B1980 is the solo project of Belgian musician and producer Bert Libeert, a member of GOOSE. His music brings together EBM, New Beat, electronics and the energy of live instrumentation, with a strong connection to the Belgian scene he grew up around.
On September 18, DAZE RAW Records will release NEVERLAND, the new B1980 EP and the first release on our label. Built around analogue synths, live drums and a deliberately limited set of equipment, the record is raw, direct and spontaneous, preserving the character of both the machines and the live performance.
Ahead of the release of NEVERLAND, we spoke with Bert about making the record, the Belgian musical tradition, limitations in the studio, mistakes as part of the creative process, and why sometimes one person and a few machines are enough to build an entire project.
You've been playing drums for years, but with B1980 you mostly work with machines and synths. On NEVERLAND you decided to use only live drums. What made you want to do it this way?
For this group of tracks, I decided to use live drums only for different reasons. I've been playing drums since I was a little kid, and today it's still the instrument where I can put my heart and soul into. Playing the drums simply makes me happy. I also like to mix electronic music with live music; for me, you don't have to choose. The drums give the record a raw and almost punk-like energy that defines its sound.
Your music feels very precise and controlled, but never sterile. Do you keep mistakes and accidental moments in your tracks, or do you usually try to keep everything under control?
Lots of synth riffs are made by playing the keyboard of the synth by hand, rather than just using sequencers. I press record and start playing, not knowing what the result will be. Afterwards, I choose the parts I like. A lot of the time, the mistakes I play become part of the riff, a loop, or even a hook. This way, making music always remains exciting for me.
When I record, I work exclusively with analogue gear. Most of these machines have a lot of character. When I put the recordings through old reverb or delay machines and mix them on an old desk, they have lots of harmonics, which makes the sound more exciting to me. I like to stay away from the sterile in-the-box computer production.
There's a strong Belgian influence in your music — New Beat, EBM, Front 242. How connected do you still feel to that scene today? And how important is it for you to push that sound forward rather than simply look back at its past?
As a kid, I was a big fan of The Confetti's, a commercial New Beat band from Belgium. But some of their tracks were really good. They gave me some of their DNA to work with. Later, I learned about the origins of the genre and bands like Front 242, DAF, Nitzer Ebb…
I never try to copy them or their sound. To me, it's more about a feeling and a sound aesthetic that I like, which gives me inspiration to work with.
You've said before that dark music allows you to turn negative energy into something positive and danceable. Do you still see music that way?
For me, expressing an emotion is a big part of dealing with it. This way, it enters your consciousness and makes you feel more alive. I consider myself lucky to have music as a translator of my feelings and emotions. It allows me to turn the dark energies of life into positive energy.
B1980 is a translator that helps me transform my fear, doubt, and dark thoughts into awareness, confidence, and happy thoughts.
You often work with a fairly limited amount of gear. Is that a conscious decision? Do limitations help you find the sound you're looking for faster?
For me, limitations improve my creativity. When I feel a certain way, I know there are certain machines that can help me translate it into sound. Limiting myself in the studio or live makes me come up with better ideas. When I make an EP, I also want the sound to be coherent, along with the emotion that comes with it.
You connect the title NEVERLAND with childhood, imagination and not wanting to fully grow up. Why did this idea come to you now?
Every part of life has its challenges. For me, it's about wanting to grow too fast or not wanting to grow at all. NEVERLAND refers to the imaginary world of Peter Pan. It represents childhood, imagination, freedom, and adventure. It also suggests that refusing to grow up means missing out on the experiences and relationships that come with that. That contrast lies at the heart of this EP.
You've said that for you music is more about personality and style than technique. What actually makes music recognizable to you? When do you know that a track really sounds like B1980?
To me, style and personality are more important than perfect-sounding music without an identity. A typical B1980 track, to me, is dark but uplifting, raw and spontaneous.
You're involved in several musical projects — GOOSE, B1980 and others. What does B1980 allow you to do that you can't really do in your other projects?
I have several musical projects to unleash my musical creativity. I have an electro-rock band with my friends. I also make music for films and series. I love working together with other people who inspire me. But when you work alone and make all the decisions from start to finish, you get a result you would never have when other people are involved. I love the purity of a single individual making something from nothing.
You've released on ZONE, Boysnoize Records, Mosaique and Italo Moderni. What matters to you today when choosing a label and the people you release your music with?
I only release on labels that are in it for the music. Labels that I look up to or believe in. Labels that are not in it for the money, but for spreading the music to people who need to hear it.
You're the first artist on DAZE RAW Records, and NEVERLAND is our first release. What initially attracted you to the idea of releasing this record with us?
When I was approached to do a mixtape last year, I was excited because I liked what you guys were doing. I love the clothes and designs you release on Daze Raw. I also like the other mixtapes you guys have released. I feel a personal connection, and I like to start something new and unknown with people I believe in.
If you forget about genres and references for a moment, what feeling did you want NEVERLAND to leave behind?
Accepting chaos with confidence.
Socials:
Website - b1980.be
Instagram - instagram.com/b1980music
Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/b1980music
Photo: Anneke D'Hollander
Booking / Management contacts:
Text by Denis Veber / Thanks to Bert Libeert — Daze Team
