It seems like years ago. 1999, Limbomania, one of the largest Belgian popcontests, also means the first appearance ever of an artist then known as Alias. Still a boy, but armed with a powerful voice, skillful guitarplaying and hauntingly beautiful, melancholic songs, the newborn singersongwriter sets fire to the audience and the jury, and leaves the stage with praise for his acoustic playing and well-crafted songs. Partaking in Limbomania leads AliasGrey into the studio, where a first demo (Bad Weather) is recorded, and brings his music to different venues in Flanders, even crossing the borders to the Netherlands. At that point, however, reality gets in the way. Apart from brief stints with a university band called Sunday Manners (resulting in yet another winning contest, and compliments from jurymembers Ronny Mosuse and Kris Debruyne) and occasional playing and singing in other bands, Stijn Gevaert, AliasGrey seems to have disappeared from the Belgian stage.
After university, AliasGrey starts working for Belgian television, as an editor for a talkshow featuring Jan Leyers as host. After the first season, however, AliasGrey is invited to come to Amsterdam, Dutch city of sex, drugs and rock ’n roll, and for the next four years he throws himself into a world of songwriting and playing with a zillion bands, coached by the likes of Mathilde Santing and Martijn van Agt (guitarplayer with Dutch rock-icon Anouk).And that’s where we are at this point. The Dutch adventure is over (is it?), Belgium calls, AliasGrey returns home. The first gig on solid ground is one supporting Sioen, Belgian major artist, and it shows Aliasgrey hasn’t lost any of his characteristic traits: intimate songs that tell a lot and melodic melancholy wrapped into an even stronger voice. Think of Tom Helsen and Novastar, but somehow less polished and slightly more odd, add some Jeff Buckley, some Beatles and a hint of Ryan Adams. Or think of no one (what’s in an name…), go find AliasGrey, and listen for yourself. AliasGrey is ready to rock the world. Starting yours…
AliasGrey and Ryan at the Gentse Feesten July21th
Alias Grey and Greg in the Middle soundcheck at Speelvogels
