Café Kelder: away! away! + Hecla + Valerie and the rain

Away! away! aims to escape with the audience into the timeframe of a beautiful song. Frederik Karcher & Helena Van Hoolst came together out of a shared purpose to write songs of meaning and empathy. Drawing from a deep well of inspiration built while studying classical and avant-garde music, their sound echoes folk, film- and pop-noir, and crooners (a bit of emo, a bit of Elvis). While their work moves within the atmosphere of pop, they love to break free from conventional structures; the compositions unfold on their own terms, and the music goes wherever the story takes it.

Hecla is the musical project of singer-songwriter Kristof Van den Bergh, based in Kalmthout. His songs start with the lyrics, leaving plenty of room for symbolism, metaphor, and interpretation. From his guitar or banjo, he conjures weathered sounds that set just the right mood to carry his words. Major influences include Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Jason Molina, and Chelsea Wolfe, alongside folk musicians like Derroll Adams and poets such as Lorca, Miłosz, and Herbert.

Valerie and the rain is the musical universe of composer and singer-songwriter Valerie Van Roey. Her music is a blend of folk and classical composition, inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell, Arvo Pärt, and Linda Perhacs. Whether performing solo or with her band, Valerie invites listeners into a world of delicate, intimate songs.