1.13.2012
I WILL ALWAYS SING FOR YOU
You might not have heard of them yet, but this will soon change. Handsome Poets are already a big success in The Netherlands, and are planning to slowly take over the rest of the world. And they will. Early 2010 the first single of these good looking and talented young guys was recorded and got picked up by the popular Dutch radio station 3fm. It didn't took long before you could also see them on Dutch television, winning the 'Serious Talent Award', and see them playing at 60! festivals during this season. 2011 really was their year.
Tim van Esch, the lead singer of Handsome Poets found some time to talk to me about last year and their future plans. Tim: ''We look back on a bizarre story of success. Our first song written [Blinded] got picked up by 3fm. We became 'Serious Talent' and the second song we wrote [Dance (the war is over)] got picked as 3fm smash hit. An extraordinary year for us. We didn't expect it at all, but it's pretty cool.''
Handsome Poets live @ Lowlands Festival
The inspiration for the music they make (which can be described as danceable popmusic with a raw alternative edge) comes from bands such as Elbow and Coldplay. Tim says he personally played the life out of 'Hot Fuss' from the Killers. They were the supporting act of 'Hurts' and 'Naked and Famous' whom are also very inspiring for the band because of their great sound. ''The live acts of Mute Math are a great example of how we want to put up a show'' says Tim.
With the success there were also some changes in the band formation. With the pressure getting higher and the quick developments the guitarist left the band. But this also gave Handsome Poets a new impulse. ''With a new guitarist it seemed like we had even more inspiration. We rocked at Lowlands festival and had our first own tour in December. We slowly transformed into Handsome Poets 2.0.''
I always wonder how people with the same love for music get together and start a band (personally I can never imagine taking that step!) ''We know each other through friends who are all into music. We got together and stayed together because there is such a good vibe between us. No ego's, no actors, just playing together making music. We enjoy it so much! Whether it's for 40.000 or 20 people, it doesn't matter. And we are all hungry for more!''This summer they will be recording their second album. ''We want to cross borders and play in other countries. Make new friends and travel. I saw Prince on Werchter, Coldplay in 't Sportpaleis and I saw the excitement with the audience. We would love to have that.. one day!''
If you're still not convinced that you should see these guys live, Tim will tell you why you should: 'We make pop music with an alternative edge. Flemish people like alternative and raw edges with some Dutch vibes.'
So they only need a location to play, a small amount of money to cover the costs and of course a lovely audience (which won't be hard in Antwerp!).
Visit them online
handsomepoets.nl
12.05.2011
STRONGEST TASTE LOUDEST DROP
Oh how I love the fact that Belgium now also has Spotify. I can browse through other peoples playlists to find music I did not know before. Yes I became quite lazy with discovering new music, new bands etc. But this doesn't mean I appreciate the discoveries less. I also still want to share them with other people :) So this is what I found.
By coincidence I heard 'Keep your head up' by Ben Howard when I was driving back to Antwerp yesterday and it immediately blew me away. In one of my friends Spotify playlists I found Old Pine, this really beautiful version. Ben Howard, who started with music when he was a kid, released his debut album 'These Waters' in 2009. Being only 22 years he surfs whenever he can, travels a lot, drinks to much and makes irrational choices. He loves the outdoors and the autumn. The next few months he will mainly have shows in the UK and France. But in April 2012 my Dutch friends can see him in Paard van Troje, Paradiso or Tivoli.
Ben Howard - Myspace
Next artist is Dillon, which sounds a lot like Lykke Li. But the lyrics of this song and the melody is just really catchy. Last month her debut album 'The Silence Kills' came out. Haven't listen to her whole album yet but I bet it will me a treat for my ears.
Also take a look on her website; Dillon music It has a photo diary on it and all her song lyrics.
Last music I want to share with you know is Assembly by Elephant. This French duo makes magical synth music. Singer Amelia Rivas met Christian Pinchbeck back in May 2010. Since then they've been quietly creating some hauntingly fragile songs with a sense of mystery. Their EP was released last November.
For more information visit the Elephant website
By coincidence I heard 'Keep your head up' by Ben Howard when I was driving back to Antwerp yesterday and it immediately blew me away. In one of my friends Spotify playlists I found Old Pine, this really beautiful version. Ben Howard, who started with music when he was a kid, released his debut album 'These Waters' in 2009. Being only 22 years he surfs whenever he can, travels a lot, drinks to much and makes irrational choices. He loves the outdoors and the autumn. The next few months he will mainly have shows in the UK and France. But in April 2012 my Dutch friends can see him in Paard van Troje, Paradiso or Tivoli.
Ben Howard - Myspace
Next artist is Dillon, which sounds a lot like Lykke Li. But the lyrics of this song and the melody is just really catchy. Last month her debut album 'The Silence Kills' came out. Haven't listen to her whole album yet but I bet it will me a treat for my ears.
Also take a look on her website; Dillon music It has a photo diary on it and all her song lyrics.
Last music I want to share with you know is Assembly by Elephant. This French duo makes magical synth music. Singer Amelia Rivas met Christian Pinchbeck back in May 2010. Since then they've been quietly creating some hauntingly fragile songs with a sense of mystery. Their EP was released last November.
For more information visit the Elephant website
So that's it for know. Hopefully I will soon be back with more discoveries.
Ciao.
