sheila E.
Stephanie: There are The Corrs as well, but you will find a lot of drumming backing vocals.
The only reason I’m singing now is because Stijn bought me a microphone. (laughs)
AC: If you hadn’t done that, we would have missed this magical Brutus-combination.
Stijn: I would have found another way to make Stefanie sing…Somebody asked me lately after the show: Why didn’t YOU start singing? Then we would not be having this conversation. (laughs)
Every song we make, always involves the three of us.
Stefanie Mannaerts
It always contains something of each and everyone of us. Those different kinds of influences make it fun. We try to put a lot of things into one song.
Want to catch Brutus live? In May they will also be touring in the U.S.
Picture Eva Vlonk
Closer to home, they can also be found in the line ups of legendary festivals as Pinkpop in The Netherlands. This Sunday they will be playing at Paaspop at Schijndel, also in The Netherlands.
Want to catch them in their homecountry Belgium, before they are headed to the US? They play at Durbuy Rock Festival on May the 13th.
AC: We came across another friendly band in the past, Slow Crush is also very successfulinternationally…
Stijn: Oh yes we know them very well actually… we follow each other.
AC: They are also famous for inventing their very own unique fuzz-pedal called Glow-Fuzz.
Peter: Yes indeed, it’s very cool. We want to do that too 🎵
Stijn: Actually I expect Jelle (Slow Crush guitar player) to send us one… (laughs)
Ed. Note: Fuzz pedals are a popular type of guitar effects pedal that use transistor technology to produce a distorted, fuzzy sound.) Read more about it in our previous blogpost ⤵️,
Slow Crush will also be playing in Bruges Cactus club on July 7th.
Spring has arrived ! ArtistCongratz’ cue to treat you to some early summer vibes with a Latin-Belgian twist 🇪🇸🇧🇪
This band juggles its way to the hearts of people AND their dancing shoes. 🕺
To captivate a crowd is right up the alley of five stagelovers, who call themselves “Rumbaristas”. Their brandnew album, just a few weeks old, is called “Malabares”, which is Spanish for jugglers.
ArtistCongratz had an inspiring chat with bandmembers Willy Fuego and Roel Poriau at AB-club, right after Rumbaristas swept the audience of their feet in a swirling showcase 🎶🎺🥁🎤
AC: Congratz on the new album! How does it feel to finally share your songs with the world?
Roel: It feels great. The last three years, we put a lot of work and effort in it. During the Covid era, we have been working a long time on all the new songs.
AC: Was it like a benefit of confinement, having more freedom and time to write?
Roel: In a way yes but because we really are a live band, we also missed playing in front of a live audience. Being able to do that now, along with all the good vibes and people dancing to the songs is really a nice reward for all the work on Malabares.
Back then, we had some 20 to 30 tracks ready to record but when we sat together with our producer, some of the tracks turned out to be too dark. Covered in Covid darkness, let’s say.We really want to keep a balance between happy and slightly darker songs. Tonight was all about party though. People dancing on our music is the greatest reward.
RUMBARISTAS 🎶🎼
AC: Playing the songs for the very first time, must be special indeed
Roel: There were a few concerts before this one. Two weeks ago we played in Granada and soon we will also be playing again in Belgium, Serbia and Bulgaria. Probably Holland too…
AC: Maybe some colourful festivals as well, like TAZ or Dranouter…
Roel: By all means, we have a few big ones on our wishlist.Couleur Café and Sfinx are some of the best world music festivals.Hungary’s sziget fesztivál is also very nice.Dranouter, we played before, but we would like to return. Theater Aan Zee? Good idea, this could also be a match with Rumbaristas.
AC: Back to Malabares, which means juggling…With words? Music, genres, each other? (Laughs) Where did the idea come from?
Willy: In Spain the people use the word juggle when they struggle to keep on going. When they cope, the people do “malabares”.
Roel: We also shot an extraordinary video, made by Willy and Joan Garriga. Made in Barcelona, it’s about a mother who also has to juggle to make ends meet. She’s struggling to make a living, for her son too.
AC: Any favouritetracks on the album? Or does that feel like choosing between your babies?
Willy: All the songs capture one particular moment of feelings. Happiness, nostalgia…
“But we do have a special bond with one song in particular, actually. It’s called “La Vida es Bella”In a way, this song has it all.
Willy Fuego
Roel: This was a collaboration with Amparo Sánchez also known as Amparanoia.(ed.note: Amparanoia is the stage name of Spanish singer/guitarist Amparo Sánchez who combines her first name with the word ‘paranoia’. Willy also played in her band for a long time.
A lot of different things come together in that record. It’s danceable, it has a latin vibe, nice rhythm, trumpets…And it contains the melancholy that Willy often has in his songs.
AC: How did you all meet?
Roel: I met Thomas, the trumpet-player, first. I was working with him, for “l’orchestre International du Vetex”Willy was playing with Amparo Sanchez while in Belgium. We did a kind of jam together in Tournai, where her manager lives. The three of us started to play. Which felt really great. Of course we needed a bass player. I invited Thomas, with whom I played in Think Of One before.
About Rumabaristas creative process:
Roel: For this album, we really worked more collectively, but most of the time, Willy will start a song. Sometimes with a rhythm track I already created. Or on his own. Then we start working with that. Looking for the right groove, Tomasino will write the melodies while we come up with lyrics in different languages. Willy has also found a way to leave a lot of things open, so we can fill it in.
Want to catch this band live?
In May Rumbaristas starts touring again.
Rumbaristas, not your typical Belgian band, besides welcomed on stages abroad, they are also breaking through our national language borders. They can be found both on stages in the northern as well as the southern part of Belgium. Gigs in Tournai, Namur (in a monastery) are coming up.
The band succeeds to mesmerize young to older audiences, in different places. Including the iconic AB-club, one of the best venues for sound.
The band also presented their first album here.
Roel: It’s very difficult to find a venue that has all the qualities of AB. Every musician and/or band knows this, good technicians, great acoustics.
Other music temples On Rumbaristas’ wishlist are: Paradiso and Apolo club Barcelona. Spread the word ! And the music of course.
Pictures by Anthony Henry
Backstage at 🆎 Ancienne Belgique, with bandmembers Roel, Willy and their producer (picture by Griet De Blende)
We had high hopes but once again Oscar won’t land on Belgian soil this year. Film history is written though. Lukas Dhont and his cast and crew have definitely left their mark on Hollywood. Close might not have won the little statue but all the more hearts in cinemas worldwide 🌺🎞
Dear Lukas, Michiel, Angelo, Eden, Gustav & Cie, Belgium could not be more proud of your outstanding ambassadorship through this film. A cinematographic gem to cherish and already a classic.🙌
ArtistCongratz just for that! And a symbolic “screensilver oscar” to go with it. As a token from all viewers, touched by Remi and Leo’s story around the globe. Your very own magnificent once-upon-a-time-in-Hollywood to remember. As in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” 🎞🌺
Ok maybe not all at once 😉 but you will be back 🙌 for more. To be continued.
Which brings us to the ultimate highlight of Oscarnight. This film seems to have it all. Starting by the title. As inspiring as Close, poems might emerge. ArtistCongratz can’t wait to see leading ladies Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis acting their way to Oscar and parallel universes in “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”
Ke Huy Quan, best actor in a supporting role, gave the most moving speech of the evening honoring his 84 year old mom back home. His story reads like a fairytale. Almost four decades after his role as Short Round along Harrison Ford and Kate Capshaw (Mrs. Steven Spielberg) in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the former child actor wins an Oscar for his role as Waymond in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Congratz !
Which Oscarmovies besides Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, you consider absolute mustsees? Feel free to let us know, we will add them to this list.
These should be on 🔝 , according to ArtistCongratz ⤵️
🎬 Top Gun: Maverick, for obvious reasons, inspiring this years Oscarhost Jimmy Kimmel for a sky high entry 🪂 Lady Gaga performed her latest signature song live at the Dolby theatre
🎬 All Quiet on The Western Front, winning epic war saga, unfortunately all too topical still today
🎬 Women Talking, a revealing story about abused women in an isolated colony, written and directed by Sarah Polley, starring Frances McDormand and Claire Foy, aka the young Queen Elisabeth in The Crown 👑
🎬 The Whale, starring an amazingly transformed Brendan Fraser, best actor in a leading role.
🎬 The Fabelmans, a coming of age drama film by Steven Spielberg, starring Michelle Williams. And the also nominated Judd Hirsch at a dazzling age of 88🙌
🎬Triangle of Sadness: which won the Palme d’or in Cannes
🎬 And Close of course, a moving story about a close friendship between two young boys. From the same director as Girl, Lukas Dhont. His flower run scene will stay with you.🌺
Close, directed by Lukas Dhont, screenplay by Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens. Cast: Eden Dambrinne, Gustav De Waele, Emelie Dequenne, Kevin Janssens…
But from all “women talking” at this years Oscars, the one and only best Actress 👸🏻 in a leading role wins again with this quote ❤️⤵️
“And, Ladies, Don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever passed your prime”
Michelle Yeoh
Prime Rhyme we might add. You might wanna read some poetry in motion, written by yours truly as a tribute to these 95th Oscars.
Say what? Amen to that, & ArtistCongratz Michelle Yeoh!
Starting by Lady Gaga and her most intimate performance, a breath of fresh air at the Oscars. Far from glam, but all the more captivating.🎶
Rihanna was one of the other popicons performing live on Sunday. Lenny Kravitz paid tribute to the legends we lost, after John Travolta’s moving introduction. His way to honour his legendary co-stars Kirstie Alley and Olivia Newton John. Remaining « hopelessly devoted, always »
Composer Volker Bertelmann won the Academy award for best original score in All Quiet On the Western Front. The German Netflix-remake of the original movie (1930) based on the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque is probably the one movie keeping Belgium’s Close from winning the Oscar in the category best foreign film.
And then there was this moment when Hollywood turned into Bollywood 🇮🇳
Prepare for an even greater music hype following this years best Oscarsong. You won’t sit still to Naatu Naatu, it’s too catchy. An instant TikTok-revelation, even before the nomination. The song is from the blockbuster RRR, an entirely fictitious story about two Indian revolutionaries, dancing their way through three hours of spectacle. To be added to our previous wishlist 🎬
Warning for people with social-media-sensitive-epilepsy: This music-act is not TikTok-proof
Oscarmonth is here! Awardseason never sleeps, but March is for keeps! Almost there, Close to the Academy ones. But tonight « Magritte » is calling the filmshots. With Belgian cinema, booming more than ever, Les Magritte du Cinéma are bound to shine even brighter this evening.
And the Award goes to…
Among the nominees are also ArtistCongratz-interviewies Charlotte Vandermeersch, Felix Van Groeningen and Lukas Dhont.
For inside info and creative process of Le Otto Montagne and Close, just scroll back to December.
Both films have been showered with Awards and laudatory press and are still showing in cinema’s across Europe 🎞
But for now, a little less conversation, a little more.. Action please 🎬🎼🕺
The Artists are Red carpetready !
