On the radar – The Word Magazine

Music

Ross Clements and Geert Sermon

With just a few days before their first night at Brussels' Beursschouwburg, we speak to kindred spirits Ross Clements and Geert Sermon about their joint promoting effort.

Neighbourhood life

PLMD’s Pierre and Damien

We polish off our series on creative and enterprising two-pieces with the delightful duo Pierre and Damien from graphic design studio pleaseletmedesign.

Music Exclusive mixes

Sagat

Still ridiculously loved up, we bring you Brussels-based DJ Sagat's excellent Valentines's Day mix, inspired by tacky, crappy E-Cards. It's a good one.

Music

The Big Pink

Last month, English twosome The Big Pink released a second album called 'Future This'. We spoke to them about their new record, skateboarding and being a couple (but not in that way).

Music Exclusive mixes

Jazz Neversleeps

Here comes Valentine's mix number five, and this time it's Brussels' DJ Jazz Neversleeps, signed to the renowned On-point label. With 'Hard On Your Love' he proves once more that there's nothing wrong with genre-hopping.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing

The weekend 16.02

The weekend kicks off tonight with Michel Mazzoni's book launch, a vernissage for Betty Tompkins' iconic Fuck Paintings and the arrival in the capital of quirky band Beatallica.

Art

Pierre Besson

We have a sit down with French artist Pierre Besson whose works are currently on show at Brussels' Joye Gallery. We talk about technologic excess, the beauty of everyday things and Brian Eno's minimalist appeal.

Music Exclusive mixes

Dandy Teru

With 'Oh! Oui!", music producer and radio host Dandy Teru delivers part four of our series of Valentine's Day-inspired mix tapes. This one is all suggestive moves down memory lane.

Music Exclusive mixes

Jealov

Part three of our Valentines mix has Brussels-based Jealov turning knobs and turning heads. "A slippery slow mix to keep the pace", as they succinctly put it.

Music Exclusive mixes

Miss Hot Tracks’

We continue our series of Valentine's Day-inspired mixes with Brussels-based DJ Miss Hot Tracks mix entitled 'Desires'.

Music Exclusive mixes

Uphigh Collective

Leuven-based all-rounders Uphigh Collective kick off our series of Valentine's Day-inspired exclusive mixes.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing

The weekend 09.02

Exhibitions of Cy Twombly, Chantal Akerman and Naoto Kawahara, Azari & III and Jedi Mind Tricks in concert, plus a London getaway special revealing the must-sees on the island this weekend.

Art

Photographer Kelly De Block

In our continued bid to shine a light on rising Belgian talent, we speak with recently-graduated fashion photographer Kelly De Block about collages, contrasts and connecting with people.

Neighbourhood life

Felicia Atkinson and Bartolomé Sanson

In the fourth part of our series on illuminating couple-collaborators, we introduce multi-talents Felicia and Bartholomé whose pooled resources include books and records.

Art

Fifteen questions to Ingrid Baars

We sit down with Antwerp-based Dutch photographer Ingrid Baars to discuss the creative process, her love of the female form and feedback from older men at gallery openings.

Neighbourhood life

Onda Sonora’s Bart and Yoeri

More superstar soulmates. DJs Yoeri Bellemans and Bart Sibiel make up two halves of Onda Sonora Soundsystem. They traffic their soulful sound at their own trademarked shindigs but also through a cool weekly slot on FM Brussel.

Art

Illustrator Joost Stokhof

We continue our series on emerging talent with an interview with Utretcht-based illustrator Joost Stockhof

Neighbourhood life

Memymom’s Lisa and Marilène

Part II of our fascination-feature on outstanding Belgian two-pieces. Drumroll please for Memymom, a photography venture concocted by mother and daughter duo Marilène and Lisa.

Neighbourhood life

Face to Face’s Delphine and Flore

On a total love buzz, we've begun harvesting some of February's Valentine spirit. We've decided to while away the month by introducing you to some inseparable Belgian two-pieces. Some are musicians. Others photographers. The odd DJ-duo, even. We kick off our series with Brussels-based graphic design team Face to Face.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing

The weekend 26.01

This weekend has exhibitions of Don Brown, Wouter Feyaerts and Daan van Golden in store. Plus: Get your hands on a contemporary art piece without getting your wallet out at Bozar and take in your dose of music at Transardentes or the Gym Class Heroes concert.

