Kraakpand met o.a. The Antler King

The formula used by Kraakpand (which translates by “squat”): put together in the same room a handful of musicians and let them take turns playing and telling something about themselves. This is how in the course of one evening, you travel with four different bands from one genre to another, from one mood to another. An intimate club setting in close proximity to the musicians. One night to break down all the barriers between genres. Something for the daring among us.

THE ANTLER KING

This Ghent band just released a second album: Patterns. If their music is a labour of love, it’s because Esther Lybeert and Marteen Flamand share more than just songs in real life. The result is beautiful vocal harmonies in a folky acoustic setting with here and there a synth and a touch of psychedelia. The voice of front woman Esther Lybeert – who has evolved into a solid drummer – hovers between sultry and powerful, epic and understated. The single Gold Red Circle created high expectations, which were fully met in Patterns. Good pop music from Ghent.

STATUE

Statue plays experimental post-rock with five droning guitars, bass and drums. The spirits of Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham watch over the young Limburg rockers. 11 other guitar heavyweights, no less, joined them for the presentation of their debut CD, among whom Stef Kamil Carlens, Luc Van Acker, Pascal Deweze, Johannes Verschaeve, Rodrigo Fuentealba, to name but a few. Their music ranges from heavy guitar sound to sometimes meandering layered melodies, and everything in-between.

MusicZine wrote about the band’s live performance: “Statue ensures instrumental post-rock remains quite exciting, while focusing on the show on stage. Statue was captivating, moving, driven, and explosive. In one word: Manic!”

ROBBING MILLIONS

Robbing Millions may well sound like an alliteration on Robbin Williams, yet musically it cannot be further removed from the comedian. Their dreamy psychedelic sounds, angular guitars, lo-fi synths, complex rhythms and slightly airy vocals welcome you to one of the most exciting new discoveries in pop country.

Ages & Sun, Robbing Millions’ first album, augurs very well. The five musicians, each with a background in jazz or alternative rock, create music that is reminiscent of Robert Wyatt’s Soft Machine, Can, or The Flaming Lips. They deliver brilliantly crafted songs with a great sense for detail, timing and dosage. Music that reveals itself more and more every time you listen to it. A revelation.

MARCIN MASECKI - BACH

Kraakpand, the “squat” wouldn’t be complete without Bach. The honour goes to pianist Marcin Masecki, the enfant terrible of the Polish music scene. He may come from Chopin’s country, but as a pianist, he deconstructs Scarlatti and Bach with humour and a healthy frenzy.

Masecki recorded Bach’s Die Kunst der Fuge with a dictaphone and released it on a CD. He himself calls it lo-fi classical music. He also wrote 10 new Polonaises for brass band, building on Chopin’s legacy, but with a twist in the bargain.

For Masecki, classical aesthetics are part of modern music, and ought not to be mistaken for elitism. Regardless of his distinct musical approach, the musician also displays a special performance style swinging his right leg uncontrollably. A bonus.