RDV tonight on RTBF (Frenchspeaking Belgian Channel)
What better way to launch our Belgian music week than with a sparkling shower of awards. Including dazzling music performances, « Made in Belgium »
You know what they say, tiny country, huge…talent 😉
Mia’s, short for Music Industry Awards, are our very own Belgian Grammy’s 💿, set up by our national tv-channel VRT and vi.be, Flanders guiding professional platform promoting rising artists. Place to be: Palace 12, just around the corner of our national pride The Atomium.
Artist Max Colombie aka Oscar and the Wolf gave a stunning performance on “🔝 of our national pride”’to kick off the Awardsceremony
On 🔝Oscar and the Wolf
Let’s have a closer look at those winners present, on the rise and confirming internationally. Kicking off by a rising star worldwide. On our watch as well as none other then Dave Grohls. Meet Stefanie Mannaerts ⬇️🥁
Stefanie just won her first MIA (musician) yesterday. Next Friday her band Brutus will play in a sold out legendary Brussels music temple Ancienne Belgique. Paris, Pink Pop, Pukkelpop and Daytona festival are just a few other roaring venues welcoming Stefanie and her band Brutus next. With drums and vocals sounding like a match made in shoegaze-heaven, ArtistCongratz can’t wait to discover “The Brutus Live Experience.” Nice to know: music runs in Stefanies family, her father Walter being a well known composer and her grandfather Leo is the writer of an anthem called…E Viva España.
Fancy blue suit by the way Stefanie, by all means reveal us your stylist;)
But we saw more than one vision in blue this year. Dressed like an Indigo queen, Charlotte Adigéry set fire to her mic and the stage alongside her partner-in-rhyme, Boris Pupul.
Charlotte full force 🎤🦋Haha 🙃 Strike a pose with a vibelike most groovy duo: Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul. Meeting each other back in 2016 through their work 🎵 for a cultfilm named Belgica, this Ghent based formation manages to transform pure irony into music. As well as many other feelings we all can relate to. Their list of quirky tracks is getting longer and longer. “Thank you, nonono thank youou ;-)” Ceci n’ést pas un cliché indeed 🎵 More high lights coming up after this years Mia’s for best art work (Topical Dancer) and producer (along David and Stephen Dewaele) Selfie by Pauline Slangen 🤳😊
Meet the one and only Real Regi, who wins the Mia for “best Dance”, the muse, on the left;) is vocalist Pauline Slangen, discovered in Regi’s own talent hunt “Regi Academy »
Regi’s music touch has been around for decades now and still continues to influence generations 🎵Now this is an icon you all must know. Leading Lady of Vaya Con Dios, recall Just a Friend of Mine, Heading For a Fall, Puerto Rico, and so many more hits worldwide. Dani Klein was handed a well deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. In her Thank you speech she did not forget her two legendary founding co members Dirk Schoufs and Willy Willy🎸And then there’s this adorable border breaking artist of course. All maestro’s, please make way for Stromae! He now holds the record with 20(!) Mia’s Twenty Mia’s and counting…“ArtistCongratz to all winners, nominees and performers 👏” pics Een, by Jokko
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We might be a tiny country but our filmmakers sure know how to touch audiences worldwide. Let’s seal our busy blogyear in absolute beauty with a directorstalk and a unique cinema-experience.
Christmasmonth also means releasemonth for “Le Otto Montagne” all over Europe, including Belgium, homecountry to the couple who brings the Italian bestseller novel to the big screen in a very poetic way.
Enjoy an exclusive chat about a making of like no other, with both Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch.
AC: Eventhough neither of you spoke Italian before this production, you never got lost in translating the book by Paolo Cognetti to the silver screen. ArtistCongratz just for that! And for the Juryprize in Cannes by the way 😉
Charlotte: Thank you, yes, that was quite the challenge. While we were writing the script we realised; ok, in ten months we start shooting; we really need to start learning this language (laughs). And so we went for it. The first big challenge were the castings in Rome. We speeded up the process with grammar books and on line courses. The necessity was high as we started to work on our script in Italian.
Felix: Practical exercise always works.
Charlotte: And before you know it, you start trying to say things. With Luca Marinelli & Alessandro Borghi we could talk in English, but that was not the case with everyone in the cast. At first it was a bit embarrassing but we learned very quickly.
AC: Belgian cinema is booming. Amazing productions share the international limelight, do you see this as an advantage?
Charlotte: Well, our film is a bit different because it’s an Italian, Belgian and French co-production. We see it as an Italian Belgian marriage in the best way. It’s a beautiful collaboration. There is room for every project.Everything which is good will find an audience.
AC: This was your first directing experience as a couple, is this the first of many experiences behind the camera?
Felix: We already worked together in different art forms. As director and actress of course but also as writers. We even made a song together🎵
AC: and you have a production company together named after your son Rufus…
Charlotte: He came first (laughs)
Felix: Charlotte has always been there on the sidelines, watching versions, cuts of movies, she was always there. This has been an extremely intense collaboration but we don’t know yet what will follow next. We surely won’t make the next one together but Charlotte is shooting some things and she wants to write some music. And I want to start acting…
AC: Now there’s an interesting challenge …
Charlotte: Indeed
Felix: No I’m joking
Charlotte: Watch out what you’re saying! (Laughter)
AC: Do you see yourself directing solo in the future?
Charlotte: Why not. I think I could try that out. I would just have to find that story I really believe in. This experience taught me so much. But it’s a whole different thing to do it by yourself. There’s a lot of learning still to do. I know I have some qualities and some things that I should develop more. Because It’s a big job to be a director. But no one ’s perfect at every aspect of it. There are so many to this job.
AC: What do you feel you have to develop for instance?
Charlotte: The oversight of what you’re shooting when you’re shooting it. Priorities, keeping track of time. A practical way of thinking (doing what you have to within a certain timerange, within the budget.)
This is not what I needed to develop so much for this movie because Felix was really on top of all that. But it scared me sometimes, thinking I could never do this but maybe I could after all…
Felix: Of course you can.
Charlotte: It’s something that needs to develop, with a clear mind and some good old common sense. Thinking in a clear way what you’re doing and how much time you have to do it.
AC: Tell us about your first acquaintance with “Le Otto Montagne”📖
Felix: The story crossed my path several times actually. Some people had tipped me, “maybe this is something for you…” I got a call from the production company in Italy. They pitched me this project. I get quite a lot of similar calls and it’s not the way I usually work but there was something about the way this was coming to me. I knew I had to check it out. So I started to read and… completely fell in love.
Maybe it started a bit slowly but halfway through I was already very moved and I realized why people had talked to me about it. Yet for reasons they couldn’t have known. By the end of the book, I was just completely devastated.
From the beginning Paolo Cognetti was part of the creative process of our project
Felix Van Groeningen
AC: Did it help that this was not your first adaptation like The Broken Circle Breakdown or De Helaasheid der Dingen?
Felix: I guess it did. But every project is different. We felt from the beginning that this was going to work for bothCharlotte and me.
Some books take more time to crack. Before you jump into it, you need some figuring out…
Felix Van Groeningen
AC What stands out is the unbreakable bond between two friends in this coming of age story. They even build a mountainhouse together…is this what struck you most?
Felix: It’s everything, it ’s the father-son story, it’s the mountains, definitely the friendship, the very pure essence of it all. Their characters are absolutely very pure and simple and non cynical and that is really important for me.
AC: A wonderful story indeed. You must have heard that a lot in Cannes…
Felix: The most beautiful feedback comes from people who are very open having been through something that touched them very deeply.
AC: Le Otto Montagne allows the viewer to read between the lines…
Charlotte: Sometimes the main characters loose track of each other for years and what happens in between, we discover along the way.
“An organic process”
Felix: Ruben (Impens, cinematographer ed. note) and I, we have been working together for over twenty years. We’re not the biggest talkers. Sometimes it’s weird to be with us…for the third person (laughs) being Charlotte in this case. We work together in a very organic way.
AC: You finish each other’s sentences?
Charlotte laughs and adds “they don’t use sentences…”
Felix: No apparently some people think we talk in the same manner. Sometimes we don’t talk a lot and just spend time together and show each other things to try out.
Charlotte: It’s a strange process if you don’t really know it. But now I can look back and see how they work. It’s a pretty organic process. They understand each other in some way. They’d be just silent for an hour and a half, looking on the internet for an image they want for a film.
I ask myself, would it be the same for me with someone else? Or different? I’m curious to discover that. Who is my D.O.P. (director of photography ed;) who understands me without speaking?
Felix: As for Ruben and I, ideas become clear as we’re working…we’re not the loudest shouters. But we are constantly diving in, discovering, being open to the others…being open to chance…
Charlotte: Ideas are very sensitive in the beginning. They can easily be overthrown. So when you launch an idea and make a list with basic ones, someone might put something in there that you already think “nah… ain’t gonna work” but you just give it a chance.💡
That’s the creative process. It’s really nice to honour every idea, as a possibility. Organically.
Charlotte Vandermeersch
AC. We obviously will also read the novel one day 😉 but are there any major differences between the book and the film?
Charlotte: Major, no, because we really stuck to the story. Where the book is in the mind of Pietro, he’s the eye let’s say…in the film you jump from past to present.
To challenge and surprise the viewer you don’t serve it all on a silver platter.
Charlotte Vandermeersch
You really demand something and suggest passing in time and things that might have happened in between.Bits of life, and times shoots forward. Never go back, that’s a choice in editing.
In other movies Felix has jumped a lot back and forth in time in a very intuitive way, like the broken circlebut for this film, there was a very clear choice not to do that. But rather to just go on. And there’s no breaking of that rule…because life is like that. Or rather our experience of life is like that. We don’t know if life on earth is like that actually. It’s a philosophical question.
But you do things consequently. So the viewer really starts feeling there is no going back. Besides the voice over filling in some thoughts. But that’s the only libertywe took in the film.
The symbolic of the eight mountains is something Pietro picks up in the east somewhere but actually the author made it up. But it must be based on some Tibetan symbols. You know these kinds of circles like a pie, cut in pieces with a center? All of these symbols you have in Nepal. And the writer really loves to go there.
The metaphor works really well because it actually makes sense, this idea of the eight mountains and the center.
Charlotte Vandermeersch
In between directors 🎬
In January Felix and Charlottes awardwinning picture will be presented at the iconic Sundancefestival for independent movies in Parkcity Utah.
🎬
This interview took place on the same day the Filminstitute shares the magnificent news that the best film of all times is a Belgian cult classic from the seventies. Great to see that so many years later Belgian cinema is playing such an important role on a global scale.
Like Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens (Close), Robin Pront (Zillion), Charlotte and Felix definitely have left their mark on 2022 🎞 🏆
Back in May, velvet carpets of the iconic Cannes filmfestival almost turned black and yellow besides red. Next in line? Oscartime!
