The Belgian Balthazar are an alternative pop band, with rock, electro and hiphop influences. They were formed at the end of 2004 in Kortrijk-Belgium and anticipated their first album with gigs all over Europe and a tour in South Africa. Their debut album “Applause” was released in Benelux, march 2010, and both the album as well as their live performances (Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Lowlands, etc.
The sound is skinned and then fine-tuned. Its purity is a credit to Ynge Leidulv Sætre. The Norwegian wizard is brought on board because of his skills (Annie, Kings of Convenience, Röyksopp) and his open-mindedness. He doesn't know Belgium nor has he ever heard of Balthazar and the band is perfectly ok with that.
And then there it is. Shortly after the release of "Applause" it is as if Balthazar has always been around. Even though nobody quite knows the names of the drummer or the bass player, Balthazar is on its way to becoming a first rate live band. A band that easily connects to people and makes its audience spontaneously react. Tom Barman (dEUS) cries out for an encore during one of their concerts and "The Boatman" is played again....
"Applause" enters at #20 in leading Dutch music magazine Oor’s “end list” of 2010 ("... a precious debut... up there with Arctic Monkeys..."). Balthazar signs a record deal with Play It Again Sam and the official European release of "Applause" heralds the release of a second album in 2012. Balthazar is on the move.
