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Rating: Antwerp is a stunning city. And Belgium (even though it may remind many only of seafood, clouds, and French jokes) is an extraordinary country. Especially musically. That's why this tribute, this "Antwerp Special", was born. Since the early '90s, around (but also parallel to) dEUS, a music scene of incredible creativity and quality developed in Antwerp and its surroundings. This series of interviews is dedicated to the main characters of that scene...
Milan. October 28th. Year of our Lord 2004.
Stef Kamil Carlens. Many know him as the first bassist of dEUS. Others know him as the mastermind behind Zita Swoon. Some may have seen him for the first time during the Songs With Other Strangers tour. Then, of course, there are those who consider him a genius. And rush to ask him seemingly intelligent questions, backstage at Casa 139, after one of his delightful concerts.
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? Have you been influenced by it in any way?
Skc: What, by the city? By the scene, yes, but not by the city. There were two clubs in the center of Antwerp, one was called Oerwoud which means "jungle" and the other was called De Muziekdoos which means "music box" and you know, there were a lot of people who liked music and we spent time there. In one of these clubs, you could also play music, so we played there almost every night, it was very nice. It was fertile ground both for bands and music. Even Buni, Simon, and the guys from DAAU were there, and then Rudy (Trouvé), Tom (Barman)... a lot of people.
If you could put together a super-band with your favorite artists of all time, who would be in it?
Skc: There would be Angus Young on guitar, Jah Wobble on bass, on drums (speaks in Flemish with his bassist, doesn't remember the name)... I don't remember the name of the drummer, a very good one... But I wouldn't want a supergroup, I'm really happy with my band. However, I do have favorite musicians, of course... Who would be the singer? It would definitely be... it would definitely be Joni Mitchell, yes! Angus Young on guitar and Joni Mitchell on vocals! (laughs)
Who are Jintro Sarto and Josie (recurring characters in Zita Swoon's songs, see other reviews)?
Skc: Uh, they are just characters. She is... I don't know... (Maybe it's a personal thing?) No, it's not personal, it's not a real person, it's just a character I'm trying to develop, inspired by some real things: it's not a real person but is inspired by real people.
Future projects? You wrote a soundtrack and are now involved in Songs With Other Strangers...
Skc: Yes, yes. We'll play in January, the first show is in Naples I believe, with Cesare (Basile), John Parish, Hugo Race, the singer of... Giant Sand, what’s his name? Greg? I don’t remember. I'm not sure, it was Cesare who organized everything, we met, and he asked if I wanted to join, and I'm happy to do it.
Last question: do you miss holding Tom Barman's hand (in the Suds & Soda video and in the Via video they were holding hands)?
Skc: (laughs) Yes, I miss it. I talked to him the other day, he called me, he said he wrote a piece in the style of Roses and asked if I wanted to sing it with him. It will be interesting to see Mauro’s (Pawlowski) contribution to the new record as well.
...and who is not eagerly awaiting the new dEUS record? Certainly one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year. Luckily, the wait was made less burdensome by the tones of Zita Swoon and other illustrious Antwerp bands, of which you will soon know more.
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