Cover art by Dimitri Rondeau
OCD034 : Kurtisz / Wired
After releasing three singles (see Blue Bolts, Consequences and Keys), and with the aide of super producer Pierre Vervloesem, Kurtisz finished the recording and mixing of their debut album 'Wired'.
Brussels based band KURTISZ came to light when Belgian musician/producer Laurent Stelleman and Detroit native singer/songwriter Markest Tate joined forces to bring about a divine, melodic blend of genre bending music.
Conjuring up the retro sounds from The Eurythmics to Moloko to The Cure to Massive Attack, Kurtisz could easily form alliances with the likes of Moderat, Disclosure, Christine and the Queens and James Blake.
Markest was born in Detroit (USA) where he studied Communications, Theatre and Dance at university. He was raised by a single mom after his stepfather, Tamla Motown recording artist Timmy Shaw who scored a minor hit that made its way into admirer John Lennon's personal jukebox, left the picture. His mother always filled their home with music by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, George Clinton & the Funkadelics and Chaka Khan. Upon graduation he left for Brussels with $200 in his pocket to pursue a career in dance. He found work in Alain Platel's company Les Ballets C de la B and danced in several shows with Pascale Platel. After several years as a dancer, Markest decided to switch to a music career. As cofounder and lead singer of Brussels group Speaking T and two albums under their belt, the band went on to successfully perform at Dour, the Gentse Feesten, Marktrock, Les Nuits Botaniques, Franco Follies in Spa, Verdur Rock and the Ancienne Belgique just to name a few. Markest has also written songs for several European artists. Speaking T eventually disbanded and that is when Markest hooked up with Laurent.
Laurent was born in Cologne, Germany to a Flemish father who was serving in the military at the time and a Walloon mother. His father played guitar and bass in cover bands for parties. Laurent caught the music bug at a very early when he joined the Académie de Musique in Dinant, Belgium at the age of 6 and at age 7 he started learning classical guitar. When he was 15 he started his first rock bands. He later entered the Jazz Music Conservatory in Brussels and graduated 5 years later. His early dreams as a producer began when he taught himself to master a four track recorder. He's also no stranger to the big stage performing with Monsoon, Lunascape, Mud Flow, Goudi, Flesh & Fell, Marie Warnant at Pukkelpop Marktrock, Les Ardentes, Botanique, Ancienne Belgique amongst others. His musical influences include Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Sonic Youth, Radiohead..the list goes on. He's been enlisted to record on more than 20 albums in the last 10 years. He has produced EPs for various artists and his first jazz album The Dude which was released last year.
Markest and Laurent
Gilles Masson on keys and backing vocals for lives
Didier Vu on drums for lives
The 'Blue Bolts' video:
Super Highway video:
and some fun:
Digital release on the 30th of September 2016.
Physical release on the 15th of October 2016.
Track listing:
1: Consequences
2: Riddle Me This
3: Keys
4: This Sound
5: Backbone
6: Blue Bolts
7: Wake Me Up
8: Too Far
9: Time To Walk Away
10: Forefathers
11: Superhighway
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