The Bony King of Nowhere

Bram Vanparys, the Belgian alternative singer/songwriter who has earned widespread critical praise, records and performs under the name The Bony King of Nowhere. Handling most instruments himself as a multi-instrumentalist, he first drew notice when The Wire magazine featured a demo that then circulated widely. The spotlight led to a recording deal with Helicopter, prompting a collaboration with producer Koen Gisen on the 2009 debut album Alas My Love, issued through an EMI partnership. Beyond the strong reviews it received, Alas My Love climbed into the Top Ten of the Belgian albums chart. Observers likened the project to like-minded English-language alternative artists such as Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, and Devendra Banhart. To promote the release, Vanparys assembled a touring group featuring Cleo Janse on piano, Gerben Hemelsoen on guitar, Stijn Tondeleir on bass, and Jan Dhaene on drums.