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Schreel Van De Velde 
A One And A Two

blickwinkel 17  20.09.2024  LP

Roughly three years after the release of Balts, Schreel Van De Velde’s debut album on Blickwinkel, the guitar and drums improv-centered duo is happy to present their sophomore album A One And A Two.

The Brussels-based musicians sound more decisive than ever: the loud became louder, the quiet became quieter, the weird became weirder and the nostalgic became more nostalgic. The fruit peeled off one of its own shells, getting closer to its heart.

The album came about as a result of 2 separate studio sessions. For a first one, they restricted themself to solely electric guitar and drums, without overdubs, and with most songs ending up as one-takers. A second one took place some months later in a different recording space, using classical guitar with a matching small, cute drum set-up.

On both sessions, the duo played the same compositions, with some additional improvisations. Afterwards they made a blend of both sessions, mixing both energies: A One And A Two. A new language, organic and well-considered, was found.

Throughout the album, touches of minimalism, American primitivism, free-improv, and 90s indie rock can be found, but always within the limits of Schreel Van De Veldes freshly found voice: one that combines sentiment and cerebrality, overview, playfulness and mystery.

© Jelle Martens

Side A

Bitterns Are Birds
Opening Night
Baby’s (generous ruby)
Semillon Tears
The Room
Waltz
Best Friends

Side B

Retour Ritournelle
Semillon Tears II
Baby’s (big pearl)
The Room II
Solododo
Bosbessen
Bitterns Are Birds II

Lucas Schreel: classical guitar, electric guitar
Casper Van De Velde: drums, percussion

Stijn Cools: recording, mixing (track 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10,11)
Fabian Van Wesemael: recording, mixing (track 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14)
Stephan Mathieu: mastering
Jelle Martens: drawing, photo and sleeve design

blickwinkel 17

© Hendrik Lasure

Lucas Schreel is a classically trained guitarist based in Brussels. His first solo album We're Never Afraid of Getting Up Every Morning was released through Sentimental Records in 2019 and was well-received both in written-press (Humo, Enola & Indiestyle) and radio (Duyster, Radio 1 & Klara). Besides his solo work, Schreel is also a member of the lo-fi indierockband Kloothommel. Acclaimed Brussels percussionist Casper Van De Velde made quite a name for himself through his bands like SCHNTZL, Bombataz, Donder among others. His work received prices at International Jazz Contest d’Avignon and Storm! Contest (Jazzlab). Casper is currently also a member of the recently formed An Pierlé Quartet.