Auster Loo Collective is bringing a breath of fresh air into Belgium’s acoustic music scene. The band features top-notch Belgian musicians. Within the collective, they take up the challenge of putting their backgrounds at the service of a new musical language. Under the artistic direction of Simon Leleux, they set off in search of uncharted territories. A multi-talented and versatile explorer, Simon Leleux has been developing singular sound projects for a number of years, trying to find the right link between the sensitive imprint of a personal journey and that of existing music of surprising diversity.

What emerges is a singular universe, the result of a unique alchemy between exploration and the creation of sound bridges. Poignant, dreamlike melodies alternate with rhythmic, high-energy compositions. Each musician adds his or her own unique touch, creating an original sound that blends the distinctive subtlety of the koto with the playful melodies of the West African kora, piano and double bass, flute and Iranian setar, percussion and vocals.

Auster Loo was originally a duo featuring Simon Leleux, a specialist in finger percussion (doholla, bendir) and flutist Lydie Thonnard (flutes, vocals). Their shared passion for rhythm and improvisation was inspired by their encounters with musicians from all horizons. Auster Loo Collective is the continuity of these encounters. With the release of an album in March 2024 (Igloo Records), Auster Loo unfolds a whole new chapter of its existence.