“*****” … “The first great album of 2013.” (The Guardian)
“9/10” … ‘This soulful debut is a stunning introduction.” (Uncut)
“****” … “Brilliant, with plenty of room for growth.” (De Standaard)

Man in a white suit. Beard. Glasses. Long black hair. The sort of image you never forget. Welcome to the wonder world of Matthew E. White! The one man overlooked in every crystal ball when it comes to the ‘sound of 2013’. Welcome too, to the world of Spacebomb: the label that White set up in the spirit of the legendary soul label Stax. With a real in-house orchestra, of the type that The Bar-Keys were for Stax.

His debut ‘Big Inner’ , exhales soul. And country. And gospel. Think Lambchop at the time of ‘Nixon’, but Randy Newman, Shuggie Otis and The Band as well. This son of a missionary is going to be around for a while. His label already has a colossal output ready and waiting from artists linked to bands/collectives like Megafaun and Gayngs.

His debut is a mere seven tracks. But – as The Guardian pontificates: “White and his musicians achieve the kinds of loveliness that Spiritualized, Lambchop, Cat Power and the Beta Band have tilted at and quite often missed.”

Missing Matthew E. White’s first Belgian performance could well be your first mistake of ’13. A tip we are only too happy to whisper in your ear.

Night Beds

Gram Parsons, Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters) and My Morning Jacket. That's where you can situate America's Night Beds. Big asset is certainly frontman Winston Yellen from Nashville.

Just listen to the track ‘Ramona’ and you'll immediately know why AB and Matthew E. White fell for them.