Music The music throwaway project

Is Tropical

London three-piece Is Tropical takes you backstage with our disposable camera project.

Music

Casiokids

We talk to the quirky Norwegian outfit Casiokids about their new record ‘Aabenbaringen over Aaskammen’, getting sponsored by a-ha and playing gigs in lighthouses.

Art

Christopher Coppers

With his exhibition at Bodson Emelinckx Gallery having just opened, we sit down with Brussels-based cut-up artist Christopher Coppers to talk about his biggest show to date, the state of TV and Belgian politicians singing the wrong national anthem.

Neighbourhood life

Fifteen questions to Pablo Piatti

We sit down with fashion illustrator Pablo Piatti in Antwerp to discuss his craft, drawing faces and viewing illustration as a complement to photography.

Music

Nosedrip

We sit down with Ghent-based DJ Nosedrip to ask him what's missing in his life and what songs he'd play on a first date. Scroll down to the bottom of the interview for a free mix.

Art

Hans Op de Beeck’s stark realities

Although many artists describe themselves as ’multi media artists’, few deserve the tag as much as Brussels-based Hans Op de Beeck.

Neighbourhood life

The interview: White Russia

Having just released the debut LP O Jerusalem singer/songwriter Maria Elderton from London two-piece White Russia speaks to us about apathetic bands and wanting to be Axl Rose.

Neighbourhood life

The interview: White Car

We speak to Elon Katz from upcoming Chicago two-piece White Car about his slew of side projects, Chinese underground music and painting a house white.

Art

Facing the blank canvas: Rinus Van de Velde

In the third instalment of our series discussing the challenges for artists in facing a blank canvas, we speak with Belgian artist Rinus Van De Velde, who currently is exhibiting in Berlin.

Neighbourhood life

Damir Doma

We sit down with 30 year old Croatian fashion designer Damir Doma to talk production issues, being an introvert in Antwerp and choosing white for his latest collection.

Neighbourhood life

The interview: Girls

We speak with Girls frontman Christopher Owens about white sneaker fetishes, running a business and singing “Stille nacht” to sailors at Christmas time in Antwerp’s docks.

Neighbourhood life

The interview: Mario & Vidis

Following the release of their double album Changed, we speak with Lithuanian production prodigies Mario & Vidis about their top three records of 2011, their hometown and who they'd book for their last ever party.

Neighbourhood life

The interview: Is Tropical

Having just released their debut album 'Native To' earlier this year, the face-shy London three-piece was in Brussels to perform at Botanique. We caught up with them minutes before the show to talk getting bashed by Pitchfork, hating England and throwing illegal parties in toilet showrooms.

Neighbourhood life

Fifteen questions to: Zhao Li

With her playful, animal-shaped creations, up and coming jewellery designer Zhao Li has roots in China and a home in Antwerp, adding some much-needed colour to the local jewellery scene. We speak with her about the beauty of spiders, using medical plastic and her jewellery line 'talitali'.

Neighbourhood life

Fifteen questions to: Peter Ceursters

Fifteen questions put to Peter Ceursters, manager of Antwerp's Acne store by day and accessory designer by night.

Art

Rise and shine: photographer Adriaan Hauwaert

Taking a look at final year photography student Adriaan Hauwaert's mesmerising short series on typical Belgian residential architecture was enough for us to want to find out a little more. Here, we have a quick chat with the rising talent.

Neighbourhood life

The review: Black Box Revelation’s My Perception

With their new release “My Perception” Belgian garage rockers Black Box Revelation deliver their third album in only three years and this time they are determined to make it big across the Atlantic. Whilst sticking to their raw and heady sound, the two-piece outfit from Dilbeek aims to conquer the US.

Music

Slove

Following the release of their excellent debut Le Danse, we speak with Parisian electro-pop two-piece Slove about their various side projects and their love of French music.

Neighbourhood life

M83’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

The French electronic dreampop band M83 is back after a three year pause: Their new much anticipated album 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming' is to be released on October 17th. We've had a first listen.

Music The music throwaway project

Civil Civic

The backstage antics of Australian two-piece Civil Civic. Having headlined this year's Microfestival in Liege / Luik, the band undoubtedly had lots of fun playing around with one of our disposable cameras.

