Belgium musicians Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer have both been active in the field of experimental music since the 1990s—Dirk as a drummer and Jef as a documentary filmmaker.
It wasn’t until 2023 that they met for the first time, after Jef also began focusing on improvised music. In Jef’s attic, the chemistry was immediate, and they recorded their first tape, A Void Dance. Regarding the release, Gonzo wrote: “The duo’s debut leaves you wanting more—much more. Let them play together often. Sparks will fly every time.”
In 2024, they swapped the attic for a studio in Brussels. Jef traded his guitar for the Japanese Taishogoto, and once again, the connection clicked.
'Wonderful Brutalism' is an epic, and at times intense slice of improvisation - drums and taishogoto build into an unrelenting stampede with moments of gentle cinematic soundscape.
