Gert Bettens
Encyclopedia
Gert Bettens is the lead guitarist of the Belgian
band K's Choice
. He, with his sister Sarah Bettens
, is the face of the band.
The band is popular in Europe and had toured in the U.S. with The Verve Pipe
, Tonic
, Alanis Morissette
and the Indigo Girls
, as well as on their own. In 2003 K's Choice decided to split ways, but then reformed in 2009.
Bettens was born in Merksem
. After more than a decade of composing, recording and touring all around the world with one of the most successful Belgian bands, in addition to many side projects as a songwriter, guitarist and producer, Gert is making his comeback in the music scene with his first solo project.
Along with some self-respected musicians, Gert founded Woodface. Written in his backyard studio and recorded at Jet Studios in Brussels
, “Good Morning Hope” sheds light on the wide range of Gert’s musical influences and tastes, blending power-driven rock with intimate singer-songwriter compositions.
This contrast is probably the only similarity to his former band.
Driven by Gert’s original sound and voice, there is a fusion of styles. The album stretches from typical 1970s rock-tinged guitar bands like The Who
and Led Zeppelin
to the dulcet sounds of Crowded House
, The Smiths
and The Beatles
. Some songs embrace the drive of more contemporary critical favorites such as David Gray
, Eels
and the late Elliott Smith
.
The colourful palette of sounds was recorded by Werner Pensaert who also engineered the K's Choice
platinum record “Paradise in Me
”.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
band K's Choice
K's Choice
K's Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp, formed in the mid-1990s. The band's core members are siblings Sarah Bettens and Gert Bettens . They are joined by Eric Grossman , Thomas Vanelslander , Reinout Swinnen and Koen Liekens...
. He, with his sister Sarah Bettens
Sarah Bettens
Sarah Bettens is the lead singer of the Belgian band K's Choice. Sarah and her brother Gert Bettens are the two popular faces of the band. She is known for her enigmatic, smoky voice. The band is popular in Belgium, the Netherlands and France, and had toured in the U.S...
, is the face of the band.
The band is popular in Europe and had toured in the U.S. with The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe is an American rock band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1992 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown.-History:...
, Tonic
Tonic (band)
Tonic is an American rock band that has earned two Grammy nominations to date. The band was formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade...
, Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
and the Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, as well as on their own. In 2003 K's Choice decided to split ways, but then reformed in 2009.
Bettens was born in Merksem
Merksem
Merksem is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It has almost 41,000 inhabitants.-History:The history of Merksem goes back to Gallo-Roman times. During that period the region was mentioned as Merk and Heim being part of the diocese Kamerijk...
. After more than a decade of composing, recording and touring all around the world with one of the most successful Belgian bands, in addition to many side projects as a songwriter, guitarist and producer, Gert is making his comeback in the music scene with his first solo project.
Along with some self-respected musicians, Gert founded Woodface. Written in his backyard studio and recorded at Jet Studios in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, “Good Morning Hope” sheds light on the wide range of Gert’s musical influences and tastes, blending power-driven rock with intimate singer-songwriter compositions.
This contrast is probably the only similarity to his former band.
Driven by Gert’s original sound and voice, there is a fusion of styles. The album stretches from typical 1970s rock-tinged guitar bands like The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
to the dulcet sounds of Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. Some songs embrace the drive of more contemporary critical favorites such as David Gray
David Gray (musician)
David Gray is an English singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later...
, Eels
Eels (band)
Eels is an American indie rock band formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E...
and the late Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
.
The colourful palette of sounds was recorded by Werner Pensaert who also engineered the K's Choice
K's Choice
K's Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp, formed in the mid-1990s. The band's core members are siblings Sarah Bettens and Gert Bettens . They are joined by Eric Grossman , Thomas Vanelslander , Reinout Swinnen and Koen Liekens...
platinum record “Paradise in Me
Paradise in Me
Paradise in Me is the second album of the Belgian band K's Choice. It was their international breakthrough. Its singles, especially "Not an Addict" were rather successful in Europe, the US, and Australia. The other single was "Mr. Freeze"...
”.