Travel Tracks: Belgium
The single version of “Zoutelande” is a collaboration between Dutch band BLØF and Flemish singer Geike Arnaert. This is the first time for Arnaert to sing in Dutch. Her previous work for both Hooverphonic and her solo career has always been in the English language.
Zoutelande is a small town in the Dutch province of Zeeland, but the original version of the song is about Frankfurt Oder in Germany. BLØF’s bass player rewrote the lyrics, while keeping the essence of the song. It’s about trying to entertain yourself in somewhat of a dreary place, without having much money or things to do.
BLØF themselves have been around since 1992, and have worked together with many (inter)national artists over the years, such as Counting Crows, Cristina Branco, Ilse DeLange and Japanese taiko-drumming group Kodo.
Whether you like the song or not, the mayor of Zoutelande is already spending the tourism euros.
Shuffle Surprise
Last month The National won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for “Sleep Well Beast.” Having played at both Obama and Clinton events, The National is taking it a step further with “Walk it Back.” The song uses a political quote that appeared in a New York Times Magazine article from 2004. You can find more on this article and the “reality-based community” here.
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