Absynthe Minded

Absynthe Minded

Absynthe Minded is a Belgian indie rock group from Ghent, active since 1999. The band begins as a one-man project: singer and guitarist Bert Ostyn records the first demos alone in his bedroom in Ghent before expanding the line-up.

Formation and early releases

In 2002, Ostyn brings in Renaud Ghilbert on violin, trumpet and percussion, Sergej Van Bouwel on bass and contrabass, and Jan Duthoy on Hammond organ and piano, forming the Absynthe Minded Quartet, soon shortened to Absynthe Minded. The group’s early sound draws on thirties jazz, soul, Merseyside pop, Balkan music and gypsy music. Its first release is the History Makes Science Fiction EP in 2003, issued on the independent Keremos label.

Breakthrough and albums

The band finishes second in the Belgian rock contest Humo's Rock Rally in 2004, which brings it wider media attention. Later that year, with drummer Jakob Nachtergaele added to the line-up, it releases its first full-length album, Acquired Taste, followed a year later by New Day. The single “My Heroics, Part One” becomes a hit and leads to touring in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. During this period the band also supports dEUS on their European tour.

Later career

For There Is Nothing in 2007 and the self-titled Absynthe Minded in 2009, the band signs with Universal. Its line-up includes Bert Ostyn, Jan Duthoy, Renaud Ghilbert, Sergej Van Bouwel, Jakob Nachtergaele, Simon Segers, Wouter Vlaeminck and Toon Vlerick. The group is associated with jazz and rock and operates under Absynthe Minded Records.

Status

In February 2015, Absynthe Minded announces a split, although the group is listed as active from 1999 to the present.