It’s already from 2016 ago that Wanthanee won De Nieuwe Lichting in our very own AB. Five years and a few pandemics later, she has finally put out her debut album ‘W A N T H A N E E’.

The ‘nightingale of De Panne’ has lost none of her plumage, her brilliant voice is now more fully accompanied by rich arrangements. The advance singles ‘Mid Day Dream’, ‘Taipei’ and ‘Soon’ are certainly wonderful foretastes.

To get to know our artists even better, we serve them a few simple but not unimportant questions. Meet Wanthanee!

What do you do in daily life?

Prepare meals, design spaces, sing, look around me and enjoy. 

Who is/are your greatest musical influences? 

All the Disney princesses. They taught me that you have to ‘sing off’ your feelings and emotions!

What is your favourite place? 

There are several places: the dunes (in warm weather), the tropical forests of Thailand (when it rains) and the internet (in cold weather).

What are your musical ambitions?

I don’t have those. I just hope to use music as a means of comfort for the rest of my life.

What is your favourite instrument?

My violin. Whenever I play it, (which I’ve been doing since I was five), my love of the instrument returns.

And it’s the only instrument that can make me cry (because it’s so beautiful ;) )!

Do you come to AB and Brussels often?

To be honest, until now, I’ve only been to AB when I’ve played there myself, haha. I would like to come more (both the AB and Brussels) because there is so much to discover. Unfortunately, there is so little time for all that wonderful stuff. 

What are you expecting from your show at AB?

An enjoyable evening. A lot of friends and family will be coming, and I really want to make a big show of it.

So my stories will be more detailed. On top of that, there may be things said that you wouldn’t hear at any other time ;)

I’m already at ease. And everyone is welcome!

Are there special requests on your rider?

No... If there were anything special I would add, then it would be a sketch pad and some charcoal (or pencils/marker). Then I could draw while waiting and after a number of shows create a collection of them.

What is the best concert you ever saw?

Stromae’s show from his 'Racine Carrée' album in Montréal. I wasn’t there live (unfortunately), but have watched it on DVD many times.

Truely, a TOP show.

What is the next concert you will go to yourself?

There’s nothing more planned at the moment. By now, I’m already known among my friends as the one who never goes to concerts or listens to a lot of music.

Name an artist and there’s a 90% chance that I won’t know them.

What is your favourite food?

Green papaya salad with sticky rice and crispy tofu.

What impact did corona have on your creativity?

There was absolutely nothing to experience and therefore nothing to write about.

Do you have anything important you would like to mention?

I’ve noticed that many people are having a hard time re-finding themselves after the lockdown(s). As a result, there is more stress in the air and people crave freedom & vacation but, at the same time, feel the urge to work hard. We want to believe that we are mentally and physically capable of carrying the world on our shoulders, so to speak, (and expect others to too)! But in doing so we forget that we are animals and actually already do more than is necessary. 

Please don’t keep maintain this situation by believing that working against your nature is THE way to be happy in life. Rest enough.

And keep complimenting each other, as we’re doing such a damn good job.

• There are still tickets for her concert on Tuesday 9 November. You can find those tickets HERE.