2025 marks the grand return Glitterpaard with their new single ‘Black Page’. The members bring an impressive history, with previous projects including Millionaire, Marble Sounds, Portland, and more.
“In Glitterpaard, Johan and I each write half of the songs. So it was refreshing to just be the guitarist on Johan’s Black Page — and a little bit the harmonica player too. I can’t really play harmonica at all, but somehow it fit the Beck-like vibe of the song.” — Philip
Glitterpaard is often referred to as a supergroup in Belgium, as each band member has made a significant mark on the Belgian music scene. Originally formed as a Sparklehorse cover band, Glitterpaard has since evolved into a project with a life of its own. Their exact musical style remains somewhat undefined, even to the band itself. They describe their sound as a mix of intimate melancholy and gritty rock, with one consistent element running through their work: glitter.
“At home, I try to tune all my guitars differently — and then forget how I tuned them. That way, when I pick one up, I’m often completely surprised by the sound it makes. That’s exactly what happened with the riff of Black Page. I played a chord that technically didn’t fit, but I loved how it sounded. And just like that, the song kind of wrote itself, as they say.” — Johan
The previous single Big Fun is like a fever dream about desire in which the line between reality and dream blurs. The atmosphere of the song is what you might expect if Sparklehorse went in the studio with Dr Dre. Produced by the band itself, the track captures the unmistakable Glitterpaard energy.
In 2022, Glitterpaard released a well-received self-titled debut album. Not long after the accompanying concerts, new ideas were already brewing, prompting a return to the Hoboken-based Studio Swamp. However, turbulent personal times and unforeseen professional challenges delayed production and disrupted hopes for a swift process.
Weekly recording sessions on Thursdays provided the band with the calm needed to experiment, reflect, and refine. This process turned the creation of Thursday into both a therapeutic escape and a creative outlet for tackling life’s big and small struggles.
These turbulent times also led to a great deal of self-reflection. As a result, the songs on Thursday are among the most personal works from Bosschaerts and Verckist. Musically, the band delved deeper, crafting a richly layered world that doesn’t fully reveal itself on the first listen. While a debut album should unapologetically make a bold statement, a second album challenges a band to communicate with greater nuance—and Thursday rises to that challenge beautifully.
The album showcases Glitterpaard’s versatility, from the disarming, heartfelt sorrow of “Lost In Your Gold” to the raw groove of “Mythomania,” from the introspective “Quiet Boys” to the playful, Velvet Underground-inspired rock of “Black Page.” Each track demonstrates how the diverse backgrounds of the band members merge to create a mature, multifaceted sound.
The band once again handled production themselves, with drummer Damien Vanderhasselt at the controls. Jerboa Mastering provided the final polish. Thursday reflects how Glitterpaard has transformed life’s challenges into musical strength. The instrumental track “Days of Jupiter” concludes with the statement: “We are at a pivotal moment in history.” For Glitterpaard, Thursday is that moment.
The band promises to deliver on the wonderfully intricate sound and stellar live reputation established with their debut album and tour. In an era where music projects increasingly lean toward individualism, Glitterpaard champions the power of collaboration. Though still a relatively new band, its members have impressive individual track records from projects like Millionaire, Marble Sounds, Portland, Wardrobe, and Mintzkov, with notable success both at home and abroad.
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glitterpaard
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glitterpaard
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glitterpaard917
DSP's
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0iMqLKSQA3Vdl9t5jO7SPd?si=bE-cojIDRTy2QjPGZlOtrQ
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/nl/artist/glitterpaard/1591310405
- Amazon:https://music.amazon.com/artists/B09JWK8SQX/glitterpaard
- Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/149044342
- Label Inquiries: christiaan@polymoon.nl / loran@polymoon.nl
- Booking: herman@peterverstraelen.com
- Promo: Filip De Grootte