VI.BE

The Antler King is a Belgian based indie pop/rock band. The music is created by Esther Lybeert (drums/vocal/keys) and Maarten Flamand (guitar/backing vocals/bass/loops), the writer/singer/composer couple that is the heart of the band.

The band released a first, nameless album in 2011, which quickly got noticed in the music scene and the press, so it's only logical that their second album Patterns soon followed. In comparison to The Antler King’s debut album, Patterns could also be considered as Esther and Maarten’s ‘musical marriage’, not a surprise since both are officially husband and wife. If there is one thing you immediately notice when listening to this album, it's the band's resolute choice to go their own way. Influences are there, certainly, but if you listen closely you'll notice Esther Lybeert (drums/vocals/keys) and Maarten Flamand (guitar/backing vocals/bass pedal/loops) have a mean rebel streak. For one, they played pretty much every instrument you hear on the album themselves. Nothing is quite what it seems with The Antler King. The music goes from very dark to skip hop happy, unveiling new layers every time you listen. It's rock music with a dash of pop. It's singer-songwriter without veering to the overly introspective. The Antler King has already forayed successfully into the world of movie soundtracks and recently also bagged the only Belgian nomination of the 2014 Berlin Music Video Awards.

In 2018 The Antler King will release a new album.

Their music is often described as

Threatening with a catchy psychedelic fringe

Unpolished : dark, yet cheerful, demure yet at times unleashed.

It is pop music with a quirky edge, a singer-songwriter project without the usual whispers.