Music

It takes a lot of beans to make a Chilly

With more facets to his talent than a chameleon on shuffle mode, Chilly Gonzales is a hard man to pin down. His new album, The Unspeakable Chilly Gonzales, just out, we caught up with the Canadian-born virtuoso in his Paris apartment to talk bathrobe fetishes, wannabe industry poseurs and paying for you own Guinness World […]

Art Studio visits

Studio show: Matthew Crasner and Christine Philipp

Galleries and museums are all fine, but they can sometimes be rather bland and impersonal affairs. You know, white walls, empty spaces and an overall sense of detachment from the actual art on show. That’s why we like studio shows so much. They immerse you in the artist’s world, draw you in and impregnate you […]

Music

Interview: actor Adam Goldberg’s new band The Goldberg Sisters

We all remember Adam Goldberg for hilarious roles such as Eddie, Chandler’s psychotic flatmate in Friends, the neurotic Nicky Rubenstein in Entourage, or Mike Newhouse in Dazed And Confused. The actor, who’s had a hand at directing too, has been making music for over a decade. After releasing his debut Eros and Omissions under the […]

Neighbourhood life

Movers and shakers: B-boy Ronnie Abaldonado

“A lot of my transitions flow and connect fluidly like I am telling a story,” says Ronnie Abaldonado, one of the judges to this year’s Braun Battle of the Year breakdancing contest. A Filipino living in Las Vegas, Ronnie (28) has secured some of the most respected break titles around (winner of the 2007 Red […]

Music

The word with Ping Pong Tactics

Local heroes and hailed as the “next big thing”, the Belgian kids from Ping Pong Tactics played a last minute concert at Ghent’s Kinky Star last Friday. The Huyghe brothers and best drummer of Sint-Laureins just released their latest record Sensual Dancing on cassette. We met up with lead singer Bert just before a fire […]

Art

Photography: Hedi Slimane exhibition opens at Almine Rech Gallery in Brussels and Paris

After documenting London’s burgeoning indie scene and redefining the male silhouette of the 00s at the helm of Dior Homme, Hedi Slimane seems to have stepped in the new decade with a fascination for American culture. With two simultaneous shows at the Almine Rech galleries of Paris and Brussels, the former designer, who’s always nurtured […]

Art

Photography: mother and daughter duo Memymom

We first got acquainted with Memymom’s work a while ago and were instantly intrigued by their puzzling compositions. Lisa De Boeck and Marilène Coolens’ strange scenarios feature flesh, intertwined limbs and bodyparts that seem to spring out of nowhere, the result being at times dreamy, at others bone-chilling. For the red album (out 11th March), […]

Music

Interview: Chile’s Panico pack a punch

At first listen, there’s something vaguely familiar with Panico’s sound. It is garage rock, no doubt there, but with something of a Latin twist to it. Tropical rock as they refer to it on their Myspace page. Think rough, fast-paced yet melodic songs. Catchy guitar riffs and heavy drum sequences. And Eduardo, the band’s charismatic, […]

Music

Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor speaks about his new band, About Group

After spearheading this past decade’s nerdy dance pop-movement with his band Hot Chip, Alexis Taylor turns to spontaneous recording with About Group, his new project. We caught up with the ever-polite British singer and musician last Saturday, minutes before his eclectic DJ set at a Los Ninos party in Brussels’ cultural-hub Congres station. How long has About […]

Art

Amsterdam Fashion Week: the report

What is Dutch fashion? I guess it’s fair to say that an instant answer does not come to mind. Unlike Italy, France or the UK, Holland does not seem to have a fashion tradition as such, even though the Dutch appreciate craft and originality. It often seems that art and design are more valued within […]

Neighbourhood life

2011, année érotique

Année Erotique. What might sound like a brand of kinky lingerie is actually the new range of high-end womenswear that will be launched this summer by Kaat Bloomaert, of Le Fabuleux Marcel de Bruxelles fame. This very feminine line only features five designs per season – all exclusively dresses. “I think there’s definitely a trend […]

Art

My funny Valentine

It’s that time of the year again and just as all the shop windows mimic each other’s cringe-inducing red displays and cheesy slogans, we’re grateful a few peeps out there haven’t lost their sense of humour. Three movies. Three venues. And three perfectly valid excuses to skip the overpriced Valentine’s restaurant menu – complete with […]

