Balthazar

Balthazar are a Belgian indie pop band from Kortrijk, active since 2004. Their sound sits in indie pop and pop rock, and their recordings also draw on alternative rock, with elements of neo-psychedelia, electro-pop and garage punk.

Formation and early years

The band begins as a teenage group in Kortrijk. The early lineup includes Maarten Devoldere on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, Jinte Deprez on guitar and vocals, and Patricia Vanneste on violin, keyboards and vocals. In 2005, they win a national youth talent competition with the song “Lost and Found”.

They release their self-titled debut EP in 2006, with “Lost and Found” included on it. By that point, Joachim Quartier joins on bass and Koen Verfaillie on drums.

Line-up changes

In early 2007, Simon Casier and Christophe Claeys replace the rhythm section. The group then begins performing outside Belgium the following year, playing in nearby countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. In 2009, they tour clubs in South Africa before returning to the studio.

Albums and chart success

Their first full-length album, Applause, arrives in March 2010 and spends a week at number 13 on the Belgian album chart. The band plays European summer festivals such as Pukkelpop and Rock Werchter, and tours with the Joy Formidable and dEUS.

The second album, Rats, is released by Play It Again Sam in 2012 and reaches number one in Belgium. It also charts in France and the Netherlands, and its mixing is handled by Noah Georgeson.

Thin Walls, released in 2015, is the third studio album. It is the band’s first record with an outside producer, Ben Hillier, and reaches number two in Belgium and the Top 20 in the Netherlands. The line-up on the album includes Devoldere, Deprez, Vanneste, Casier and drummer Michiel Balcaen.

Patricia Vanneste leaves the group in April 2018 after 14 years. The remaining members return in 2019 with Fever, issued on PIAS. Its title track becomes the band’s first single to chart in Belgium, entering at number 47. In 2021, they release Sand, an album centred on themes of restlessness and waiting. Its cover is designed by sculptor Margriet Van Breevort.

Membership

The band’s members include Joachim Quartier, Koen Verfaillie, Patricia Vanneste, Jinte Deprez, Maarten Devoldere, Christophe Claeys, Simon Casier, Michiel Balcaen and Tijs Delbeke.