Jef Mertens
@manychants.bsky.social
guitar | taishogoto | shahi baaja | many chants records | ruined by numbers | mertens & steenkiste | dirk wachtelaer duo | archaic tape ensemble
Here’s our time schedule at de Blikfabriek tomorrow:
20-21.40 - Tony Conrad: Completely In The Present film screening
22-22.40 - Mertens & Steenkiste score for The Flicker
Hope to see you there!
20-21.40 - Tony Conrad: Completely In The Present film screening
22-22.40 - Mertens & Steenkiste score for The Flicker
Hope to see you there!
December 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here’s our time schedule at de Blikfabriek tomorrow:
20-21.40 - Tony Conrad: Completely In The Present film screening
22-22.40 - Mertens & Steenkiste score for The Flicker
Hope to see you there!
20-21.40 - Tony Conrad: Completely In The Present film screening
22-22.40 - Mertens & Steenkiste score for The Flicker
Hope to see you there!
On my way home from a recording session with Alec Ilyine at his Fly Studio in Brussels.
Alec played acoustically so it was quite a challenge to tone my sound down and play more restraint as opposed to the full blow efforts in other setups.
Alec played acoustically so it was quite a challenge to tone my sound down and play more restraint as opposed to the full blow efforts in other setups.
November 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
On my way home from a recording session with Alec Ilyine at his Fly Studio in Brussels.
Alec played acoustically so it was quite a challenge to tone my sound down and play more restraint as opposed to the full blow efforts in other setups.
Alec played acoustically so it was quite a challenge to tone my sound down and play more restraint as opposed to the full blow efforts in other setups.
Introducing RUINED BY NUMBERS, a limited cd-run focusing on the release of live recordings, ad-hoc recording sessions and rehearsals. www.manychants.com/ruined-by-nu...
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Introducing RUINED BY NUMBERS, a limited cd-run focusing on the release of live recordings, ad-hoc recording sessions and rehearsals. www.manychants.com/ruined-by-nu...
For those that are curious to hear my duo performance with Tashi Dorji at De Steeg, I’ve put an excerpt online from the recording made by Koen Vandenhoudt. Artwork by Arth verryd.
on.soundcloud.com/8NrqHig1lvIM...
on.soundcloud.com/8NrqHig1lvIM...
November 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
For those that are curious to hear my duo performance with Tashi Dorji at De Steeg, I’ve put an excerpt online from the recording made by Koen Vandenhoudt. Artwork by Arth verryd.
on.soundcloud.com/8NrqHig1lvIM...
on.soundcloud.com/8NrqHig1lvIM...
I had an amazing time yesterday playing in duo with @tashidorjiiii . I have yet to hear the recording but I think we both felt like it was a good performance, especially for a first encounter. Tashi solo was also amazing. Can’t wait to hear his new lp on @dragcityrecords next year.
November 1, 2025 at 7:44 AM
I had an amazing time yesterday playing in duo with @tashidorjiiii . I have yet to hear the recording but I think we both felt like it was a good performance, especially for a first encounter. Tashi solo was also amazing. Can’t wait to hear his new lp on @dragcityrecords next year.
We continue to celebrate the legacy of Tony Conrad with a second dzte for the screening of Completely in the Present followed by a performance by Mertens & Steenkiste who will be present a score of Tony Conrad’s The Flicker. December 4th at De Blikfabriek, Antwerp (BE).
October 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
We continue to celebrate the legacy of Tony Conrad with a second dzte for the screening of Completely in the Present followed by a performance by Mertens & Steenkiste who will be present a score of Tony Conrad’s The Flicker. December 4th at De Blikfabriek, Antwerp (BE).
Live footage from our release show slash recording session, me and Dirk Wachtelaer recorded by Koen Vandenhoudt. Video shot by Inge Verroken //// only a handful of people but stil a fantastic show.
September 26, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Live footage from our release show slash recording session, me and Dirk Wachtelaer recorded by Koen Vandenhoudt. Video shot by Inge Verroken //// only a handful of people but stil a fantastic show.
Wonderful Brutalism is out today!
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-brutalism
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-brutalism
September 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Wonderful Brutalism is out today!
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-brutalism
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-brutalism
Wonderful Brutalism, my second album with Dirk Wachtelaer is now up for ore-order manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Wonderful Brutalism, my second album with Dirk Wachtelaer is now up for ore-order manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
Preparing source tapes on 4-track for the next tape Satellites Are Spinning on which Archaic Tape Ensemble has the last track to record. I used the various recording speeds on the Porta 07 and 02 as an experiment.