Music

The joker has landed – An interview with Drums of Death

Ceratin artists sometimes seem to drop a bomb on you out of nowhere. You kind of had heard their name somewhere before, but couldnt quite place it. You know they aren’t exactly newcomers to the game, but they aren’t old-timers neither. It’s that certain breed of on-the-cusp of breaking-through artists. Some seem to be eternally […]

Neighbourhood life

Black beauty

Working exclusively with French tanneries and the best skins available, Noir Basic‘s exquisite outerwear pieces reconcile craftsmanship with the world of streetwear. Writer Philippe Pourhashemi Inspired by American culture and the refinement of Parisian ateliers, Anthony Lellouche, Romain Bernardini and Marc Leblond set up the brand in 2008, appealing to leather aficionados around the globe […]

Music

Five of the best gigs of 2010

1. Strange Days: featuring Sonic Youth, Shellac, The Pop Group, Factory Floor – 31st December, Hammersmith Apollo (London) Leave it to cult British promoters All Tomorrow’s Parties to throw the UK’s most hyped night of the year. Supported by Factory Floor, cult post-punk outfit The Pop Group (reformed after a 19-year hiatus) and Steve Albini’s […]

Music

Three of the best albums of 2010

Gonjasufi – A Sufi and a Killer LP (Warp) Psychedelic tribal music for the new age, Gonjasufi’s A Sufi and A Killer (produced by Los Angeles-based, Low End Theory cohort The Gaslamp Killer) surprised just about everyone in the office. With the album’s production firmly rooted in hip-hop, Gonja’s vocals (at times raps, at times […]

Art

Fish for thought

At the Filip Kesteloot Sculpture Gallery, you are treated to the aquatic bronzes of Pieter Vanden Daele (Belgium, 1971) along with the slate and glass creations of mosaicist Sylvie Guyomard. Opening this Thursday, the artists will be on hand to talk about their art in the relaxed setting of this bijou gallery, located in the Sablon/Zavel […]

Art

Ink like a Russian crim

The Russian Issue is out and it only seemed right that we checked out the ‘Russian Criminal Tattoo Exhibition’ currently showing in London. Hosted by FUEL Design and Publishing, the creators of the lauded Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia Volumes I, II and III, the original artworks from this popular series are displayed for the first time. […]

Art

Ik hou van Charleroi

Our relationship with Charleroi and its locals was left somewhat shaky after a feature we ran in last year’s Heritage Issue. Conceived as a tribute to the city’s industrial heritage, the piece garnered its fair share of controversy and even a few angry comments. We felt we owed the city a fresh new look and […]

Art

Superfly

The Ghent-based concept store Mac Fly curated a night of beats, bops and boogie in Nijdrop a few weeks ago. Irish producer Mike Slott and Swiss beat craftsman Dimlite were headlining the whole shindig, whilst 54kolaktiv‘s Sagat opened and Cupp Cave & Dynooo, who recently launched their label Surf Kill, played a collaborative show ranging […]

Neighbourhood life

hallelujah!

Down on Rue Antoine Dansaert comes a new store that’s answering a lot of prayers with its eco-friendly and fashionable wares. Brought to us by Sonja Noël, the owner of the street’s stalwart Stijl, is Hallelujah. An eco-friendly take on luxury high fashion, this boutique is far cry from the hippy uniform of tie-dye, rainbow […]

Neighbourhood life

A shoe called Faguo

A collective sigh for yet another sneaker claiming to save the world, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d already seen Faguo. A discreetly designed and simple sneaker which looks like something we’ve all owned at some point in our lives, although there is something hidden beneath that sober and humble exterior. Encapsulated in the trademark […]

Art

The Special Showstoppers: The Goods

We touch upon all aspects of design – from creation through to completion and reparation – in this month’s selection of special show stealers. We’ve got the software to prototype it, the loungechair to ponder it, the stool to rock it out, the plasticine to fix it, the mirror to have a final look at […]

Art

Tour operator

It’s only been a year now, but Brussels can finally pride itself on having a collective reopening of art galleries worthy of a true art capital. Simply labelled Brussels Art Days, two days of intense gallery hopping and openings just took place this past weekend, with no less than 30 new exhibitions, among which some held […]

Music

Some like it rough

Unpolished, stiff, battered and worn-out, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this month’s showstopper selection was handpicked by a bunch of brutes. A far cry from the smooth and flashy must-haves spread all over the glossies’ gargantuan September issues, we lay our latest cravings bare and rough. Photography Benoît Banisse, art direction and styling facetofacedesign 1. […]