But first treat yourself and your significant others to a special Christmas present and be moved by “le Otto Montagne” in theatres all over the country. Make sure to bring your kleenex. You will need it 🥺😍
Congratz by the way to the late Chantal Ackerman, director of “Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce 1080 Bruxelles”, which will also be shown in cinemas again after being awarded best film of all times.
Who doesn’t like it cosy when winter approaches. And some storytelling through jazzy vibes from a brand-new Belgian album to go with it. Thank you Don Marsh to treat us to your debut called Marshland!🎼
Congratz first of all! Must be exciting to release your firstborn in front of a live audience 🙌By now there have been quite a few occasions to play. Tell us how that went.
Yes very excited indeed! We played some small try-out concerts before, but it’s the first time for me leading the band for a bigger audience.
We played a few outdoor festivals & some clubs, which made me realize again how different the music comes across in those settings. Because of the broad stylistic palette there is not one ideal concert experience, but I look forward to playing in medium-size halls with some more natural reverberation which will be great for the chamber-likemusic we play.
Anyway, it’s a real blessing to play my own music with these great musicians. It’s something that I have been looking forward to for a long time.
We’re also curious what the rhythm section has to say. How are they involved in the creation process for instance?
Our bass player Janos Bruneel has written some compositions for the group, so that’s an obvious contribution. On rehearsals he often pinpoints weak spots in my compositions and he helps to think about arrangements. His clear lines bring a direction to the music that is really helpful for keeping the whole thing together. This direction is important as the music often shifts between composition and improvisation, and it can be hard to keep track of the bigger structure that I want to convey.
Picture by Jonas Commere
Our drummer Matthias is more pragmatic. He will try to understand what I want the music to say and make his contributions along the way. Matthias has a very broad taste and that’s something you can hear in his playing. He can be a supportive player, adding colors, but there are enough moments where he takes the front stage as an improviser too.
Can you tell us about the first bricks of this record? Which track came first and triggered all the others?
Not all compositions are linked to each other. Some pieces were written years ago (Very Late & ILVM I-II), when we first started playing with the band as a quartet. Somewhat later – when I was very much into the music of Mingus- I wrote some swinging pieces (Rhytmicus & Bermuda). This was when I really heard an extra horn in my head, so I got the idea to add at trumpet to the group, which offered more arranging possibilities. The idea for the sonata came later. I already wrote the track “Dawn” without having the intention of making it part of a multi-movement work. It was clearly a different side of my musical identity, one that I wanted to explore more.
The mentioning of the name Beethoven in the bio kind of stayed with us…What exactly inspires you within this classic grandmaster?
During the covid- lockdown, I got a little bit discouraged playing jazz and improvising. For me, the most important aspect of this music is the rhythmic interaction with other musicians, and with that absent I just wanted to play aesthetically pleasing music. I was drawn to classical repertoire and especially the Beethoven sonata’s.
What I like about this music so much is the intricate architecture and the storytelling on a bigger scale, which is rarely present in jazz. It made me wonder if I could combine this kind of narrative with my own musical language.
Wouter Van den Broeck, pianist/composer and founder of the acoustic quintet Don Marsh V
Don Marsh V in complete line up
There were a lot of challenges, for example as how to find spots for improvisation and spontaneity, but in the end I’m quite happy with the result. It’s still a work in progress however. My understanding of Beethoven’s music and the sonata form is still basic and I will probably never perform any of the sonata’s for an audience. But that’s part of the fun for me, having this new world to discover.
Other music heroes who made you grow as artists?
Most of my influences are Black American artists. My first hero was Ray Charles. Oscar Peterson was a big reference for swing feel and a meticulous execution. Bud Powell was the blueprint for my bebop language, I like his ‘in the moment’- playing and raw energy. I love Mingus for his use of form and the historical awareness in his music.There are countless others of course..
What can we expect from don Marsh V in the months ahead? And 2023?
We are finishing the first part of our tour in October. In November me & my wife are expecting our first child, so I didn’t plan any concerts then. We start playing again in February 2023. We hope to play some summer festivals and I would like to start writing a second album, probably expanding on the idea of this ‘jazz sonata’. Maybe I would like to add other musicians, but we have to see if it’s doable.
What would you say to convince new (international) potential listeners and audiences To come and check you out live?
The band consists of some of the finest improvisational talent Belgium has to offer. I already talked about the rhythm section, but the horn section alone would be enough to attract curious music- fans. Saxophonist Warre Van de Putte is the youngster of the group and still a well- hidden secret in the Belgian scene. He has incredible technique and imagination and he plays with a maturity far beyond his years. Jean-Paul Estiévenart on the trumpet is a fantastic player at home in lot’s of different musical styles. He just released a record with the ensemble ‘Il Gardellino’, playing music of J.S. Bach. You should definitely check that out as well!
In What kind of ways you are able to promote a debut album? Do you feel you get enough support from organisations?
I contacted label manager Joshua Dellaert from Solidude records for the release of the album. He helped to get me some financial support from Sabam for Culture (Belgian supportsystem for creators ed. note), which gave me the opportunity to work with promotor Bram Moony (Vermeersch). He’s doing a fine job bringing the music to a broader audience, but of course it’s not an easy task these days. Budgets are tighter than ever, concert spots are scarce and there is a growing pool of excellent musicians who are eager to bring their project to the limelight. I’m aware that my music is not the next ‘hip thing’ and that it’s not for a niche audience, but I just want to make music that makes me feel good. Honesty to oneself is the most important thing in the long run I think.
Marshland is released by Solidude Records.
Discover Don Marsh V live in Belgium on these dates⬇️
Where a disco-king once met a pornguru, way back in 199-something, emerged a place-to-be, rarely seen before. To have actually witnessed this, for working purposes we might add, ArtistCongratz could hardly wait to discover the film that tells the story behind the “late” but not less mythical, Antwerp based dance-dome, named Zillion.
Director Robin Pront 🇧🇪 seems pleased about one thing when it’s our turn to fire away questions about the making of.
“Finally someone who actually went to the real place. (laughs)”
AC: ☺️ Backstage, during artist-interviews, I particularly remember the python. Seeing it in the movie brought back memories. I recall touching it, while wrapped around a dancer I was talking to. It felt pretty cold. I presume it’s not the original one, starring in the movie;-)?
Robin: No it’s not actually, if I’m not mistaking they had to put down the original snake. Or it went to the zoo.
Without revealing too much, you did come up with a great idea for a cameo that also features the snake…
Robin: That was fun indeed!
AC: But first things first. Congratz! This could be a blockbuster in the making. Zillion tells a story, known beyond our borders. Any plans to distribute abroad?
Robin: I’ve just finished the movie (Robins third ed.d) this week. But I showed it to my agent in the US and they seem really happy with it, so I think that’s all starting right now.
AC: Exciting. To be continued. “Zillion” is filmed very close to the characters, you want to make this your trademark as a filmmaker?
Robin: Not particularly.But I really wanted to make this a film for a broad audience.
The kind my friends from back home would want to go see with their girlfriend. That dictated the style, I wanted it to be like this big roller coaster ride. Fasten your seatbelts. My first film “The Ardennes” was a little more clinical. This feels warmer. I tried to bring the energy of the nightlife to the big screen.
AC: Outsiders might wonder what’s true and what’s fiction? You want to maintain the mystery?
Robin: I’m sure a fantastic Netflix-documentary about Zillion can be made in the future. But that was not my goal. I tried to tell the story of its founder Frank Verstraeten. What defines him as a person and as a character. Of course I touched some subjects that really happened. But I felt it would be kind of boring for me just to tell what actually happened.
AC: This film makes painfully clear how work, friendship, love and betrayal can be connected.
Robin: Yes but mostly the “fake” of it all. I feel like these people were kind of “put” together. In a different world this smalltown computernerd would never even meet the most beautiful girl in Belgium. But because of who he is, he makes it happen. Later on, it becomes clear that they’re not meant to be.
AC: Although early on in the film it seems like they are, even if it were just for a brief moment. As in a timecapsule. Robin: I understand what you’re saying and that’s what I also try to capture and picture. But I feel like these are such unusual circumstances. If this guy had never been to a night-club, he would never even have met her. Overall, the story is about a very unlikely set of characters joining each other. And yes, although opposites attract, they are more alike, which also shows in the film.
AC: Those scenes of Frank in the watertank, so eccentric but mesmerising. Scubadivers do come up with the wildest ideas 😉
Robin:That’s a true story. What you see is real, he actually had such a tank in his appartment. That’s where he came up with most of his ideas. That’s just who Frank Verstraeten is, very unpredictable. He doesn’t think like you and me. You never know what he’ll do next.
Intrigued? Go see Zillion 🎬. The notorious night-club and its founder Frank Verstraeten are known to have caused a lot of controverse. But they also conquered the nightlife way beyond the Antwerp of the roaring nineties. Then and there, “nothing seemed impossible”. A baseline you will remember, after seeing a story that seems out-of-this-world, now masterfully filmed. Prepare for a frenzy roller coaster with more surprises that ‘ll make you wonder if they are fict. or fact. “I did my research” Robin delicately adds but for now we’ll keep up the suspense…
From A to Z, you might want to see this film a zillion times. This is the merit of Robin, his co-screenwriter Kevin Meul as well as their outstanding crew and cast.
Jonas Vermeulen, also a gifted writer and actor on stage, incarnates Zillion-boss Frank Verstraeten. Charlotte Timmers plays his love interest. Matteo Simoni will glue you to the screen as Franks fratello/frenemy Dennis Black Magic. He transforms into the spitting image of the real DBM.
“Ons moeke (mummy ed.d)”, as Jonas ‘alias’ Frank refers to his mother, turns out to be a very inspirational character. A stunning performance by Barbara Sarafian. We’ll grant you one quote from her character that sticks.
“If you don’t want people to look down on you, make sure they look up to you”.
And this is just the first of a zillion spot-on one liners”🎞
Our personal favourite:
“If you want to catch an asshole, you have to become one” 🐍
Fasten your seatbelts🎢
Without Corona, Zillion would have come out two years ago. However, a day before shooting, lockdown came. That must have been pretty frustrating for everyone involved in the project.
But a director like Robin, ironically also shooting his series “Lockdown” while in lockdown, keeps his cool at all times.
“What are you gonna do about it. When I was a kid, I was very negative, but I managed to turn that around.”
Robin Pront
“A blank page”
Why Robin casted Jonas to play Frank Verstraeten:
Three reasons. For starters, I really wanted “a blank page”, someone the general audience didn’t really know. Plus I needed someone with a specific posture.
But the most important one: I needed a great actor. Jonas combining all of the above, made him the obvious choice for the part.
Robin Pront
This might be his breakthrough on the silver screen indeed.🤞”
Like Robin we were also blown away by Jonas’ acting- and writer-skills in Belgian theatres throughout the country. One piece we particularly remember from a few years back is called “The Only Way Is Up” 🎭
This title could turn out to be prophetic. Stay tuned for another exclusive AC-rediscovers-Zillion-chat. With Jonas, about his leading role in the movie that might bring broad audiences back to cinemas, and more.
