Hale-Bopp

Hale-Bopp: a New Kid in Town.

Hale-bopp is band based around singer/songwriter Bjorn Awouters, who won the Limbomania contest in 1996.

Pop-rock infused with soul is the best way to discribe their music. Songs full of atmosphere, powerfully sung and skillfully played. Sometimes gloomy, often light-hearted and sunny.
Four musicians who have a great drive looking for an audience who love listening to pure music.

Queen of the Night is the bands debut album. The production was in the hands of Werner Pensaert (Zita Swoon, Ks Choice, The Scabs, Th Lau, ). He brought renowned musicians like Vincent Pierens, Micheal Schack and Eddie Connard to the studio. And thanks to him even Beverly Jo Scott and Faithless drummer Andy Treacy dropped in.

If theres one think Bjorn doesnt have than its a lack of drive. He knows what he wants, and doesnt stop till it sounds the way he hears it in his head.

Bjorn: I write everything on my own, lyrics, bass lines, guitar solos, choirs, drums, everything. I hear it all in my head, but cant write it down. So I play it all to walk to musicians through whats going on in my mind. Finding the balance on stage is no problem, but in the studio it can be hell.
Thats the reason with mainly worked with studio musicians to record the album. They were able to play exactly what I felt. And thank goodness I had Werner. I just had to tell him what I was thinking, he turned some knobs and all of a sudden everyone heard trough the speakers what was in my head.

The result is Queen of the Night, a debut album that contains inspired song full of atmosphere where melodious pop, steaming rock meets soul. This combination makes it a very timeless entity.

After recording the band was formed:
Bjorn Awouters, Hasselt, lead vocals, guitar 27/06/1977
Guy Coolen, Bocholt, guitar, 23/02/1977 - 12/01/2003
Remko Kuhne, Tilburg, piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, 22/11/1973 (ex - Hooverphonic)
Arnout Hellofs, Hasselt, drums, 26/03/1978 (ex - Sweater)
Joeffrey Claeys, Bekegem, bass, 27/11/1978 (ex - Rascal Gnomes)

Waiting, the first single, is released in June 2002. The video, made by Bjorn and Joeffrey, instantly became super tip on TMF.
The next single, Gum (October 2002), also gets lots of airplay on the different national radio stations.

In the beginning of 2003 the third single was planned with the release of the album shortly after.
But on January 12th 2003 guitarist Guy Coolen takes his own live.

I wont be coming home tonight sing Bjorn in Blue. This song originally had a light-hearted meaning, but after Guys death it got a sad undertone.
Hale-Bopp is sad and disappointed in his decision. We so badly wanted to help him, but didnt know how, when or why. Hale-Bopp is also surprised about de deafening silence and taboo surrounding the subject

The album release is postponed and the band decided to make Blue the next single, with an extra long video in Guys honor.

Press Highlights
Soulful pop perfection timeless. Prevailing a warm feeling with a great love for songs
Add to that Awouters powerful voice and you get a debut with international class
(De Morgen 10/10/2003)
awesome surprising pop perfection combined with rock and soul Belgian debut of the year?
(De Morgen 16/08/2003)
a breath of fresh air
(Belgianmusic.net)

2004 was a good year with gigs at big and small festivals, like Suikerrock (Tienen, B), Genk on Stage (Genk, B),
In September of that year bassist Joeffrey decided to leave the band, so the band took time out to look for a great replacement. It was only in May 2005 that they found Thijs Lodewijk, a very skilled Dutch bassist who made everything fall back into place . Only 5 minutes into the first rehearsal and everyone and the Hale-Bopp drive was back!

Luckily Bjorn didnt sit still during this time out period, besides producing some other bands, he started writing for the second Hale-Bopp album.