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...

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).

Weirdo Rippers #19 @eikoishibashi.bsky.social | Chloe Yu Nong Lin & @pmtummala.bsky.social | @ernestodiaz.bsky.social | @brauliolam13.bsky.social | @leeranaldo.bsky.social | Jef Mertens & Dirk Wachtelaer (@ramblerecords.bsky.social) | @duchampdrone.bsky.social & more… sun-13.com/2025/10/03/w...

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

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.

OUT NOW! - Archaic Tape no.1 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.

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...

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.

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

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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

NEW ON FEEDING TUBE RECORDS: JEF MERTENS "orchid alto" LP feedingtuberecords.com/releases/orc...

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.

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...

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.

This was my encore at OCCII after Koen informed me I forgot to plug my second amp. The show was organized by SoundinMotion with Koen Vandenhoudt recording audio and video. I did the mix and editing. vimeo.com/1058220852

As promised I’m sharing some material from my tour with Dietrichs last week. This is my live set recorded at Paviljoen Ongehoorde Muziek in Eindhoven on 12/2/25, organized by SoundinMotion. Audio and video recorded by Koen Vandenhoudt. Mix and editing by Jef Mertens. vimeo.com/1057898015

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.

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.

Dietrichs BE/NL tour liftoff at Café Central. A devestating set by Don & Camille (next time louder), a short insane burst by Yves Botz and my first experiment with a stereo setup, which went well all considered. Photo’s by Koen Vandenhoudt

Our show at AB tomorrow has been moved to Café Central. I’ll be playing solo taishogoto instead. Dietrichs and Mascletá also perform. Starts at 8pm and ends at 10pm. Free entrance, donation welcome. Thx Freek Vreys for the fix.

Still one of my favourite tapes. The weird 2007-2008 era where everyone was living on their spaced out island. It’s the time also directed Dronevolk. Playing with Glen and Edgar Wappenhalter last weekend brought back those memories. Blisssss! pacificcitysoundvisions.bandcamp.com/album/shee-r...

What a fantastic night playing Multatuli yesterday with Glen Steenkiste as our Mertens & Steenkiste duo. Never been so focused since I quit drinking. Next stop is Ancienne Belgique. Thx to the warm and attentive audience. Video by Ronny Rens

After 15 years Freek and myself decided to pull the plug on Taping Policies. I would like to thank the massive amount of people involved over the years; artists, organizers, filmmakers, etc. Thank thank you.

DATES ADDED!!! I can’t contain my excitement to announce that I will be playing some support shows for Dietrichs, the amazing duo of Don Dietrich and Camille Dietrich. For a complete list of my shows www.manychants.com/shows