Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters: 'Silently Held’ (albumrelease) 29-09-24

zo 29 sep '24

Songs like a warm blanket

This release follows Chantal's previous musical adventures, including "Let Your Hands be My Guide" (2013), "The Sparkle In Our Flaws" (2015), "Bounce Back" (2017), "Puwawau" (2019) and "Saturday Moon" (2021). Each album has resonated worldwide.

In the quiet embrace of the music, Chantal reveals a raw and authentic portrayal of vulnerability, where every flaw and feeling is held close. The album becomes a haven, inviting listeners to participate in this quiet communion with the subtleties of the human experience. Through every note and word, Chantal Acda creates a space where imperfections are not only acknowledged but celebrated, creating a deep and intimate connection between the artist and the audience.

Silently Held sounds like a testament to the beauty to be found in the proximity of our flaws and feelings, inviting us to embrace them with grace and authenticity.

Chantal Acda
Chantal Acda (BE - vocals, acoustic guitar), Eric Thielemans (BE - drums), Thomas Morgan (US - double bass), Darian Donovan Thomas (US - multi-instrumentalist), Kevin Hays (US - piano), Frans Van Isacker (BE - saxophone), Niels Van Heertum (BE - euphonium)

"I always silently held my sunnier side. My doubts, my vulnerability.
That's what we are taught. To be strong. Cheer up. Keep going.
And otherwise it must be resolved. As it became increasingly clear to me that this side of us contains so much beautiful information. Connection with people around us.
While writing this album, I slowly tried to accept this side of myself.
Of us.
Of humanity.
We are the light and the dark.
The fear and the doubt.
The questioning and the knowing.
The sad and the happy.
With this record, I tried to take hold of my "silently hero" and release it.
Opening up this space with people I trust.
The musicians on this album surrounded me with understanding, love and danced with me.
With everything about me.
With everything I carry inside me.
With everything I hold.
I took a breath and let go."

Eric Thielemans on the recordings:

"A wonderful meeting of musical souls in Shazhad's beautiful studio away from home. Playing Chantal's music, which always comes so easily, is so inspiring, carries me but keeps me close to myself. Airy, breathing, absolutely beautiful, tender, vulnerable, but so present and strong. Like waves. Nature. Connecting to that energy and that spectrum with life force and energy. It dances all by itself. And then playing together with Bill and Thomas. Such a sense of sharing, of being present, of being in demand, walking that fine line, taking risks, putting ourselves out there, yet so simple, tender and (again) easy.

Dr. Phil! And Shahzad! Oh my goodness. Shahzad! Beyond. Really beyond. What a trip. Being able to share this deep music with Chantal makes me understand the world and my place in it a little better. Blessed."