dries_bongaerts

'Featured Artist...31/January/2025...dries_bongaerts'

DRIES BONGAERTS started his youth as a football talent at Lommel SK and combined this with a top sports education at the Sint-Berchmanscollege in Genk. Around the age of 18, however, he found his true passion in music, inspired by artists such as Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Bob Dylan. He learned to play the guitar on his father's old guitar and soon decided to exchange philosophy in Antwerp for a career in music.

In 2007, he founded the Americana band New Rising Sun together with David Hermans, with which he released four albums, including "We're All Coming Home (2014)" and "Helenium (2018)". The song "Sad Sad World" was awarded the best protest song in Belgium. After an intensive period with the band, DRIES started a solo career and released the albums "For the Light in Thy Heart (2018)" and "Soothing Green (2021)".

Dries now lives in the countryside, where he writes Dutch music in addition to his solo projects. He founded the band There Will Be Birds and is rehearsing again with New Rising Sun. Their new album will be released this spring.

An excellent reason to become a participant now via his new album "LIVE at DJINGEL DJANGEL Antwerp", because anyone who has ever heard the music of DRIES BONGAERTS knows: his work leaves no one untouched. Whether you listen to his much-praised solo albums "For the Light in Thy Heart" and "Soothing Green", or experience him live in an intimate setting, DRIES touches you right in the heart. His music breathes raw sincerity, tells personal stories and is deeply rooted in traditions. Enriched with social commentary and steeped in poetry, DRIES takes you into his world within seconds.

With his velvety voice, virtuoso guitar playing and masterful compositions, he forges an irresistible mix of Blues Americana and Folk Rock. Every live performance by DRIES is a unique listening experience, in which emotion and craftsmanship come together seamlessly.

It is tempting to say that DRIES should have taken his place among the big names in the music world long ago. But DRIES follows his own course. With an uncompromising dedication to authenticity and an innovative view on Folkrock, he treads the path of a true musical pioneer in his own way. His music speaks straight from the heart – and touches exactly there. DRIES BONGAERTS is not just an artist; he is an experience that you have to experience.