August 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Preparing source tapes on 4-track for the next tape Satellites Are Spinning on which Archaic Tape Ensemble has the last track to record. I used the various recording speeds on the Porta 07 and 02 as an experiment.
OUT NOW! - Archaic Tape no.1
With
Archaic Tape Ensemble
Arvind Ganga
Luca Sciarratta
Nickolas Mohanna
archaictapes.bandcamp.com
With
Archaic Tape Ensemble
Arvind Ganga
Luca Sciarratta
Nickolas Mohanna
archaictapes.bandcamp.com
August 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
OUT NOW! - Archaic Tape no.1
With
Archaic Tape Ensemble
Arvind Ganga
Luca Sciarratta
Nickolas Mohanna
archaictapes.bandcamp.com
With
Archaic Tape Ensemble
Arvind Ganga
Luca Sciarratta
Nickolas Mohanna
archaictapes.bandcamp.com
Many Chants Records presents a release show for Wonderful Brutalism, the new and upcoming lp by Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer, in co-production with Ramble Records.
Poster artwork by Jake Blanchard.
Poster artwork by Jake Blanchard.
August 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Many Chants Records presents a release show for Wonderful Brutalism, the new and upcoming lp by Jef Mertens and Dirk Wachtelaer, in co-production with Ramble Records.
Poster artwork by Jake Blanchard.
Poster artwork by Jake Blanchard.
After listening to Untitled/Dreamweapon by Daniel Bachman and his call to create your own, I’m thinking of recording my own Dreamweapon.
danielbachman.bandcamp.com/album/untitl...
danielbachman.bandcamp.com/album/untitl...
August 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
After listening to Untitled/Dreamweapon by Daniel Bachman and his call to create your own, I’m thinking of recording my own Dreamweapon.
danielbachman.bandcamp.com/album/untitl...
danielbachman.bandcamp.com/album/untitl...
1st confirmed date for the Tony Conrad documentary followed by our Mertens & Steenkiste duo performance, presented by Table of the Elements. www.tableoftheelements.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
1st confirmed date for the Tony Conrad documentary followed by our Mertens & Steenkiste duo performance, presented by Table of the Elements. www.tableoftheelements.co.uk
Waauw, what a day today makes. Finally recorded an album with Mertens & Steenkiste straight to 8-track in the capable hands of master wizard Venediktos Tempelboom and his fantastic studio ‘Ambacht Tapes’ in Ghent.
June 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Waauw, what a day today makes. Finally recorded an album with Mertens & Steenkiste straight to 8-track in the capable hands of master wizard Venediktos Tempelboom and his fantastic studio ‘Ambacht Tapes’ in Ghent.
May 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
ARCHAIC TAPES - Hi Everyone,
as a follow-up to Dadaist Tapes I’m introducing my new tape project, Archaic Tapes. Archaic Tapes aims to connect musicians through the process of recording music straight to tape. Check the link to the guidelines on how to participate. www.manychants.com/archaic-tapes
as a follow-up to Dadaist Tapes I’m introducing my new tape project, Archaic Tapes. Archaic Tapes aims to connect musicians through the process of recording music straight to tape. Check the link to the guidelines on how to participate. www.manychants.com/archaic-tapes
May 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
ARCHAIC TAPES - Hi Everyone,
as a follow-up to Dadaist Tapes I’m introducing my new tape project, Archaic Tapes. Archaic Tapes aims to connect musicians through the process of recording music straight to tape. Check the link to the guidelines on how to participate. www.manychants.com/archaic-tapes
as a follow-up to Dadaist Tapes I’m introducing my new tape project, Archaic Tapes. Archaic Tapes aims to connect musicians through the process of recording music straight to tape. Check the link to the guidelines on how to participate. www.manychants.com/archaic-tapes
Hi all, I just wanted to get the word out that you can now follow Many Chants Records on bandcamp and be the first to be notified by a new release.
Many Chants will be my new label on which to release my new solo work and that in collaboration with other musicians.
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
Many Chants will be my new label on which to release my new solo work and that in collaboration with other musicians.
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
May 2, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Hi all, I just wanted to get the word out that you can now follow Many Chants Records on bandcamp and be the first to be notified by a new release.
