MATTIAS DE CRAENE

&

BLACK KOYO

An adventurous and intense fusion of contemporary and Gnawa music.

Mattias De Craene - whether performing solo or with bands such as Nordmann and MDCIII—is on a fascinating journey that incorporates jazz, electronica, drones, and the interplay between visuals and music. Whether exploring contemporary sounds or providing live accompaniment for film, De Craene consistently puts his personal stamp on his creations. He seeks and innovates, proving that spirituality and technology need not stand in each other’s way.

With this project, he creates a fusion of traditional Gnawa music and his own soundscape. He traveled to Morocco to familiarize himself with the cultural customs and musical traditions there, and began collaborating with local musicians as well as representatives of the Brussels Gnawa community (the largest outside of Morocco). In the musicians of Black Koyo, he found the ideal collaborators to incorporate his impressions and ideas into a crossover.

Don’t expect a faithful reproduction of North African styles or an overly superficial appropriation. What you’ll hear is an inventive and exciting blend of tradition and innovation, of earthy ritualism and ethereal exploration, infused with the dark edge that characterizes so much of De Craene’s music. It is not merely a meeting of cultures, but an intertwining, a profound dialogue.