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Rating: Antwerp is a stunning city. And Belgium (even though it reminds many only of seafood, clouds, and French jokes) is an extraordinary country. Especially musically. That's why this tribute is born, this "Antwerp Special". Since the early '90s, around (but also parallel to) dEUS, a music scene of incredible creativity and quality has developed in and around Antwerp. This series of interviews is dedicated to the main characters of that scene...
We could call him the uncle of Antwerp. He is one of the most fertile and active minds in the city.
He was on the first dEUS album and has launched a thousand musical projects of his own and collaborated with musicians of the caliber of Lou Barlow and Steve Albini.
He dabbles in painting, founded a label (HeavenHotel), opened a website (deadbeattown.com) that became the Bible of the Belgian music scene, and when he has a minute free, he even answers my questions:
1) Where are you? What are you doing at this precise moment? What are you wearing?
At home, in Antwerp, sitting at the table, writing this sentence. I'm wearing a big red nose, a top hat, extremely large pants, and fishing boots... No, I'm simply dressed in black.
2) Since the early '90s, the Belgian and Antwerp scene has been very active: dEUS, Dead Man Ray, Zita Swoon are just the tip of the iceberg... What do you think about it? Have you been influenced by it in any way?
Since I'm part of it (or have been in these groups or know these people), I find it difficult to have an objective opinion. I think most cities have a scene, bands go to the same bars, see the same concerts. If a band grabs the people's attention, soon other bands will follow. I think I am less influenced by the people I know than by the records I've listened to. That said, I must add that essentially the act of living, including all its aspects, has been a great influence.
3) If you could put together a super-band with your favorite artists of all time, who would be in it?
Hard to say. And each day you'd get a different answer. Today's answer:
Piano: Mark Springer
Guitar: Andy Gill
Vocals: Lowell George
Bass: Mike Watt
Guitar: Jimi Hendrix
Drums: Han Bennink
Guitar: Mark Ribot
Trumpet: Chet Baker
Backing vocals: Lou Barlow, John Cale, Nick Drake, Van Morrison, Brigitte Fontaine, Françoise Hardy, Eno
4) The Love Substitutes, Dead Man Ray, Rudy Trouvé's Sextet... how many bands are you involved with at the moment? How do you write songs? When you start writing a song, do you already know which band will work on it?
I play with: The Love Substitutes, The Rudy Trouvé Sextet, Donkey Punch, Central, Dead Man Ray, I Hate Camera's, Franco Saint de Bakker.
Most of the time, I write songs starting from a vague theoretical idea. Or I write lyrics first and then the music. Or I impulsively grab my guitar and a song comes out. Most of the time, I know where the song will end up. Sometimes it just goes to the band I'm currently engaged with.
5) How is your label, HeavenHotel, doing? Any new releases we should be aware of?
The Heaven Hotel is doing well. New releases: The Love Substitutes, OW, Franco Saint de Bakker.
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