On Saturday 10 May, Walter Verdin will appear at AB Club to present his recently released double compilation PING PONG (Cortizona). PING PONG is a collection of experimental music from the period 1980-2000. The tracks reflect DIY punk spirit, improvisation and creative freedom, with a focus on spontaneous and layered compositions.
The press about PINGPONG:
- “Ping Pong, een fascinerende terugblik op Walter Verdins carrière, is nu al een Belgische cultklassieker.” (★★★★☆HUMO).
- "Wonderful music from Walter Verdin, the whole record’s amazing." (Tom Ravenscroft - BBC 6 Music)
But there is even more to tell you about Walter Verdin. Read along.
- "Rendez-vous - Maar de maat is vol en m’n kop is toe" That’s right. That’s Pas De Deux. Verdin was the mastermind behind Pas De Deux, a Belgian band that released cult classics like Rendez-Vous ((Eurovision 1983) and Cardiocleptomanie in the ‘80s.
- What is the common denominator between Gucci, John Maus, BBC 6 Music, DeeWee, Stroom, Jlin, DJ Marcelle and Peaking Lights? Correct: they are all fans of (or have worked with) Walter Verdin.
- Verdin used limited resources such as a Yamaha CS-40M synthesiser, borrowed drum machines and tape loops, which led to raw and personal recordings.
- He made dance videos for a young Wim Vandekeybus and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, provided the visuals for the first Belgian version of the theatre production Angels in America by Guy Cassiers.
- He did a lot of work for Het Nieuwstedelijk and caused a stir with own shows, such as Videorhythmics and X<Afrika, for which he worked with musicians from Ivory Coast.
More than enough reasons to head down to AB on May 10. Plus, Brussels artist Céline Gillain (Cortizona) will be present as support-act. Her music combines electronic music and experimental pop, with themes like power, technology and social norms. Not to be missed!