Balthazar

Balthazar is a Belgian indie rock band from Kortrijk that formed in 2004 with Maarten Devoldere on lead vocals and guitar, Jinte Deprez on guitar and vocals, Simon Casier on bass, and Joachim Van der Stichelen on drums. Their debut album 'Applause' came out in 2010 and got them some early attention. They followed it with 'Rats' in 2012 and 'Thin Walls' in 2015, records that often dealt with themes of love and loss through somber melodies. In 2019, they released 'Fever', which felt a bit brighter and more optimistic than their earlier work.

Devoldere writes most of the band's lyrics, which tend to be poetic and direct. Songs like 'Decency', 'Blood Like Wine', and 'Mentira' show their knack for pairing melancholic moods with steady, danceable rhythms. They've also recorded tracks in Portuguese, including 'Depois de Ti Depois do Amor' and 'Águas Passadas', which expanded their reach beyond the usual indie rock circles.

In 2016, Devoldere spoke openly about dealing with depression, which resonated with some listeners who found similar struggles in the band's music. While they've built a steady following in Europe, their sound has sometimes been called overly emotional or introspective by critics. They keep a fairly low profile, releasing albums every few years without much fuss.