Fandango Live

Fandango Live is composed of die-hard musicians with very different backgrounds, adding up to a universe of experience at the service of Studio Fandango or live performances. At the heart of this band: Dirk Lekenne & Luk de Graaff. Surrounding them: friends and fellow-musicians.

“Sherwood Avenue” 

June 2018

With Sherwood Avenue, the band presents its 5th release. As always, Dirk Lekenne and Luk de Graaff started working on own material in between other productions: roots songs alternated with instrumentals.

A trip to Virginia (US) inspired most of the songs: the experiences, the stories, the anecdotes and the atmosphere have largely determined the sound of the album.

With the contributions of Rik Volkaerts (drums and percussion), Wim Degeest (blues harp), Stoy Stoffelen (drums), Pieter Akkermans and Willem Wynants (keys and organ), Sugar Queen (Mister Major) and Hedwig Peetermans (backing vocals), Sherwood Avenue is a roots americana album in its own right.

“Kerkom - Texas”

October 2015

The fourth album of Fandango Live is called “Kerkom – Texas” for multiple reasons. Dirk (Lekenne) has an immense admiration for Ry Cooder. Not just for his incredible talent, but also for his personality. Ry Cooder is a musician who never limits himself by any boundaries and does his thing in so many different music styles. With their previous albums, Luk (de Graaff) and Dirk have proven that Fandango Live is not afraid of mixing up styles. “Kerkom – Texas” is the newest confirmation.

The album also contains two JJ Cale covers, Magnolia and Humdinger, which the band also brings during live gigs. The no-nonsense of JJ Cale and his tulsa sound have always been a source of inspiration for Dirk and Luk, and are honored in this new album. 

“Kerkom – Texas” is a roots-americana album, it is a tribute to two great men. And it is a tribute to the place where everything starts for Fandango Live.

To the album on Spotify, on Apple Music, on Deezer

Single “Homeward Bound” ft. Paul Michiels

April 2015

“Homeward Bound” is the outcome of a spontaneous session between Paul Michiels and Dirk Lekenne. The song sets the atmosphere of uncertain times and of the desire for everything to work out: the warmth and happiness of returning home, ‘on solid ground’, of being together, let the party begin - ‘by the silvery moon we’ll be holding tight’. 

Paul Michiels (vocals, organ, bluesharp). Dirk Lekenne (slide and acoustic guitar). Luk de Graaff (bass). Walter Mets (drums). Pieter Akkermans (piano). Andries Boone (violin, mandolin). Bart Van Huyck (electric guitar). 

Composition by Paul Michiels and Dirk Lekenne. Lyrics by Paul Michiels.

To the singel on Spotify, on Apple Music, on Deezer

“Hands”

October 2014

“Hands” is a collection of rootsy music, varying from blues, rock and pop to world music. Fandango Live clearly has no problem whatsoever to mix styles. The 12 songs have again been written by Luk de Graaff and Dirk Lekenne. The title “HANDS” is a prolongation of what both musicians represent and want to share: the honesty and sincerity of their music.

“Teen”

Fall 2014

For Fandango Live's second release, Dirk Lekenne and Luk de Graaff went back to their teenage years, the electronic '80s, when, like many other musicians, they feared having to find themselves another hobby.

 "Teen" reworks (10) Belgian hits from the '80s in a very quirky, rootsy way, with a groove often at odds with that of the original songs. Each song is performed by a different singer - known or not. Above all, the voice had to fit the arrangement Dirk and Luk had in mind. 

The arrangement of "Beats of Love", for instance, starts with a solid beat with a high Phil Collins level, which immediately delighted Paul Michiels. There are many covers of "Ca plane pour moi", each with a solid rock content, but Fandango Live turns it into a song with a loungy touch. In short: "Teen" is a collection of acoustic roots adaptations of (10) Belgian hits à la Fandango Live.

To the album on Spotify, on Apple Music, on Deezer

Tracks

1. Beats of Love (Nacht und Nebel) - 2. Fly (Machiavel) - 3. You (Scooter) - 4. Ca plane pour moi (Plastic Bertrand) - 5. Oh la la la (T.C. Matic) - 6. Don’t talk to the liar (The Bet) - 7. Look out (Luna Twist) - 8. Suspicion (Toy) - 9. There will be no next time (The Kids) - 10. I can’t live in a living room (Red Zebra)

“Something Else”

Fall 2013

"Something Else" is the showcase album of Studio Fandango. It demonstrates both the creative talent of the musicians and the quality of the studio and its producer. The CD brings something else: instrumental film music in combination with what we like to call bluesy roots.