Unfading popularity is the goal of any musical group. Unfortunately, this is not so easy to achieve. Not everyone can withstand tough competition, rapidly changing trends. The same cannot be said about the Belgian band Hooverphonic. The team has been confidently keeping afloat for 25 years. Proof of this is not only a stable concert and studio activity, but also a nomination as a participant in an international music competition.
The beginning of the creative path of the group Hooverphonic
The musical group Hooverphonic was founded in 1995 in Flanders. Three friends - Frank Duchamp, Alex Callier, Raymond Geertz have long created and reproduced rhythmic melodies, but did not dare to go out to the public.
Franck Duchamp played keyboards, soloist, Alex Callier was the bass player, programmed melodies, and Raymond Geertz complemented the sound with a standard guitar.
The musicians decided to invite a vocalist to the group. This role was originally played by Lesier Sadonyi. The girl at that moment studied at the Academy of Dramatic Art. The new feature was an opportunity for her to express herself. But Lesier did not associate her professional activities with the group for a long time.
Difficulties with the name
Initially, the guys hurried to name the team Hoover. An interesting idea arose unexpectedly. One member reported that their music sucks like a vacuum cleaner. The entire composition of the group enthusiastically supported this comparison.
After two years of activity, the name had to be changed. A number of factors contributed to this. Firstly, the well-known vacuum cleaner company of the same name expressed dissatisfaction. Secondly, there were changes in the team: the first soloist left the group. It was decided to add phonic to the original name - sound, acoustic.
At the beginning of their creative activity, the Hooverphonic group performed music that was classified as trip-hop. At the same time, the guys did not strive to create a homogeneous sound. In the compositions of the group, notes of rock quickly began to be heard. Experts call musicians versatile performers capable of a lot.
The first achievements of the Hooverphonic group
Surprisingly, the first single recorded by Hooverphonic was immediately noticed. Composition 2 Wicky (1996) became the soundtrack to the film Stealing Beauty by the famous Bernardo Bertolucci. The same song was featured in the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
And also in 2004 in the production of Heights. The group, inspired by the success, recorded their first album. The A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular LP has less than a dozen tracks. After that, the musicians organized a tour of Europe and America.
First personnel changes
After three months of living "on suitcases", Lesier Sadoniy announced her departure from the group. The girl could not stand the excessively active rhythm of activity. She did not want to commit herself to participating in various shows, attending various events.
In March 1997, a new vocalist, young Heike Arnart, joined the band. At that time, the girl was only 17 years old. When the soloist turned 18, a contract was signed. In 1998, the band released a new studio album, Blue Wonder Power Milk. Lesier Sadonyi again participated in the recording of the songs Eden and Club Montepulciano. After the release of this collection, Frank Duchamp announced his departure from the band.
New Hooverphonic albums - a contribution to history
The Millennium was a fateful year for the band. The band has recorded a new compilation, The Magnificent Tree. Almost half of the singles from this disc remain the most popular to this day. Alex Callier has now become the leader of the group.
The result of enhanced development was the strengthening of the position of the group. This was largely facilitated by the new album Presents Jackie Cane, recorded in 2002. The updated sound, interesting presentation of the material was adequately received by the listeners.
The band Hooverphonic in 2000 recorded a song for the upcoming opening ceremony of the European Football Championship. Preparations for the event just took place in the capital of Belgium. The composition Visions has acquired the status of a visiting card of the games, the team has become very popular.
Attempts to "revive" activity
For most of the current decade, there were no serious events in the group. The Hooverphonic group tried to add innovations. In 2003, the guys recorded an orchestral album with live sound and singles from previous years. Sit Down and Listen to Hooverphonic was supposed to be a rehearsal for performances. In 2005, the band recorded a new album at their own studio. You can hear a new concept in the songs, and rock in The President of LSD Golf Club (2007).
Lineup changes again
In 2008, Heike Arnart left the band to pursue a solo career. The search for a new voice for the team lasted two years. In 2010, the recording of the new album The Night Before took place with the participation of a new soloist: Noémie Wolfs. Attention to the group immediately increased. The new album quickly went platinum.
Naomi Wolfs left the line-up in 2015. Various soloists participated in the recording of the album In Wonderland, which was released in 2016. The search was not only among female, but also male voices. Only in 2018, the team decided on a new permanent soloist. She became Luka Kreisbergs. The girl sang during the recording of the Looking For Stars album.
Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest
In the fall of 2019, it became known that Hooverphonic would represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The epidemiological situation in the world did not allow the event to take place. The concert was rescheduled for next year. It has been announced that Hooverphonic will represent Belgium in Rotterdam in 2021 with Release Me.
Creative searches, changes in the composition of the team did not negatively affect the popularity. The work of the Hooverphonic group remains in demand. Currently, the group's genre is classified as a lounge style. Fans highly appreciate the merits and ambitions of the team.
Hooverphonic band in 2021
In 2021, it became known that the band will represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. In Rotterdam, the musicians presented The Wrong Place on stage.
The presented song is included in the new LP Hidden Stories, which the band presented on May 7, 2021. The collection was recorded with the participation of G. Arnart, who is the replacement for Luke Kreisbergs.
On May 18, it turned out that the team went to the final. On May 22, it became known that the musicians took 19th place.
