Isbells and the noise settles

The sixth Isbells album, titled ‘and the noise settles’, is the first ever where Gaëtan Vandewoude hands over total control over the production to fellow band member Chantal Acda. It will be released on January 17, 2025. The magic of the recording sessions will be brought to life on stage by the core Isbells band: Gerd Van Mulder (bass, trumpet), Christophe Vandewoude (drums), Chantal Acda (keys & vocals), Gianni Marzo (guitar), and Gaëtan Vandewoude (vocals, guitar, keys).

In 2021, Gaëtan Vandewoude and his band, Isbells, decided to create their new album together from the very beginning. They worked in an intimate studio in Lommel, where they laid the foundations for new songs through jam sessions. These sessions resulted in raw demos and new ideas with promising potential. After these sessions, Gaëtan retreated to his own studio to further develop and refine these ideas.

Although the creative process with the band members was running smoothly, Gaëtan suddenly hit a creative block. The inspiration seemed to ebb away, and for the first time, he felt that something was missing. As a perfectionist artist who is used to controlling every detail himself, he found it difficult to let go. During a candid conversation with band member and best friend Chantal Acda, he shared his concerns. Then something happened that changed the dynamics of the project: Gaëtan asked her to take on the role of producer. This would mark the first time he wasn't the producer of his own album.

Acda delved deeply into the original demos but soon brought her own vision and approach into play. Her unique style and keen instincts allowed the music to evolve in an organic and authentic way. The initial ideas for further developing the music led to the use of instruments that went beyond the band's usual lineup. Piano, strings, double bass, clarinet, and alto saxophone added a warm, acoustic sound to the music. As producer, Acda brought in musicians with whom Vandewoude had not previously worked.

The tracks were recorded in the studio of Nicolas Rombauts, who also played bass guitar on the album. Producer Chantal Acda, who contributed vocals and guitar, invited several musicians to participate in the recordings, including drummer Anke Verslype, guitarist Elko Blijweert (Dead Man Ray, Rudy Trouvé Sextet), pianist Niels Verheest, violinist Patricia Vanneste (Sohnarr, ex-Balthazar), alto saxophonist Frans Van Isacker (Franco Saint De Bakker, FENNA), pianist Valgeir Sigurdsson, clarinetist Firas Al-Alwani, and trumpeter Jon Birdsong.

The result of these new collaborations is a free and spontaneous album that tells stories as they emerge in the moment, with Vandewoude and the other musicians instinctively sensing and inspiring one another. Free and adventurous, with a deep mutual understanding, this album reflects the meeting of free spirits who understand each other without words and create something unique together. It is an intimate, honest encounter, where the power of simplicity, sincerity, magic, and connection take center stage.