Art

Its all in the name: Hunting and Collecting

With autumn comes the new season’s arrivals at Brussels’ most talked about concept store, Hunting and Collecting. As the name suggests this is about sourcing the very best of fashion, design and art around, and is a labour of love for owners Neils Radtke and Aude Gribomont. Joining their collective experiences of not only the […]

Art

Antwerp’s thorn

Belgium has a number of reputable festivals all year-round but if you’re looking for a low-key urban initiative, Deurne is now to be added to your summer ‘to-do list’: this municipality of Antwerp premiered a “route of art” and festivities between Wednesday 18th and Sunday 22nd August. Named Deurnroosje after the Sleeping Beauty tale (i.e. […]

Neighbourhood life

Inside the Glorybox

Newly opened and already making its presence felt on the fashion thoroughfare of Dansaert, Glorybox is a bastion of Belgian and French design. Stocking new designers solely from Belgium and France is a primary and appealing feature of the boutique, distinguishing it from other shops in the area. Another somewhat atypical quality is the friendly, […]

Music

Road revelations

It’s not all fun and games for Belgian garage duo The Black Box Revelation. The two-piece is having a busy summer so far, driving through Europe to perform at a string of festivals. We caught Jan and Dries between two pit stops and had a chat about life on the road. Photography Ulrike Biets How […]

Music The music throwaway project

Backstage at Dour festival

The disarming femme enfant Uffie admitted to us she enjoys pretending to not understand a word of French, that way she can secretly eavesdrop all ongoing conversations in the press area. Lola Olafisoye, singer of Chrome Hoof, certainly has what it takes to be Grace Jones’ little sis – crazy as hell, but full of […]

Music The music throwaway project

Pete Doherty

Here’s our man capturing the audience as he steps onstage. Fast forward to 1.00 for a load of the action.

Music The music throwaway project

Backstage at Les Ardentes

Pictures by Ulrike Biets The one and only Pharrell, listening to his iPod as he exits his ride to get into the dressing rooms. The iPod actually contained all of NER*D‘s brand new top-secret material. No one was allowed anywhere near it, save for two very lucky journalists. Pete Doherty posing minutes before Babyshambles‘ concert. We […]

Art

Brussels: where we shop

Sales have kicked off – which means we can finally indulge in some of our favourite brands without fear of ending up blacklisted by all the country’s banks. Scroll down for a selection of boutiques and stores that have become inevitable stops in our retail therapy marathon route. Mapp Store (Men and Women) © Mapp […]

Art

Brussels: where we drink

Together with the start of the summer comes the cringe-inducing ‘city guides’ we’ve all grown accustomed to, from American broasheets’ “36 hours in…” roundups to glossy magazines’ “10 things to do in…” selections. Directories of the usual suspects, these guides hit all the right (touristy) chordes, without ever delving deep into the city DNA. And […]

Art

It’s that time of the year again…

The highly anticipated annual Fashion Show of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts took place this past weekend in the industrial Northwest district of the city. The location – a large hangar beside the canal – was an interesting choice. For while the unrefined character of the neighbourhood was not at all in line with the […]

Art

Stadium invasion

With World Cup craze conquering the globe since last Friday, Nike figured the time was right to launch a new collection of NSW (Nike Sportswear), celebrating this noble sport and the team pride of six of the participating countries. For each country, an artist was selected to design a kit of footwear, coordinated with matching […]

Art

Blow the horn, rebels have arrived.

Consider this. An opening slot on a Kitsuné Maison compilation. A live gig at a Jean-Charles de Castelbajac catwalk show. A ‘Record of the Week’on BBC Radio 1. Heck, this band even had Les Inrockuptibles’ editor championing it as if his own mother was the drummer. And we ain’t talking your usual one-hit-wonder, I’m-a-celebrity-dj-get-me-out-of-here band […]

Art

In Praise of Shadows

A tight, bright show on light, displayed in the dark corners of the V&A as part of the London Design Festival.

Neighbourhood life

In the mood for design and interiors. Maison et Objet 2009

Went up to Paris to catch the good, the bad and the downright ugly at Maison et Objet . First observation, I was astonished at the amount of Belgian companies specialising in outdoor furniture. Royal Botania had one of the largest surfaces at the fair. Extremis seemed to have the main spot at the fair, […]