Many Chants will be my new label on which to release my new solo work and that in collaboration with other musicians.
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
Many Chants will be my new label on which to release my new solo work and that in collaboration with other musicians.
manychantsrecords.bandcamp.com
Rites of Noise was amazing. De Vlaamse Primitieven and Liam Grant stopped by before embarking on their massive tour. Orchid Alto releases tomorrow.
April 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Rites of Noise was amazing. De Vlaamse Primitieven and Liam Grant stopped by before embarking on their massive tour. Orchid Alto releases tomorrow.
These will go on sale at Rites Of Noise on April 23rd, 2 days prior to its official release. www.facebook.com/share/1AUULR...
Remaining copies after the show will be sold for pickup or dropoff. Not selling these online as you can (pre)order at Aguirre Records and Feeding Tube Records overseas.
Remaining copies after the show will be sold for pickup or dropoff. Not selling these online as you can (pre)order at Aguirre Records and Feeding Tube Records overseas.
April 10, 2025 at 1:11 PM
These will go on sale at Rites Of Noise on April 23rd, 2 days prior to its official release. www.facebook.com/share/1AUULR...
Remaining copies after the show will be sold for pickup or dropoff. Not selling these online as you can (pre)order at Aguirre Records and Feeding Tube Records overseas.
Remaining copies after the show will be sold for pickup or dropoff. Not selling these online as you can (pre)order at Aguirre Records and Feeding Tube Records overseas.
A bold and immersive sonic journey, Orchid Alto merges traditional resonance with modern experimentalism.
Preview Orchid Alto: aguirrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/orchid...
Pre-order the lp: www.aguirrerecords.com/products/jef...
Preview Orchid Alto: aguirrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/orchid...
Pre-order the lp: www.aguirrerecords.com/products/jef...
March 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A bold and immersive sonic journey, Orchid Alto merges traditional resonance with modern experimentalism.
Preview Orchid Alto: aguirrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/orchid...
Pre-order the lp: www.aguirrerecords.com/products/jef...
Preview Orchid Alto: aguirrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/orchid...
Pre-order the lp: www.aguirrerecords.com/products/jef...
While Isabelle and Romy are enjoying a 10-day holiday in Mauritius, I’m staying at home working on a new album. Today was day 1 of recording taishogoto. Tomorrow I’m tracking guitar which I haven’t played for a good year and a half.
March 2, 2025 at 9:46 AM
While Isabelle and Romy are enjoying a 10-day holiday in Mauritius, I’m staying at home working on a new album. Today was day 1 of recording taishogoto. Tomorrow I’m tracking guitar which I haven’t played for a good year and a half.
I was invited by Tomas Serrien to play at this year’s Rites of Noise on April 23rd at Het Bos in Antwerp. I will be playing my taishogoto stereo setup here tagged as Taishõgotonoise. Beautiful poster by Dali La Gasse.
February 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I was invited by Tomas Serrien to play at this year’s Rites of Noise on April 23rd at Het Bos in Antwerp. I will be playing my taishogoto stereo setup here tagged as Taishõgotonoise. Beautiful poster by Dali La Gasse.
Back at home and settled in.
On the tour many people asked about the stereo setup. Although I have a solo taishogoto record coming up, I feel much more can be done with it. The next weeks I will try and record some new music at home.
On the tour many people asked about the stereo setup. Although I have a solo taishogoto record coming up, I feel much more can be done with it. The next weeks I will try and record some new music at home.
February 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Back at home and settled in.
On the tour many people asked about the stereo setup. Although I have a solo taishogoto record coming up, I feel much more can be done with it. The next weeks I will try and record some new music at home.
On the tour many people asked about the stereo setup. Although I have a solo taishogoto record coming up, I feel much more can be done with it. The next weeks I will try and record some new music at home.
Last nite at Occii was amazing! A great sound with each artist delivering a massive set. Thx to all the volunteers at Occii, Luke the sound engineer and Sjoerd as host. Thx to Koen, Christel and Stan for fixing these shows. Last but not least a warm thank you to Don and Camille for having me play.
February 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Last nite at Occii was amazing! A great sound with each artist delivering a massive set. Thx to all the volunteers at Occii, Luke the sound engineer and Sjoerd as host. Thx to Koen, Christel and Stan for fixing these shows. Last but not least a warm thank you to Don and Camille for having me play.