Belgian singer, songwriter, and accordionist Willem Belcanto is releasing his new album on September 25, followed by a live performance at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on October 10. The veteran artist, known for his deep affinity for the gritty, unpolished edges of urban life, drew direct inspiration for the project from an unexpected historical encounter in the Belgian capital.
Discovery of the Pavilion of Human Passions
During a recent walk through Brussels’ Jubelpark, Belcanto encountered the historic Pavilion of Human Passions, housing the monumental relief by sculptor Jef Lambeaux. Conservative and Catholic circles historically condemned the piece as a “marble brothel,” a moniker Belcanto embraces.
“The whole thematic of life is in it, everything that is so deep in my work: love, lust, suffering, desire, loss, hell, sin,” Belcanto said. “What a compliment, trouwens, for Lambeaux. If you get reactions like that, then you have achieved the ultimate.”
Bridging High Culture and Popular Music
The monument provided both the album’s title and its philosophical core. Unlike his previous upbeat and humor-infused songs, Belcanto’s new tracks adopt a starker tone, exploring the grim reality of existence alongside intellectual touchstones like Arthur Schopenhauer, Gerard Reve, and Michel Houellebecq.
“What is wrong with a folk singer who reads Schopenhauer?” Belcanto remarked. “I have always bridged the gap between the common people and the intellectual. Both university professors and dockworkers love my music, and I find that fantastic.”
Reflecting on Urban Decay in Brussels
Though Belcanto never maintained a permanent residence in Brussels, he frequently traveled to the city to visit locations like L’Espérance, a traditional café where he observed local patrons. He acknowledges that the city’s rough edges have changed significantly over time. While he describes himself as a romantic drawn to “the dirty côté of the city” and back alleys, he notes that modern urban problems have escalated beyond romanticization.
“I am a romantic; I romanticize the dirty côté of the city. The slums. The dangerous, the forbidden appeals to me enormously. But now it is getting out of hand here. There is not much left to romanticize,” Belcanto said.
The upcoming album release is scheduled for September 25, with the live concert presentation taking place at the Former Belgium on October 10.
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