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.⬇️
No spoilers just get lucky! That’s the spirit of this blogpost🥰
Lots of virtual hugs for the makers of one of the most scintillating performances I ever witnessed. The experience WAS pure serendipity. In Dutch for now but so universal it should be translated!
Woodman in full « Lubricantmode »
Without revealing too much; « Lubricant for Life » brings you innovative theater and takes storytelling to unprecedented levels.
Every performance is unique because of the sublime interaction between the makers and the audience. So please my fellow Northern belgians by all means go see this play MORE than ONCE🙏🦃
I myself was mostly moved by the degree of generosity these artists manage to translate to the stage in such a way that it is not only a tribute to Life itself but also to multiple art forms.
This Tuesday in Brussels’ Bozar: Joke Emmers & Tanya Zabarylo, Leading ladies to Lubricant For Life💗
And just a small advice dear Woodmanizers, make the drumsolo last a little longer 😉 and a message in a blog 🍼I definitely wanted to respond to your sweet invitation, I just needed a little less stage freight 😉 next time I will rise to the occasion, sorry for now🍯🐻🤎
And by all means, spread «Lubricant for life » in every language please. Congratz!!
Usually this blog takes on a different kind of artists but nowadays I find myself under the soccer spell;-) What a better way to start a newfound summer with the grass that binds Europe.🇪🇺🇧🇪
I came to this conclusion in five acts. At the risk of sounding lyrical: especially since my country has a very good chance of winning this European championship🇧🇪🤞🤞🏆
1. Soccer is Film 🎥
2. Soccer is Drama 🎭
3. Soccer is Music 🎶
4. Soccer is Fashion👚
5. Soccer is Art 🖼
1.Mind those reruns in slo mo…Corners, angles, bird perspective…#blockbuster
4. Pink & Turcqoise are the new black! The field has become a true runway! The latest trend? Pastel fluo shoes seem to be the new must haves for every player🦋 #newprojectrunway
5. When that body language hits the big green, players unfold their ultimate movements, in result of years of practice and talent coaching. #artistcongratz
Soccer is all that! Never offside where this insider is concerned😇Keep scoring those goals ⚽️ #reddevils
Off to the Finnish! 😉 Fingers crossed for tonight in beautiful Saint Petersburg, one of the most artful cities ever:
ArtistCongratz 