Zillion, in Belgian cinemas on October 2️⃣6️⃣, eyes AND ears are in for a treat, the amazing soundtrack was written by Goose-drummer Bert Libeert 👏
Actors in the picture
Robin about Matteo Simoni as Dennis Black Magic⤵️
“In real life Dennis Black Magic seems a figure “kind of out of this world”. But you still have to make him human. And that’s what Matteo did so well.”
Robin Pront
He’s funny, charming, but also a little bit dangerous. I couldn’t be happier with the way he played the part.
“The female power in Zillion”
AC: Another interesting character is Franks mother. A courageous lady, a driving force and inspiring performance by Barbara Sarafian.
Robin: Thank you, Zillion being almost a macho story, full of testosteron, I feel like the female part is equally if not more important.
“I really want to do them justice. When people say they like the female part, that really makes me proud.”
Robin about his leading “Zillion🎞ladies”
The scene that stayed with us, when Barbara’s character is (mis)taken for the cleaning lady was one of the first scenes written… Jonas and Barbara earlier worked together for the In Flanders Fields television series. Glad that she’s my filmmother now yes, dixit her newfound son-on-screen⤵️.
👸🏻
From scubadivinglessons to breathtaking scenes”
AC: Congratz on your performance Jonas! Breathtaking at times. A roller coaster indeed, did you have to dig deep for this role? Jonas: Thank you, yes, the preparation required a few things. But I was very lucky that “my character” was willing to cooperate. After sharing stories and anekdotes for the script, I got involved after the first version was written.We went to dinner a few times and I was able to ask him my own questions.Seeing him talk to people and how he behaved, the way he talked and moved helped me prepare for the role. Discovering what kind of person he is; not a typical guy, he has his own kind of logic rules and values.I understand people get easily fascinated by him. What was really helpful, was the amount of actual Zillion-footage. The building being no longer there indeed adds up to the myth.
AC: This might be your breakthrough on the big screen. Are you prepared? Jonas: (Laughs) not really, I just try to have as much fun as possible. Telling the story and playing the character was really fun. It was a pleasure to work closely with both Matteo and Charlotte because we all know each other pretty well. I really felt surrounded by friends. This is an ambitious project, with a big set. Especially for a Belgian film. Feeling you’re realising it with close friends is encouraging. A real journey, a trip for us to make…
AC:That journey also included “scuba diving lessons” as the real Frank often, dove in his watertank to come up with crazy ideas… Jonas: Yes, I went to a pool (a little deeper then required for the scenes and took some lessons)… I had to figure out the breathing through the octopus. And the clearing of the ears and stuff.
AC:Do you think you might take it one step further? Jonas: The scuba diving? Yes, I think so . I love it, yeah. I didn’t get to go scuba dive somewhere else after the shoot but I really loved it so who knows…
🤿🤿
You can also see Jonas live on stage. He’s actually playing “The Sheep Song” of FC Bergman.
From motion pictures to graphic novels and comics, it’s not even such a giant step. Stories are told in many ways. ArtistCongratz likes to hop on and off different art forms anyway.
But always with the same goal, lifting national gems beyond Belgian borders, welcoming internationals inside.
Station of the day is Breda, The Netherlands 🇳🇱, just across the Belgian border. Breda is the Hometown of a huge Festival of Comic books and therefor a perfect gathering of some of the finest draftsmen/craftsmen of our low lands.
Scroll through our Special Photogallery with awardwinning artists and their backgroundstories. Congratz to all of them! They will want you to discover more. Guaranteed.
ArtistCongratz to Joris Mertens! And the prettiest prize, this work of art by last year’s winner Judith Vanistendael 👌 Joris’ second graphic novel “Bleekwater” is now labeled “best comic 2022”
This gem on paper (available in Dutch and in French, English might follow) just won the prize named after Willy Vandersteen, spiritual father of the iconic Belgian comic “ Suske & Wiske”Mertens’ first book “Beatrice” also was awarded. Both books are published by Oogachtend, Belgian publishing house with finesse for this genre 📖📚Young talent in the making can never be awarded too early. Special Congratz for Joris from Chris Vandersteen, daughter of the late comic icon, which the prize is named after Could’nt resist a Selfie with Spider-Man”Nice reunion with former awardwinners Gerben Valkema and Eric Hercules, they won the prize a few years ago in Antwerp with their comic “Elsje”, she’s one fierce little lady making history to discover 👍⤵️“Lucky me, Last in line”, to get a personalized “Elsje” 🍀📚Making a little comic of my own, featuring Gerben Valkema & Eric Hercules 💭💬🎈#cameoforthewriters ✌️🤘☝️#always
At Filmfest Ghent, it’s come as Close as it can get. Tonight is “Homerun-night” for “Close”.
This refined Belgian motion picture just might be our next production to make it to the stage of the Dolby Theatre on March 12th 2023.🍒
But let’s not get too far ahead. ArtistCongratz discovered the film in an exclusive preview just yesterday.
The only way to capture completely what it was that touched so many filmhearts in Cannes last Spring. And will touch many more in the months to come.
Writing a review that does this gem justice is not an easy task, but certainly not too much to ask.
ArtistCongratz has made an ultimate wishlist why you absolutely should go see this movie📩
1. Director Lukas Dhont and screenwriter Angelo Tijssens tell a story that concerns us all.
2. Close is close in more ways then one. Be prepared to be glued to the screen.
3. In this film cinema meets visual arts and poetry in all its simplicity 🌺 some things are left unspoken. But the director understands the art of making the viewer read between the lines.
4. The acting performances of the entire cast are stunning. Eden Dambrinne plays the leading role like a pro, although this is his debut. AC would like to invent him a nickname: #Silverscreenblender with eyes like a reindeer.
5. One of the most moving breaking-scenes in a supporting role is played by one of our Belgian fetisj actors, Kevin Janssens.
6. Every school and every student should go see this film and by that we don’t mean just filmstudents.
7. Leo & Remi’s “flower run” will become legendary.
8. This is not only queercinema at its best. Close is cinema at its closest to closure after devastating events.
9. Be able to say you saw it even before it was nominated for an Oscar.
10. Although it will also touch you on TV, this film is made for the big screen. The cinematography is mindblowing.
Close is a Lumière-production. Directed by Lukas Dhont. Written by Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens. Cast: Eden Dambrinne (Leo), Gustav De Waele (Remi), Igor Van Dessel (Charlie), Emilie Dequenne (Sophie), Léa Drucker (Nathalie), Kevin Janssens (Peter).
When a visual artist feels he has become a writer. That’s exactly where ArtistCongratz has to come in. And so should you.
Coming to Belgium this September? Don’t visit the captivating city of Antwerp without stopping by Fred & Ferry gallery to discover these giant “narratives on panel” by Antoine Waterkeyn. Discover yourself what is actually painted and what’s not…
Maybe you might even be as lucky as your editor and get a private exhibition tour by the artist himself🧑🏻🎨 including the story behind his story, called “Ein bisschen Goethe, ein bisschen Bonaparte”. ⬇️
Detail of one particular work of the series “Abstraction and figuration come together”“Time and space are of the essence in which the iridescent paint used, plays a significant role” Antoine explains “Different light always reveals something new inside the painting”ArtistCongratz, always pleased to see young arttalent like Antoine thrive and develop. Picture by Eva Dobbels (Fred&Ferry gallery)In the building where he has his studio, Antoine gathered ladders🪜 Also covered in opaque and iridescent paint and “stripped of their symbolism” they now play a significant part in the narrative of the exposition.Our personal favourite 👌
To who might find the name Waterkeyn familiar sounding; yes, your hunch is correct. André Waterkeyn, architect of our national pride; The Atomium🇧🇪, is Antoines great uncle.
Sooner or later, those ties might inspire Antoine for future work. Artistcongratz can’t wait to discover more of this promising young artist who also will be presenting new work at Art Brussels in March 2023.
Ein bisschen Goethe, Ein bisschen Bonaparte can be visited till October 8. At Fred & Ferry Gallery, Leopoldplaats 12, 2nd floor, Antwerp, Belgium https://fredferry.com
Our shimmering long hot summer holds the best of several artist worlds. Since ArtistCongratz likes to go where no “outsider” has gone before 😉 and the temperatures are way too high to spend your time at the beach or in town we have something special in store for you this August. Although some might not cool down completely…
Let’s move from tunes to «cartoons»
First of all; did you know that lot’s of world famous cartoon characters have Belgian spiritual fathers?
Hergé & Tintin, Morris & Lucky Luke, Peyo & his Smurfs, just to name a few. But today we would like you to discover our best sold comic book series in the country.
If you are on holiday at our seaboard, you can get acquainted with our most famous comic family. By all means, don’t leave without meeting Flanders favourite “de Kiekeboes” who are celebrating their 45th anniversary with this expo.
Place to be is the cutest little coast town of Wenduine, where you and your entire family can discover the exposition “De Kiekeboes” for free. It’s also in this adorable place that creator Merho made a lot of adventures of the family come to life.
Still not convinced? No worries, You will be after passing through our photogallery⤵️
Let’s start with the starlet of these Fab Four; Fanny is the daughter of Marcel Kiekeboe. You definitely don’t have to understand Flemish to notice her euhm “appealing look” which is “hot and cool at the same time”Even Peyo’s Smurfs can’t seem to resist Fanny’s undeniable charm 🥰Surrounded by a proud dad and an early Fanny-admirer Books within books, the universe of “De Kiekeboes” is full of surprises, quibbles and winks to other existing figures.🍺A joint-venture with famous Belgian beers 👉Cheers!🍻Fanny even makes it to the cover of a celebrity magazine. Which cartoon character is able to say that 💬😊😇The comic has been around for four decades but founding father Merho manages to keep renewing and innovating the world of his characters. It works like a charm in this bestseller.From beach to book and in reverse 👙🏖☀️“TOP RODDEL”, as in “ Top Gossip” The household magazine, read by the familyFanny’s brother, The boy planting the flag on the sandcastle, is called Constantinopel. He tends to come up with the smartest ideas 💡in critical situationsThe exposition also highlights the early years of the comic, starting in 1977 in the Belgian newspaper “Het Laatste Nieuws »📰Finally a look on the entire family including cool mom CharlotteWant to get to know him? Two options; Buy an album and learn some Dutch in the process or visit the Expo “Lang zullen ze leven” (long they shall live), open to public till the 28th of August. Highly recommended by ArtistCongratz. And by all means Congratz to the jubilees 4️⃣5️⃣and their founding father Merho🥂
We honestly could not have found a better answer for our questioning title, as the one of a play that was on top of our must see list at Theater Aan Zee this year. 👁
Please check out these two artists and founding fathers of a newborn collective called dinsdag.org
Written and performed by Jeff Aendenboom and Bas Vanderschoot, “The Memeing of Life” is the talk of the town in Ostend these days.
