VAAGUE is a drums-and-electronics solo project from Brussels-based drummer, composer, and producer Antoine Pierre. A leading figure on the Belgian scene, Pierre is the focal point for musical projects URBEX, Next.Ape and VAAGUE, and he is also a member of bands with the legendary guitarist Philip Catherine and TaxiWars; the jazz vs. rock experiment led by Tom Barman (dEUS) and Robin Verheyen.
Citing artists such as Squarepusher, Clark, Deantoni Parks, Jon Hopkin, Flying Lotus, and Floating Points as inspiration, debut album ‘Oktopus Mekaniks’ is set for release on the 18th October via Shapes No Frames and to mark the official album announcement today (23rd May), VAAGUE is pleased to share the video for ‘Leviathan’ – the first single to be taken form the album – where acoustics and electronics merge with incisive energy.
Pierre gradutated from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in 2014 before moving the New York for a year to study, later receiving the Sabam Jazz Award. He released his first studio album under the moniker ARBEX in 2016, with follow-up album ‘Sketches of Nowhere’ released in 2018.
In 2020, he begun an artist-in-residence at the Brussels Jazz Festival (Flagey), where he present 3 different projects: an all-star quartet with American saxophonist Joshua Redman, a completely improvised set with fellow drummers Lander Gyselinck (STUFF.) and Mark Schilders, and an internationally expanded version of URBEX. The latter was recorded and resulted in the ‘Suspended’ album released the same year to critical acclaim.
His follow-up project Next.Ape demonstrated his versatile artistic personality. Teaming up with Hungarian singer Veronika Harcsa, guitarist Lorenzo Di Maio, keyboardist Jérôme Klein and multi-instrumentalist Cédric Raymond, they released their debut EP in 2019 and toured internationally with American saxophonist Ben Wendel as a special guest. Their debut album ‘The Fourth Wall’ was released in 2023 on Shapes no Frame – Pierre’s brand-new label in collaboration with [PIAS] Belgium.
VAAGUE ‘Oktopus Mekaniks’
Album released 18th October
Shapes No Frames
Tracklisting:
1. ‘(40.000 feet)’’ – intro
2. ‘Leviathan’
3. ‘Amsterdamn’ feat. Stuart McCallum
4. ‘Prospekt Park’
5. ‘Mekaniks’
6. ‘Sunset Junktion’
7. ‘We’ll See’ feat. Anna McLuckie
8. Typhoon’
9. ‘Takes Time’
10. ‘Release the Kraken’
11. ‘Ignition’
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