Double bill: Ever Present (albumrelease) + Tijl Piryns

Tijl Piryns

The time has come: the world is in ruins. How do you view the future? And do you feel that, as an individual, you can still influence it? Tijl discussed this with friends, family and activists. In a unique combination of interviews, percussion and electronic music, he explores various visions of the future and brings strangers together in dialogue.

Tijl Piryns is a composer and drummer who juggles live percussion, video and electronics.

A production by Tijl Piryns and Johnny MUS.

Ever Present – alledaagse gedachten

A bird flying over Brussels North, an inflated nurse’s glove dancing in the wind. Or pondering the concept of growth, the fascination with the power of mycelium. These are everyday scenes and thoughts that inspire Ever Present, Tobias Volckaert’s latest creative outlet.

The ideas spring from deceptively simple scenes in familiar surroundings and whilst out and about, but are equally influenced by recurring reflections on the world around us. Everyday thoughts that are at times light-hearted, funny, playful and hopeful, and at other times searching, reserved and doubtful. Through this project, Tobias hopes to share the intertwining of impressions and thoughts with those around him in a wordless way.

Tobias’ compositions have a strongly melodic character and deliberately take their time to develop organically. By analogy with the influence of everyday impressions on our thoughts, melodies are constantly cast in a different light through changes in harmony, tempo and dynamics. This creates a coherent yet ever-changing repertoire that allows the listener to feel the music evolve throughout the set, from mysterious and questioning to upbeat and driving

Although Tobias wrote all the music, there is plenty of scope for interpretation, and the band members are actively involved in developing the songs and the band’s sound. Fully composed and arranged pieces alternate with moments of (free) improvisation in which all musicians are given the opportunity to colour the music in their own personal way.

Following a highly successful trial tour in the autumn of 2025, featuring concerts at venues including the Hnita Jazz Club and STUK, the band recorded their debut album, which is due for release in October 2026 on Off Records.

Photo © Julie Van Kerckhoven