If you get the chance elsewhere, by all means go check it out yourself. You are in for a treat full of surprises. Although the play is in Dutch, it looks and feels extremely universal. Get ready for an extraordinary view on cyberculture and prepare for a journey through time and space, different artforms, covered in dadaïsm. And memes, by all means 🙃
How about learning one of Belgium’s three languages 😉 through theater and memes? It’s just a wild idea.
Anyway, it’s the sum of wild ideas that often leads to genius TAZ-productions like: “The Memeing of Life” 👩🏻🏫▶️🖼👁 Another well deserved “ArtistCongratz”👏 to these youngsters.
With the makers’ consent ArtistCongratz would like to grant you some sneak peeks▶️⤵️
Warning: Not a scene for all too sensitive viewers 👁“Mona”Jeff Aendenboom demonstrating « The Memeing of Life »❓A Turning Point 👏🙌Jpeg Picture with a Merchmom, if That’s no meme;-)
ArtistCongratz are in order for the founders of an extraordinary festival by the sea. Ostend turns silver for her most cherished theater and -literature-highlight-of-the -summer called Theater Aan Zee.
About a decade in 25 years of TAZ, your editor has had the privilege to witness and assist lots of creative talents, performing in one of the most inclusive and diverse line ups in the country.
National and international talent is able to thrive here in many ways.
Starring in this beachperformance: two bulldozers and a drone The campagne image of this years festival and many others were designed by Kaat Flamey
If you’re from abroad and traveling along our Belgian coastline don’t miss out on “The Nomads” this year.
The itinerary along well hidden gems of Ostends fisherman’wharf area happens to program two English spoken performances.
Please check the jubilee’s website and socials for more options.
With TAZ halfway through we gladly present our so far photogallery, full of talent, performing at this years festival. Shiny happy birthday Theater Aan Zee!🎂 🌊 ⚓️🎪🎭🥂
Part of the outdoor expo “De Zin.” as “the phrase or sentence” but also “the meaning” by Alexia Leysen⤵️Alicja Gescinska, a remarkable Belgian philosopher and writera voodooprincess in the deepest trance possible #mambo by Princess Isatu Hassan Bangura Circling Site Performance “Dog”Emma Buysse in “Crybaby”: “A quest for authentic tears”And last but not least; a fan of spoken and written words, ready for “Nomadland”
Summertime! Calls for a special travel tip for all of you, 🇧🇪🌏🌞
If you’re exploring Belgium this Summer, ArtistCongratz recommends a special experience for classical music lovers, combining passion for nature, nostalgia and history.
In for a Tsjaikovski, Vivaldi, Rachmaninov, Bizet and Orff-revival amidst historic buildings of our cutest open air museum? Get flashed back into the golden age of these epic composers➡️the 17th and the 18th century.
Space to be is our most famous open air museum: Bokrijk, every sunday, starting July 3rd till August 7th, where this instrument’s🎹craftsmanship will be demonstrated.
Your musical guide is Daniel Verstappen, a young pianist featuring previous posts. He is on the rise and on our watch, almost since he started making his way. Highlights along that way include concerts with Anastacia, Andrea Bocelli, John Miles and of course his recent selection for the European Music Export Program, which lead him to Dubai, playing for our Belgian king and queen 👑 A new young Belgian “Richard Clayderman” is among us indeed.
Daniël is determined to make each detail count. In sound as well as performance. Touching and inspiring the listener are his main goals.
Daniel playing along Jos Essers, the author of a novel in which he reminisces towards his childhood at a Castle 🏰 hidden in the woods of Overijse. Dreamed top spot for this concert and the reading 📖🎹
So by all means, get swept away in Bokrijk by his adaptation of masterpieces like Four Seasons and Swan Lake🦢🎼
ArtistCongratz also attended the castle concert in Overijse. Now this is what we call: A Tune With A View⬇️
TUNES with a VIEW
More castle concerts are coming up. Check itinerary here and abroad on Daniel’s renewed website.
Details, speaking of which, this is Daniel’s lucky luxury charm, a golden pianobrooch (actually it’s a tie pin) with eleven brilliants (worth 6000 💶) he started wearing at his latest concerts following a joint-venture with UDT diamonds 💎 The owner of the company being a great admirer of Daniel’s work Not an easy process this design, it all starts with a 3 D drawing ✍️
Notice Daniel is wearing state of the art costumes, also matching his tunes like a charm. A special ArtistCongratzcall to rising designers out there; 🤵🏻♀️feel free to get in touch with Daniel 👔for brandnew fashionable joint (ad) ventures Presenting: a never ending piano story 🎼🎹
🎼”Floating”I-Partitions This track is called “Soulmate”, and that’s actually what the piano is to Daniel according to the young composer himselfBach in BokrijkDaniel presents 🎼Tsjaikovski’s Swan lake🦢, One of our absolute favourites
A strawberry moon to go with Belgian Måneskinrays, it doesn’t get much sweeter 🍓
Slightly before the most “Abbalike” victory in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, ArtistCongratZ might have had a liiittle hunch that this band was about to be become really biiig. Zitti e buoni? Be good and stay quiet? Nah..
Hear hear the voice of teasing our senses with some good old new glamrock🎼 Måneskin is shining on top of the world with brighter beams then ever before 🌙✨ If you attend Jimmy Fallons seats, you’re in for the all inclusive treats 😉
And now these newfound fab four find themselves on ways becoming even bigger then musiclife itself. Since their very own tribute to The King🎸🎼 himself.
Baz Luhrmann’s new Elvismovie starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks partly floats on Måneskins soundtrack and is premiering June 23rd in cinema’s across Europe 🍿🎞▶️
But first things first, some time today, or tonight, Måneskin is playing an exclusive showcase for our very own radiostation Studio Brussels at a top secret location. So only the happy few will experience the shining. For now.
Vic de Angelis, posting her first Instastory since she set foot on Belgian soil 🇧🇪
No worries if you can’t attend, the band will be back soon for the mother of all Belgian musicfestivals 🇧🇪
Be there or be square;-) or anywhere this quirky quartet will be performing of course🙌 Rock Werchter presents the One and Only Damiano David & his Capital Cie early July.
MainStage awaits Måneskin on the 2nd, at 15:40 pm sharp.
Welcome to Belgium Måneskin!
🇮🇹Benvenuti in Belgió al vostro nuovo “Forum Romanum” 🏛🧨🎸🏟🙌
Glam 🎸rock rules 🙌 For live🎤and love fools💚🤍❤️ In need of 🆒 Thanks to four new Super(role)models 🎶🍀from la bella Italia: Damiano David 🎤🎸, Victoria de Angelis 🇩🇰🎸👅, Thomas Raggi 🎸and Ethan Torchio 🥁🫶
“Siamo fuori di testa 🙃 NO diversa da Loro ;-)” (small AC- lyrics adaptation of this phrase from “Zitti e buoni” ▶️ meaning “we’re mad but no different from them”)
Just as we thought we couldn’t go any more crescendo, there it was: Queen Elisabeth’s platinum jubilee!🇬🇧💂♂️👑
BBC image on our “Telly” of the Platinum Party last night at Buckingham Palace, London.
Priceless it was. Not just “common wealth”🙃no. The Queen is going where no sovereign has gone before!
«Such an extraordinary achievement deserves an equal tribute” as Sir Andrew Loyd Webber 🎶aptly described it.
For the people gathered at the iconic festival in front of Buckingham Palace last night, it must have been an unforgettable experience🙌.
No stiff upper lips what so ever detected by BBC-camera’s.
Some circle of life and a lifetime achievement captured in time like never before.
The Duke of Cambridge congratulated our youngsters in quest for the sake of our -as the Queen herself put it- fragile planet 🌎
The Queen herself unfortunately could not attend in person but the cheers of the crowd must have reached her home office at Windsor Castle.🏰 And of course her son and grandson spoke on her behalf.
Beautiful to see generations meet. And history, present, art, environment and future blend so well in a musical and visual tribute without a precedent. As The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, mentioned in his impressive speech; turning Buckingham Palace into a massive IMAX-screen.
A whole new “Thanksgiving British style” deserves iconic Congratz, a Platinum Anthem like Sir Rod Stewart’s “Sweet Caroline” and world wide gratitude On Her Majesty’s Public Service from 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ disguised as Daniël Craig, Sirs Paddington 🐻 and Paul MC Cartney, Michelle Obama, Dame Julie Andrews, Sir Mo Farah, tennis player Emma Raducanu, Dame Judi Dench, David Beckham, Ellie Simards and many more.
Cuteness Overload 🐻👑 (Repost ItsRoyalGram)
From Diana Ross’s, Queen’s and Elton John’s special tributes🎶 to Jax Jones, Sir Andrew Loyd Webber, Sigala, mister TikTok-Eurovision Sam Ryder, Sir Rod Stewart, Craig David, Lee Mack and Diversity to Andrea Bocelli and Duran Duran🫶⬇️
Notorious idols from your editors teen-times paved ways for a true girl-on-film-and-on-fire 🔥Alicja Keys. Loving London🎡 like New York🗽, concrete jungle where dreams are made and may come true.
Duran Duran on film 🎞 or rather tv 📺 and boomerang 🪃A writers crown jewel 🫶✍️👑
Highlights of seven decades in pophistory across the Commonwealth were told through poetryslam and rap.
Simultaneously paying tribute to the country’s poppioneers like The Beatles (She loves you, Abbey Road…), The Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever…) David Bowie (Let’s Dance), The Spice Girls (Spice up your life), One Direction etc. Lot’s of stories yet to tell…
“Where popmusic goes from here” We are also excited to see…
“We are all Elizabethans”
Stephen Fry
Hear hear Stephen Fry! 🇬🇧Writer, actor, comedian and presenter. We from Belgium cannot stay behind. ArtistCongratz would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty with no less then A Royal Poem👑🇬🇧 written by yours truly🫶
WAUW. ArtistCongratz comes CLOSE to crescendo this week(end). From our own seaside to Le Stade de France and the Rivieracarpet. Belgium is 🔛the map of lalaland!🎬🎶🏆
While Saving-Sant-Thibaut-Tarantula 🇧🇪🥅 is now without a doubt the best keeper🇪🇸💃 in the whole wide world, we can honestly say he won’t have to search very far in need of the best director for his future biopic. A soccer AND a filmcountry. BELGIUM IS ALL THAT AND MORE🎶
« Historic and truly exceptional this Belgian coloured Cannes Scenario”, according to two iconic siblings. They should know. Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne add another award to their impressive collection🎞
Three times Congratz-en-stéréo to our Belgian fine fleur or should we say filme fleur 🌹 🎞:
1. 🎬👯Lukas Dhont (Grand Prix for Close) in ex æquo with French Director Claire Denis (Stars at Noon)
Close, story about an intense friendship, inspired upon the directors own childhood, definitely touched the hearts of the jury in Cannes. Next are audiences all over the world.
