After a decade-long hiatus, Ries de Vuyst, the Zeeuws-Vlaamse singer-songwriter, has returned to the music scene with his new album titled 'Contramine.' The album, released this year, marks the first collection of original songs since his last album, 'Oondert,' which was released back in 2015.
The stagnation for de Vuyst was lengthy; he admits to writing only two songs over the past ten years. According to de Vuyst, "My last album came out in 2015 and since then I hardly wrote any songs. Two songs in ten years, that's not something to write home about. I don't know where it went wrong, but I think inspiration was lacking." His creative slump ended unexpectedly during a trip to southern France. He began composing again beneath the shade of a walnut tree, and after finishing his first song, he felt compelled to write more.
The new album 'Contramine,' which translates to 'contrary' or 'countercurrent,' was shaped by both de Vuyst's experiences and influences from the people around him, particularly following his chance meeting with textile artist Daphne van de Berg. Inspired by her embroidery, de Vuyst initiated collaboration on the album, believing it deserved to be presented as an LP. "I asked if she felt like embroidering something related to the themes of the songs," he shared, highlighting the depth and intensity of their cooperation. With the resurgence of vinyl, he felt it was the perfect medium to showcase the art alongside the music.
Ries de Vuyst describes the album as akin to “a ship on its own unique course, always traveling along mythological stories and tales from the waterside,” positioning himself as the captain directing the creative vessel. This metaphor captures the album's adventurous spirit, emphasizing de Vuyst’s commitment to following his own path, which he insists aligns with the title 'Contramine.' He noted, "Where I grew up, most people are proud to be contrarians, and for me, it takes the form of sensitivity to authority, which I believe is baseless."
The realization of 'Contramine' required support, pushing de Vuyst to reach out through crowdfunding to finance production costs. He explained, "It got out of hand once we decided to release it as an LP. So, I looked for ways to make this happen because it was quite expensive. The crowdfunding was successful and the Cultural Fund also provided financial assistance.”
For de Vuyst, collaboration has been fundamental in creating this album. He worked closely with Peter Slager, the bassist from the popular Dutch band BLØF, who contributed not only as a musician but also took the role of producer. “He set up beautiful microphones, recorded everything elegantly, and mixed the album,” de Vuyst explained. With the addition of others like harmonica player Gait Klein Kromhof and Baby Dee playing the harmonium and accordion, and Wissem Ziadi on the violin and oud, there’s been significant input from various artists enhancing the album's sound.
Reflecting on the overall experience, de Vuyst stated, "I'm enormously proud of the final outcome. It's truly different from what I've made before. The idea of so many people contributing their heart and soul to create something beautiful is very special to me." The album heads toward its public debut on Saturday, February 22nd, at Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen, from which de Vuyst plans to start touring, bringing both his music and various remaining albums to audiences across the continent.
Throughout his long career, de Vuyst has previously garnered recognition by winning local competitions and has produced two solo albums focusing primarily on blues with lyrics reflecting themes of melancholy and challenges. His work has expanded over the years to include folk and gypsy jazz, showcasing his versatility and depth as an artist. 'Contramine' is also expected to expand on his sound and bring his creative insights to both existing fans and new listeners alike.
Indeed, after such a long wait for new music, de Vuyst seems to be steering his ship straight toward new horizons, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the results of his labor and the message behind his musical tales.