STAVROZ
Hailing from the land of compromise in the heart of Europe, the four friends of Stavroz found each other in the east of Flanders. Their album The Ginning marked an early breakthrough, achieved Gold status in France, and stayed at number one for a long time. Their new EP Kick Up The Dust moves from Brazilian vocals to jazzy Duduk sounds, creating a warm and subtle journey that reminds the audience why this band is so special.
In its inception, Ijsbrand De Wilde and Gert Beazar focused mainly on playing DJ sets and creating music in which they loved colliding worlds. Only a few years later they hooked up with Maxim Helincks and Pieter De Meester to expand their DJ activities to a performing band and continued to try and find an unbeaten path in electronic music. This culminated in their delicately acoustic, organic and cinematic approach to electronic music. As a result they were awarded second place for best producer and best breakthrough artist in national awards for Belgium's electronic scene.
Stavroz When we delve into the nitty-gritty, we like to think of our sound as "electronically enhanced acoustic sounds." A more general description might be "romantic grooves and melodies gently squished against your eardrums." However, to achieve that romantic, sometimes sexy sound, we use natural sounds and instruments that we finesse in the right places so they can have the same impact as purely electronic music.
Our approach to crafting music doesn't always revolve around how it will translate to the stage. Stavroz in the studio can differ from Stavroz on stage, but you'll find common threads between the two. This dynamic keeps things fresh and exciting for us as we get to experiment and reinterpret our studio work in a live setting. The EP features horns, pianos, guitars, synths, and even a duduk. Our music is profoundly influenced by life experiences. Often, the best music emerges during moments of turmoil or excitement. Beyond that, our diverse musical backgrounds collectively contribute to our eclectic influences.
"Romantic grooves and melodies gently squished against your eardrums."
Stavroz · On their soundStavroz We try not to let our recordings define our live performances. The circumstances are different, and the experience is unique as a result. We start our live versions with a clear foundation from our recordings, yet we leave plenty of room for interpretation and improvisation. Every performance is distinct. In the case of Kick Up The Dust, we might even say that the EP is more influenced by our live performances, rather than the live performance being influenced by the recordings. The ups and downs, moments of high and low energy, moments of in-your-face intensity, and contrasting muffled beats are trademarks of our live shows. This EP actually reflects that same journey.
Stavroz This is something that has grown more important as we've played more. We're not big on visuals, but a captivating light show definitely enhances our performance. Also, our stage presence has evolved significantly, from being more introverted to being more playful, communicative, and extroverted. This translates to the audience and enhances the experience both on and off the stage.
Stavroz The thing that ties all these elements together is communication. If the front wheels are spinning faster than the rear wheels, you'll have a bumpy ride. If you turn the steering wheel further than the vehicle allows, or if you use the wrong fuel, you're going to have a rough time. We haven't always mastered clear and healthy communication, but I believe that this is a skill that people carry with them throughout their lives. No one is completely alone in this world. We are defined by what is around us, and this is even more apparent in a band, where you depend on those standing next to you on stage.
Stavroz What we look forward to the most is some time off in November and December. We prefer to reserve this time to spend with family and friends and to explore things that we didn't have many opportunities to dive into during the year, as we travel and create a lot. Time with loved ones fuels what comes next.
Ijsbrand and Gert had always wanted to create Balkan-inspired music, and hence came the duo Stavroz. Beyond just sharing the same musical tastes, these two buddies bonded over both being sound engineers, which makes them real goldsmiths behind every production. Their music is imprinted with original inspirations while keeping to a jazzy and burlesque influence.
- The Ginning 06:31
- The Finishing 08:02 Sax: Nathan Daems
- The Ginning (Felkon Remix) 06:54
- The Ginning (Britta Arnold Remix) 07:05 with Sascha Cawa
- The Finishing (Viken Arman Remix) 06:08
- The Finishing (Powel Remix) 07:51