Never change a winning team they say. Once again Lukas collaborated with Angelo Thijssens. Repeating the triumph of their “Girl-scenario”.
Also Congratz to The exceptional Close-cast: Eden Dambrine, Igor Van Dessel, Émilie Duquenne, Kevin Janssens, Léa Drucker etc.Pic shares in story from the director’s instapage
2. 🎬🏔Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch (Prix du Jury for «Le Otto Montagne») in ex aequo with Jerzi Skolimowski (EO)
Charlotte and Felix, surrounded by the cast of «Le Otto Montagne » Their first « joint venture » as a directing duo calls for a sequel ✌️
3. 🎬Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne 🙌 They received a special prize for their film «Tori & Lokita» on the occasion of the Festival’s 75th birthday🎂
Their ninth feature film presented in competition, tells the story of two young exiles with an unbreakable bond, who have come to settle in Belgium.
🙌✌️🎬
Top of the Bill; « le Palme d’Or » goes to the Swedish director Ruben Ostlünd, for the second time. His satire “Triangle of Sadness”, starring Woody Harrelson, succeeds «The Square»(Palme d’Or 2017)
Palme d’Or 2022: «Triangle of Sadness» starring Woody Harrelson. A satire in which a pair of models find themselves at a crossroads in their careers. Fashion model couple Carl and Yaya are invited on a luxury cruise. When the yacht sinks they become stranded on a desert island with a group of billionaires and a cleaning lady.
🎬🏆
A little twist we discovered as a small addition to our ArtistCongratz-Trivia: The Winner of the Palme d’Or and your editor seem to have a certain date of birth in common🍾April 13th 🎂🥳🎬
While our finest filmfruit is being presented in Cannes as we blog;-), these music icons 🇧🇪 are shining along our own sunny seaside.
The particular Hall of Fame (Eregalerij) we are referring to may be local but the songs within AND their creators reach WAY beyond Belgian borders.
ArtistCongratz gladly adds some more international spotlight to our radionetworks tribute this week at Kursaal Ostend. A scintillating music gala, long overdue because of obvious reasons, finally could celebrate 🎶legends as our soul and popsensation Soulsister and soundwizard Wouter Van Belle.
On top of that two iconic songs are being included in the hall of fame.
Enjoy a zoom with a view, quite the sound and one or two backgroundstories…
Happy to reconnect with one of our finest writers🎶📚🇧🇪. Jan Leyers, One half 🎸of Soulsister, the showstopper of the evening with a sparkling performance of their signature song🎼 “The Way to Your Heart” Soulsister in jumping boomerang modeYes, this is him, the other Soulsister-showstopper. But actually they’re just “starting”. With a brandnew single called “I Need Your Love”, produced by youngster Jasper Maekelberg, Music Industry Awardwinner as in: best producerAlways a pleasure to talk to a sound wizard. Without Wouter Van Belle no legendary piano intro of “Mia”, a song that is like a true anthem in Belgium. He has also worked his magic🎶 for Axelle Red, Novastar, Noordkaap, Milk The Bishop, Jo Lemaire, Stash and many more…“Soldiers of Love”, Eurovisionsong written by singer Liliane Saint Pierre herself, thirty five years ago, while she was watching the news. Sadly history keeps repeating itself but her song remains a timeless beaken of hope. And an inspiration to a whole new generation for that matter. Our junior channel formation Like Me covers their very own version. Wouldn’t it be awesome to make it a duet between the two?Young talent 🇧🇪 Pommelien Thys, paying tribute to Stefaan Fernande, a true songwriting legend who sadly and way too early passed away recently. Tons of evergreens came from his creative and imaginative mind. Scars (Stan Van Samang), Porselein (Porcelain) Yasmine, and Vuurwerk (Fireworks) by Camille to name just a few. Next tribute came from one of our most cherished bands 🇧🇪🎶⬇️Clouseau aka brothers Koen and Kris Wauters singing for Stefaan. Nobelprijs (Nobelprize) is a classic written by this maker of so many unforgettable songs✍️🎼Only one voice can pay tribute to the beloved Icon Arno this way. Hear hear Stijn Meuris 🎤Oh la la! Magnifique! Rock ‘n roll never dies idd 🤟🌖No comment, just ArtistCongratz!!!🎉🔛check our TikTokpage for more amazing footage 🎶🎥🤳
This week we “fly” from euroglitter towards a golden gala at the French Riviera.
Figure of speech that is, although yours truly has worked red and blue carpets in Cannes before and might return, this year we write remotely from the homecountry of some remarkable filmmakers, shining behind AND in front of lenses, as we speak.
Given no less then five stars ⭐️ by The Guardian🇬🇧, first in line is 📽”Le Otto Montagne”🇮🇹🇫🇷🇧🇪 (The Eight Mountains) AND in the running for the very wanted “Palme d’Or” (Official Competition)
Our fellow nationals Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen, golden couple in more ways then one, are living a very exciting week as we speak. The winner will be revealed on Saturday.🤞
Interview near La Croisette by Cinevox (repost, shared in Story)
Felix, Ghent based, already holds a dazzling director’s curriculum; The Broken Circle Breakdown and Beautiful Boy are just a few of his gems that conquered silver screens everywhere. Felix’ work truly embodies the meaning of the word MOVIE. The most moving scenes being key, almost like a trade mark.
This time he joins forces with Charlotte Vandermeersch, his partner in “climbing” 📖🎞 The Eight Mountains, “translating” Paolo Cognetti’s eponymous novel to the big screen.
Palme 🤞 or no Palme ▶️ We can’t wait to go see “Le Otto Montagne”.
Or read it first for that matter⬇️ because in Belgium we will have to wait until the fall to watch this baby.
The book tells the story about a lonely city boy named Pietro. He lives in Milan with his strict father, a chemist, and his sweet mother, a social worker. The family has one passion: the mountains.
In the village of Grana, at the foot of Monte Rosa, the father buys a country house, where the family spends their summer vacations. Pietro meets a local boy there, Bruno. Their friendship is the thread that runs through the novel. Young Pietro is initiated by his father into exploring the mountains. The mountains gradually become a way of thinking for Pietro.
Once an adult, he makes several trips to Nepal, but he always returns to Grana and Bruno. In the second part of the novel, he goes into the mountains in search of himself.
With regret, he observes how the mountains are losing their beauty as they increasingly fall into the hands of tourism. The title of the novel refers to a Nepali story, which depicts the world as a wheel with eight mountains.
In the center is the highest mountain, Sumeru.
This beautiful Coming-of-age-novel deservedly won the Premio Strega in 2017. 🗻🏔
More Belgian cinema coming up in Cannes this week! Next in line are Lukas Dhont with “Close”🎞 and our flashing filmduo Adil El Arbi and Bilal Fallah with “Rebel”.🎥
вітаю! Congratz to Ukraina! The invaded country manages to conquer the heart of Europe, in more ways than one. Eighteen years after Ruslana and her Wild Dances prevailed in Istanbul, and six years after Jamala won in Stockholm, Malush Orchestra repeats the victory in “Torino”🎶
Did the best song win last night? Maybe not. But something greater seems to have occurred across Europe that will for ever mark this 66th Eurovision contest in history.
Overwhelming support beyond an entire continent 🇪🇺for a country in dire straits because of the most lame invasion.
💙🏆 💛
“Wicked” Runner up United Kingdom 🇬🇧 said it all when interviewed by leading Lady Laura Pausini.
Here’s what Eurovision is all about:
« Unity, peace, love, togetherness! »
and let’s not forget “The Muse”: The Sound of Beauty indeed:
Here’s your blog’s personal Top 5, besides Ukraine 🇺🇦and Belgium 🇧🇪 of course;-). Well done Jérémie and Cie!
1. 🇳🇱The Netherlands “De Diepte” by a fine fairy from the North called S10 – Oooh, aaah; her song and her lived voice went deeep🎵👸- Stien appeared in a stylish black designersuit by Viktor & Rolf.
2. 🇮🇹Italia “Brividi” by Alessandro Mahmood and Blanco- « Grazie ancora per il 7 per Belgió e il 12 per questa profonda espressione olandese 🇳🇱 » Your own song really gave us « shivers » Or rather «Brividi»🎶📳
3. 🇪🇸Spain – The fastest «Slo Mo» ever by Chanel also wins “cutest bling costume” 🏟🐂👯♀️, What’s in a name?
4. 🇲🇹Malta – «I am what I am» True that, Emma Muscat sure knows how to put her Piano on Top🎹
5. 🇳🇴Norway – « Give that Wolf A Banana » Congratz Subwoolfer, Dances-With-Wolves🎬-is-now-officially-revisited🐺🍌🙃
Some more impressions of a swirling evening into a night full of suspense🔃
A Tik Tok star⏳ was in for a “wicked win”, almost…✌️🇬🇧 Congratz 🏃♂️ 🆙Sam -Space Man- Ryder! 🥈A very special mention for Laura Pausini, her stunning intro medley, dazzling x times changing wardrobe, and her a cappella performance accompanied by the entire audience in Turin. “Nel blu di pinto di blu…Volare.”💓 Also CONGRATULAZIONI on a magnificent presentation by Laura, Mika (flanking Laura in the boomerang♻️🔼) and Italian tv host Alessandro Cattelan🙌👌, by her side in the Volare moment.⬇️All time classic “Nel blú di pinto di blú is like a true Italian anthem worldwide🎶💙
Hope you didn’t miss out on the stunning performances by last years winner/revelation Måneskin and the one in 1964(!) Gigliola Cinquetti. They highlighted the evening while points were gathered from all 41 countries including Australia🇦🇺
« Supermodel », 🆕song by Måneskin🤌 the band’s badass bassplayer (also a millenniumbaby like our Jérémie), Victoria de Angelis rocks and embodies just that 🎸👯♀️ As well as lead singer Damiano David of course. A new virtual? statue of “The David” is in order. Michelangelo just might inspire a next Måneskinsong💭 🎵 🎑🌚
Gigliola, still a vision, and only 16 when she won in 1964🥇Did you know she participated twice? In 1974, coming in 2nd after ABBA (Waterloo) with only 6 points less then the Swedish fabulous four 🎶
Germany 🇩🇪turned out to be the ultimate underdog of the evening but Malik Harris took it like A RockStar, gracefully. « Your song, your win ❤️🩹 »
And last but certainly not least a thank you 🤗note to Serbia🇷🇸 to remind us of our basic Covidproof duties 🧺💦🧽🧴🚻 in order to be and stay healthy. “Biti zdrava, biti zdrava” means just that! Health IS our most precious gift 🎁 😷🩺⚕️ Music helps us to cherish it, an ultimate key to our well being 🎼
Ciao Torino, alla prossima! Belgium for host!🇧🇪❤️🩹🇺🇦❓
And please do so in favour of a small country with a smooth seaside up north, ancient cities to discover and a great voice coming from the middle.
