Geppetto & The Whales

GEPPETTO & THE WHALES (ALBUM PRESENTATION)

With their acoustic guitar-based pop songs, Geppetto & The Whales have managed to attract a significant following in Flanders. After the success of their debut single Juno and their place in the finale of Humo’s Rock Rally, they are now ready to release their first full album. Heads of Woe – to be released on January 17, 2014 – is a mature album, showcasing a band that has grown tremendously over the past two years.

The album’s first radio single, 1814, is proof of that. It is a darkly beautiful love song, based on a true and fascinating story. Willem, a poor peasant from the town of Loenhout was forced to fight the Russians under Napoleon, leaving behind his one true love. After years of hardship and seeing his best friend die, Willem gets a prominent position as a member of a rich Russian’s housekeeping staff, saving his life. One night, however, he decides to sneak out to return to Flanders. He succeeds and is finally reunited with his sweetheart in Loenhout.

It is that feeling of intense happiness that Sander Sterkens of Geppetto & The Whales wants to convey. The song is sometimes subtle, sometimes childishly enthusiastic, but never loses sight of its initial goal.

For Heads of Woe, Geppetto & The Whales collaborated with producer Thom Monahan, the man who launched Beachwood Sparks and Devendra Banhart. On March 19, the band will be playing the album front to back at the Handelsbeurs.

De Morgen:
“… no other band in the line-up played as tight or as confident. Their wondrous vocal harmonies reminded us of Fleet Foxes, while the banjo was borrowed from Mumford & Sons. All in all, the songs resembled everything between My Morning Jacket and Crowded House. In short, their mélange of Americana and pop resulted in fireworks.”

De Standaard:

“Geppetto & The Whales, the press and crowd’s favorite, woke up the audience with a song that reminded us of My Morning Jacket at its fiercest. And they managed to maintain that level for the entire three-song set, by elegantly mixing Arcade Fire’s hectic rhythms, Fleet Foxes’ harmonious vocals and Mumford & Sons’ folky flavor. Their three guitars raised an impressive wall of sound, while never losing sight of dynamics. If these guys ever release a record, we will be the first in line to buy it.”

YOU RASKAL YOU

Ever since they recorded their debut Reverb Kisses in the old military fort of Hoboken, things went fast for You Raskal You. With their sensitive, melancholic music and original sound, they reached the semi-final of Humo’s Rock Rally, played as support of School Is Cool (a.o. Crossing Borders Festival in The Netherlands), earned their place on Boomtown Festival, …

In the meantime, You Raskal You kept on working on a follow-up. With It Takes A Whole Lot Of Fools To Build A Pyramid But Love Just Takes Two they hold on to that same atmosphere. The single note banjo that goes perfectly with the occasionally wistful organ chords, that is the sound that characterizes You Raskal You. Add the somewhat husky, harmonic voices and you have the ideal cocktail.