So another day of scouring the web for some good music and actually a day that I found something special. Of all places, on MySpace (it isn’t all that bad after all, I guess…) I have found an artist that represents perfectly my preference of the hushed and unhurried sound. Everyone, I give you “a Singer of Songs”. 
More than being a basic description: “a Singer of Songs” is an alias sparse enough for it to be enough for him, fitting from the very first time you hear him. By “him” I mean Lieven Scheerlinck, who by name alone seems to not be a native of his current residence in Spain (or maybe he is, I am just Canadian what do I know?). Regardless of where he may call home, his songs would never be far from where he may lay his head. His songs are soft, beautiful, and at times heart wrenching. Recorded in almost single takes each time, they are always kept fresh and in the moment of when they are written. I feel that the songs that have been recorded are not “spur of the moment” but simply of the moment. Take them as a slice in time where experiences and feelings make it to recordings almost immediately as time and hindsight can soften the sharpest edges (if you know where I am going with this). Regardless of what Lieven may have gone through in order to have such songs of heartbreak and beauty, I thank him for sharing them.
While his solo recordings might seem “dark and lonesome”, you may also enjoy another facet of his work in the band “Birdcircus”, which retains some of the rawness of a Singer of Songs. While the band could be considered folk/Americana and even indie (sorry for that label) and I feel that Lieven’s sound has become a part of Birdcircus, a part that I believe can be heard in the newer 2008 tracks from the band. Let me know if you feel the same way, check them out via their MySpace pages – a Singer of Songs & Birdcircus.
With that, I will leave you with how Lieven described his music to me and how he relates to it – “…a piece of wood to hold on to when the waves get too rough…”
I hope these songs find a home with you.
~Smansmith
I’m just listening to this Spanish heart resident Singer. May be due to proxemic laws : let’s say the afternoon was more than pleasant ! Joy of a Solitary Man first two/three notes and title reminds me, my Chris Isaak’s favorite… For sure nothing compares except the superb ! Thanks for sharing !
Actually he’s Belgian and playing a show tonight 25 miles from where I live. ???? I’ve known him as a journalist and co-writer of tv scenarios but I was unaware of his musical identity. No wonder he headed for the South…:( btw, it’s Scheerlinck, but can’t think of any English word that has that sch-sound. Wonderful music just keeps on getting ‘thrown’ at me. Thx.
HA! Small world eh, Leentje! of all the artists I picked him and he is already connected in the circles!
Well if he is playing tonight, you should head on over and say hi from me!!
Sman