Is there a chance that Jérémie Makiese, our charming contestant this year follows in Måneskins footsteps?
Here are five reasons why you should vote for Belgium🇧🇪
Welcome to Belgium 🇧🇪🎶📺 (Atomium (c) Sofam)
1. It’s been a while since our last and one and only victory #1986 #j’aimelavie #sandrakim
2. Belgians are the biggest Måneskinfans worldwide 🇮🇹😋 “ Rock’n roll never dies!”
3. Millenniumbaby Jérémie Makiése is a born winner. He’s one of the most talented artists of “The Voice Belgique”, following stars like Loic Nottet and Blanche🇧🇪(remember her scoring many points in Kyiv (2017) with her innovative popsong City Lights🎵)
4. Not only does Jeremie perform his summerhit-in-the-making like a pro. He also wrote “Miss You” himself, along with co-composers Silvio Lisbonne and Manon Romiti.
5. Brussels is a fine Capital with capital C to host the contest in 2023🎶 📺🎵👍
It’s all in your hands dear Eurovisioners!🙌
Jeremie in full Eurovisionmode during the second final just last Thursday
We might be a small country. But stuffed with creative 🎶talent that reaches beyond our borders, it sure has earned its spot on the worlds map 🗺 of maestro’s 🎼in every “stream”.
Courtesy of vzw Atomium, design André Waterkeyn (c) Sofam
Last Sunday, lot’s of ArtistCongratZ in order for the 🎶crème de la crème 🎼of these past few agonizing Covidyears. Just around the corner of our national pride, the Atomium, Palace 12 finally could open its doors again for our local Grammy’s.
In Belgium they are called The Mia’s, short for Music Industry Awards. A dazzling show was covered by our national tv channel VRT in a live broadcast cohosted by vi.be for music, a national supporting organization for our musicians & composers.
For starters, all eyes and ears were focused on another one of our national prides. A different but one of a kind. So young but so resourceful and one great female ambassador for our country. Following the great Jacques Brels footsteps, she does honours to our sweet capital Brussels with a Capital B…
“Bruxelles, Bruxelles je t’aime”😍Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪 and the world sure do love Angèle as well as her many other border breaking songs like “Ta Reine”, “Que du Love” & “Fever”, duet with no other then Dua Lipa. Winning this issues Hit-award.
Angèle especially flew back from her on going tour in the UK to be able to collect her multiple Awards in person. Followed by remote spoken moving Congratz from Dua Lipa. Not to mention these written ones by yours truly;-)
Let ArtistCongratz show you around other Belgian 🎶kings and queens 🎼of the starry evening in our shining photogallery. You might even discover a real princess 👸🏻 presenting an award.
Background info is included!
Meet Jasper Maekelberg, musician 🎹🥁and winning producer, known for his project Faces On Tv but also responsable for many captivating sounds of successful Belgian bands and artists like Gabriel Rios, Jef Neve, Soulsister, Hypochristmutreefuzz, Bazart, Warhola and many more. Like this next nightingale in our virtual hall of fame⬇️A Vision (here in a Gucci-featherlike look) on Stages and Red Carpets. Sylvie Kreusch is the name. “WALK WALK” 🎶that Catwalk. And the Stage.🎤👸🏻 (check out AC’s instastories for our compilation matching her angelic sound and our TikTokpage for more “moving” footage) Sylvie wins a MIA for best Artwork for her Album “ Montbray”Our Pride and Joy of parties AND afterparties. Reginald Penxten aka REGI. Winner of his first “solo Mia”. , following many others with different projects. Not just a dj pur sang for decades now. Constantly reinventing himself he knows just how to make other gems shine ✨🎶👌⬇️Jake Reese and OT aka Olivia Trappeniers, are just two of those gems REGI featuring 💎 A Lifetime Achievement doesn’t stop these two. The Way to Your Heart, one of many sweets in their earcandystore also topped in the US. On May 25 Soulsister aka Paul Michiels & Jan Leyers will be honored in another Hall Of Fame Balthazar strikes again, two MIA’s, among which the very wanted award for best live act 🙌In Belgium we have an “artistprincess”, called Delphine de Saxe de Cobourg 🎨. She occasionally dances with the Stars and on Sunday she rocked it by winking at “Queens” world-song. We will, we will rock you🎶🙌👏🙌👏🙌This handsome smiley face is a singersongwriter known as Metejoor. He scores a Miahattrick!An Antwerp based rapper called Tourist LeMc adds another MIA to his collectionYour ArtistCongratz editor chatting with 1/2 Soulsister, Mister Paul -P.P. Michiels. CONGRATZZ!!
Congratulations are also in order for Jean Kluger. An icon among musicprofessionals. The man behind the scenes of worldwide hits like this one⬇️ which surely will ring a bell!
From the Golden to the Silver State, 💍it’s one small step for artists but one giant leap for artistcongratz ;-)🥄
Oscartoxedo’s back in the closet, out with the Grammyruffles!🌺
Belles of the ball inside and out? In our humble opinion; Miss Mika Newton 🇺🇦🇺🇸who gave it her all accompanied by John Legend🎹
Mrs. Legend Chrissy Teigen, a Vision in fuchsia close to pink, Dua Lipa wearing classy black by Atelier Versace topped with a stunning Bulgaritouch
Of course Lady Gaga in a cloud of Springgreen tulle👗.(one of many outfits of the evening) We say hail to this Springqueen of melodies and hearts. The way she paid tribute to Liza Minnelli at the Oscars last month was beyond 👌W O R L D C L A S S 👌 But this week she wins her thirteenth Grammy. Congratz!🏆
Grammywise: Last but not least was also shining pretty hard: fresh found four times grammy winner this year: Olivia Rodrigo 👸🏻🎤🎵
Best new artist Olivia Rodrigo is only nineteen years old. Picture shared by @umusicmexico #repost @recordingacademy
𝒢😍🌺❀𝒹 𝒻❁𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇 🎤🎶and we are not ironic 💞
Don’t forget to check out our TikTok and instastories for music, looks & lyrics at a glance 👸🏻
Artists paid their respects to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who recently passed away, way too soon. An immense loss 🎶✨Grammy host Trevor Noah paid him a moving tribute. A posthumous Grammy was also awarded to the legendary Mariachisinger Vicente Fernandez .🇲🇽
The Awardsshow also contained a powerful message from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenski:
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through aniway” (President Volodymyr Zelenski🇺🇦)
In Lalaland🎶🎵🎬 A lot went on this week. From PianoDay🎹 to the Oscars▶️📺📲
So ArtistCongratz needs to catch up. First of all ArtistCongratz stands with the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦 as the Academy and all of you do💙💛🕊☮️✌️Let’s hope this awful conflict gets a swift and peaceful solution without anymore innocent casualties.
In Tinseltown luckily a tiny war should remain a storm in a glass of water.
The « princident » will surely turn into this years smashing meme. But ArtistCongratz stands with kings, queens as well as fresh princes and princesses who deserve to be defended. There seems to be no bad party here. Deep respect to Chris Rock for standing tall throughout his little rage-on-stage-ordeal but Will should not stop shining eather. Keep cool, hands in your pockets 🥊and show off that precious shiny golden fellow, well deserved for an amazing performance as “King Richard” 👑👟
History’s repeating itself empowering the women who incarnate Venus, Serena🎾👸🏾 🎾👸🏾 and their mama. By an actress with the most flairful name we ever came across. ᴀᴜɴᴊᴀɴᴜᴇ Ellis didn’t win the Oscar but that doesn’t diminish her stunning performance in the moving biopic.
Also welldeserved ArtistCongratz to these young guns. One day a brother and a sister decided to compose a winning Bondtheme. Quite the achievement. Leaving teen queen Billie Eilish pretty shaken-not-stirred on the Dolbystage.
🎵🎶This year’s 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ topper « No Time to Die » was written by miss Eilish and her senior brother Finneas O’ Connell. Only 24, he already holds no less than six Grammy’s👌🏆🎯 But there’s still room for an Oscar in the closet. Impressive.
Congratulations are also in order for a legendary composer of music in film. Hans Zimmer strikes again. This time for Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve, based on the sci fi classic novel by Frank Herbert📖🌌
That also applies to Jessica Chastain 👸🏼 Best actress in a leading role in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”, another biopic that tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, growing up in Minnesota through the rise and fall of her televangelism career.
Movie epic “The Power Of The Dog” turned out to be the underdog at this years Academy Awards but Aussie Jane Campion, who also made classic «The Piano» takes the best Directorstatue down under🙌 🇦🇺
In her speech Jane did not fail to reference the author Thomas Savage, stating “He wrote about cruelty, wanting the opposite; kindness.” Hear hear.🙌
But the most moving moment of the evening goes to « Coda ». The sound of silence and speech are now united in a moving motion picture.
Special Congratz to Troy Kotsur! He wins the Oscar as an Actor in a Supporting role. Along with co-star Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her part in “Children Of A Lesser God”, he’s only the second deaf actor to win an Academy Award. Applause 👐👐👐🤲👋👋
👐👐👐👐👐🙌🙌🙌🙌And the Vintage Oscar goes to…🥳🙃And thank you for the bedtimestories Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina -Single-Queen-King. Pyjamaparty at the Oscars ⭐️
As soon as Spring is within range, Eurovisionfever rises. But before moving to La Bella Italia thanks to one of the most succesfull winners of all time -Keep-shining-Måneskin- 🇮🇹🇩🇰ArtistCongratz would like to take you to a trip down memorylane.
München. April 1983. One of the most controversial Belgian Eurovision Entries ever is about to stun Europe.
Pas De Deux did not miss their Rendez-Vous with Belgian Music history.
Although they stranded in 18th place, the song remains legendary till this day.
Truth is Pas de Deux were way ahead of their time.
How cool it would be to help rediscover this cultsong once again by a whole new generation.
Now is the time.
Writer of the sing-along, Walter Verdin is proud to present a brandnew remastered live version as it was accompanied by the symphonic orchestra in München on April 23rd 1983.
Walter: Besides Spotify, it will also be available on CD and Vinyl. With the Eurovision logo etched inside the album as a bonus. I’ve always wanted to record the song with the original sound of the orchestra in München…
Walter Verdin presents Pas De Deux anno 2022
Rendez-Vous has lyrics that are as genius as they are brief and simple,
Rendez vous, maar de maat is vol en mijn kop is toe, basically means:
A date, but I’ve had enough and my head is « closed » but this album also contains the official English version in which the lyrics are slightly different but not lost in translation
“Better give it up, I don’t have a clue”
The repeated chorus on strong beats and symphonic orchestra strengthen the tune.
But enough talk, just listen and (re)discover Rendez Vous by Pas De Deux.
Special bulletin!! Referring to my latest post about a gifted pianist and music writer named Daniel Verstappen! A fellow countryman to be truly proud of🦚🇧🇪🎹
This February is a very busy and fulfilling month for the blooming career of this young talent. Cherry on the cake: a brandnew release on the 25th. Called “Transformation”.
