Josh Rouse

Songwriter Josh Rouse released a new album in September 2011, his ninth: Josh Rouse and The Long Vacations. A compact, but exceptionally versatile record. For example, an instant summer feeling comes over you with the catchy rhythm, the cheerful mandolin, the fresh guitar and the warm voice on 'Movin' on'. Rouse was born in America and as a teenager was infatuated with British bands such as The Smiths and The Cure. In Nashville he befriended Kurt Wagner of Lambchop, with whom he collaborated on his second album 'Chester'. Rouse has now exchanged the US for Spain for several years. In 2007 he toured as support with John Mayer. With a diverse palette of influences in his back pocket, Josh Rouse knows how to write captivating songs like no other. The new album is best listened to in a hammock on a warm summer day. And live in the pleasantly intimate setting of the Handelsbeurs. That speaks for itself.

SUPPORT: THE ANTLER KING

After that one single 'Alone' (2010) it became quiet for a while. The Antler King, the group of Esther Lybeert and Maarten Flamand. 'Alone' was not only picked up by radio stations, but also for a European advertising campaign by Ferrero Rocher. But releasing an album was something else. “It all had to fall into place.” Their self-titled debut album was released in April 2011. And that was not a day too soon. “As a musician you want to write and record songs. And once they have been recorded, you collect them in an album that you want to share with the world. So yes, we are sometimes a bit impatient because we want to quickly continue working on new ideas. But of course we are also very proud of this result and we want to show and hear that.”