Before a planned prospecting trip to Budapest, not only was he an invited and performing guest at the Belgian Pavilion @ Dubai Expo, he got to treat our Royal Highness’s to an unforgettable pianoconcerto🎹 underneath the Burj Khalifa.
And because pictures and images can tell you more than a thousand words, ArtistCongratz is pleased to present this unique exclusive photo gallery by the maestro himself. Relax, sit back and Enjoy the view👀
Music Maestro🎹👑Her Royal Highness the Queen of Belgium 🇧🇪 In full performance mode with Wim Hoste👸🏻Entourage always matters 👸🏻 #belgianfolklore 👒💃Work of Art 🇧🇪in the Belgian Pavilion by the artist Charles Kasin, picture by DaniëlDaniël (r) with Charles Kasin (in the middle)Daniels brandnew “baby”, Artwork by Michel Kurylac. Read more about how these two match in my previous post✍️Clear Skies in Dubai🛩🌌
Remember to keep discovering more gems on…ArtistCongratz▶️brand-new on TikTok by the way♥️✔️feel free to follow🧭
Time is of the essence ▶️⏳✔️
🇧🇪▶️🎶🇦🇪My own in-between-Coronawaves-Reconnection with Daniël ✌️🙌
ArtistCongratz makes Christmas last a little longer! 💫With a Carol written in ebony and ivory🎹🥂
Favorite instrument of yours truly, in ex aequo with a Word keyboard;)⌨️
But we suspect that the artist in today’s picture “wears” his piano 24/7. Next level it is for…Daniel Verstappen🎹👐
Connecting people through music is his mission. Now more than ever…No wonder that his latest compositions are gathered in an album called “Reconnection”▶️
ArtistCongratz was lucky enough to discover them live through a spectacular audiovisual performance last November in C-Mine Genk. Right before Covid closed the doors to audiences once again…
But then again, this means more time to create new music…🎼
Daniel: Correct! 🙂 Again like last year we’re going through a period where live concerts are not easy to organise. Meanwhile the public is afraid to visit theaters or concert halls. Therefore I am really happy that my concert on November 24th. happened in full constellation.
Casual meets chic ;)🥂🎶
All December concerts have been cancelled and postponed till 2022. That’s really sad of course, but compared to last year I can accept it more.
Last year was really hard. I never experienced something like this before. Like so many artists, not being able to do what you love. Performing live on stage.
I love to compose as well but it’s that connection between creating, alone at the piano and showing the result to an audience. That’s the beautiful outcome of the life of a musician or artist.🎶🎵
What I am planning the next weeks and already doing, is indeed composing a few new songs. One of them I want to release soon. An electronic song that goes a little further in my way of combining the piano with electronics. 😉
Besides composing and releasing new music I am focusing on my international tour, by meeting with new contacts abroad…
AC: “Reconnection” mainly wants to connect in these isolating times. How do you plan on doing that in anticipation of more concerts?
Daniel: Last fall and winter 2021 I actually proceeded with my goal and vision to connect people trough these isolating times.
It’s harder to do this physically so I try to connect with my audience through social media.
Daniel also stays in touch with his fans through a newsletter. Cherry on the cake: A Christmas video, his version of “Carol of the bells” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd2LJpbdH6k
Daniel: For my own sake, I feel I need some rest. This was an extremely challenging and really busy year for my career actually.
But beautiful things occurred. So many changes have been made in a good way.
I am driven by energy and dedication. But for now I listen to my body. It needs to charge, so I can rise up again! 😀
As an artist you give so much of yourself, in my case I put my life experiences in my songs. On stage they come alive in an immersive live experience with lights & visuals. So together with the unstable world we’re living in, I came to understand that it’s really important to balance your life even more. And I do this trough mental and physical sport at home
While I’m working or even now answering your questions, I have background music that gives me energy and the right mood for the moment to focus. 🙂
AC: Can you tell us more about the making of the animation film we saw in Genk? By Michel Kurylac.
Daniel: As a creator, I like to combine music with modern art and virtual designs. RISE is an uplifting song with many electronic waves. My uncle Michel Kurylac is a talented artist, who made this video completely by hand, with Artificial Intelligence.
While I was brainstorming about the video for RISE, I was thinking about his work and when we sat together we came up with the same idea of collaborating. Almost simultaneously. I honestly can say he made a masterpiece. The songs come alive as well as the visuals come more alive. RISE Tells the story of the distant future from which a completely different entity has taken over our world. The stone rising from the sand symbolizes a new civilization, the creatures that exist resemble humans. A world that has changed without consumption, money or power. The story is actually a painting in motion, an illusion. Let’s Rise up!
AC: Tell us more about your connection with Patrick Claesen (Pat Krimson) and Loredana. I hope she’s not after yourpiano?;)
Daniel: 😂 , That’s a funny story. 🙂 I’ve met Loredana at a release party in Antwerp. Presenting DJ Grace, who also appears in “Monacovrouwen” (Ed. Note: realityshow broadcasted in Flanders)
We clicked and during the lockdown we started to collaborate with Pat Krimson and producer Serge Ramakers.
Most of the time we met at Loredana’s and Pat home in Zonhoven for the meetings. I recently moved to Zonhoven, so that was really easy to meet each other ofcourse. The song was finlised in the studio of Serge Ramakers end of July when I was in Varna (Bulgaria) for my Reconnection Tour. It was really funny to hear the song when I was abroad, because I was giving comments trough the phone by whats app. And there was then the result, which we released in October.
Besides the song & video Carol Of the Bells like i’ve spoken before I will enjoy this Christmas fully with family and friends.
I am really looking forward to these moments, because even these things we don’t take for granted anymore.
To kick off 2022 we will be organising, planning and proceeding my International Reconnection Tour for 2022 – 2023 in East and North Europe and and also trying to go to Asia. Beginning of February I will also go to Dubai Expo, on behalf of the Belgian Day on February 5th.
The concerts that were supposed to take place in December 2021 will be postponed to fall and winter 2022.
About the international Reconnection Tour, I will keep you posted on dates, places and venues! 😉
AC: Thank you Daniël! Congratz again and we look forward to see you shine again. in Dubai 🤩and closer to home 🏡
Anything else you would you like to share with the readers of Artistcongratz?
Daniel: I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and festive end of the year with a new harmonious 2022 to come.🎄🥂
I would like to reach new souls and hearts, so please connect with me trough my music and social media 😉
As a child he particularly enjoyed watching Daan and other musical heroes play near his hometown. Triple the funfactor in 2021, from the moment singer songwriter Tom Verbeeck 🎤enters that same stage with his own band Bosum. 🎸
Since Tom and his wingmen released their debut album “Ghostwood Country Club”, it’s been warmly received by press, public and pro’s.
About time ArtistCongratz immerses in soothing dreampop.
Bosum in concert @ the Meent
“Zennevallei meets Twin Peaks”
AC: There’s an intriguing angle. How do you rhyme those two? Should residents be worried?
Tom: The Zennevallei may look like a small town but there are a lot of different people living in that area.
I grew up there so the place has a profound meaning for me. It is all about social interaction, the storylines between the inhabitants. Twin Peaks may look like a quiet place, but There is a lot going on between the people who live There. That triggers me. All those little stories in that small town.
Blinding lights 🎵
Besides Toms very own version of “Blinding lights”, “Ghostwood countryclub” contains original songs like “Cherry” and “Smell of your hair in the morning”
AC: Why “Blinding Lights”? What’s the story behind the choice of that cover from The Weeknd?
Tom: I was picking on a new guitar and started whispering the lyrics of Blinding lights on it. I don’t know why, but it kinda worked out. Sometimes it just happens.🧚♀️🎼
AC: How about the other Bosumoriginals? Do you have a signature song? Any striking anekdotes whilst writing them we should know about?
Tom: “Waves” is the song on the album that I cherish the most. It is also one of the last songs that I wrote right before we recorded the album.
I got to meet Tom right after his live album release show at The Meent, we both live in The Zennevallei. (Picture by Thomas)
Tom: A funny anekdote about “Cherry”: I had a Melody in my head but no lyrics yet. One night I sung the following lyrics over the chords of the chorus ‘anyway you will stay in law school’. My girlfriend was going through a rough uni moment that week. Later, I changed the lyrics in ‘anyway will you stay tonight’.
AC: I read that Bosum is (among others)inspired by Cocteau Twins?
Tom: Bosum is inspired by a lot of dreamy artists. I love to make music that draws and moves me. I listened a lot to contemporary Indie artists, but also a lot to the good older stuff. The Cure, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star ⭐️ ,.. all class acts.
AC: Where will Ghostwood Countryclub be released?
Tom: Everywhere!
AC: Other thoughts and future plans you would like to share with ArtistCongratz?
Tom: I would love to record more albums and play some cool gigs!
AC: Looking forward to that!🔮🎤🎸⭐️🎵
Rumor has it that yours truly is fond of indie gems. No wonder that this earcandy seemed the best choice for a first live concert 🎵 in over a year. Check.
What’s in a bandname? You might actually slowly fall in love with the aur(or)a of Isa Holliday and her surrounding soundwizards.
The good news is you don’t have to prepare for Slow Crushbutterflies 🦋
Just check out upcoming gigs and go with the flow like I did last week @Botanique Brussels.
Front lady Isa in full Slow Crush mode, on her left: Jelle, alledgedly « just making noise » so the wingman likes to shear 💥🎸
This roaring music temple in our capital was the perfect spot to officially welcome “Hush”, a new fairy baby -or-should-we-rather-call-it-a-cub-🐯🐾- into the Slow Crushfamily. 🎵
Even the accidental pouring rain from the actual recording of “Lull”was present @Bota, additional drums for Freddy ;-)check✔️ ( 🥁💦 🎶🎵🎸)
Meet & greet with the Fairy herself – Picture by Ireen 📸
Isa: “Lull has two meanings, it can be a lullaby, as in rocking a baby but also a dip on your track…”
Sheltered from the showers outside, the cosy arena @La Rotonde became pretty crowded in no time.
Track by track Isa, Jelle, Jeroen and Freddy swept the audience off their feet, eyes and ears.
On the menu: A lasting live “Reel” of soft smooth vocals blending in powerful riffs and beats. Congratz on the unique contrast!
And about that interlude in reverse 🔄◀️ keep going for it. A few shenanigans can’t hurt.
I only have one request, next time An “🎵Encore🎵 » svp ✔️🖤💜🎤🎶👏
Next chance to be part of a gloomy dream on stage? For my fellow Belgians and universal explorers passing through:
Trix-Antwerp: November 6th, Handelsbeurs Gent: November 12th Muziekodroom-Hasselt: Nov. 28th
Jeroen (front) & Freddy, captured in the look of sound
Back in January, while so many artists were still yearning for stage and audience, ArtistCongratz had a memorable chat with Isa, Freddy and… Natsuki. Don’t miss it.⬇️
ArtistCongratz 