Vitja Pauwels’ Early Life Forms

Early Life Forms is a quartet fronted by Belgian guitarist and sound wizard Vitja Pauwels. In January of 2024, they released their self-titled debut album via W.E.R.F. Records; a stunning, one-off live performance recorded with American guitarist Marc Ribot (Robert Plant, Tom Waits, John Zorn).

In 2022, Pauwels was invited as a special guest by the BRAND! Festival in Mechelen, and he came up with the idea of putting together his ‘dream’ live band, which included his hero Marc Ribot, one of the most accomplished and acclaimed guitar players around. Ribot liked what he heard and agreed to perform with Pauwels and his new project Early Life Forms in what would be the band’s first ever live show. Joined by Frederik Leroux (baritone guitar), Laurens Dierickx (Hammond organ) and Casper Van De Velde (drums), Early Life Forms now tours as an adventurous quartet drawing on latin, jazz, cuban, and rock with a touch of exoticism and cinematic explorations, The music cites Ry Cooder, Henry Mancini, Los Lobos, Ennio Morricone and of course Ribot, as key influences.

Musicians:

  • Frederik Leroux (guitar)
  • Laurens Dierickx (Hammond )
  • Casper Van De Velde (drums)
  • Vitja Pauwels (guitar, pedal steel, roncoco)

Free entrance, open to the public, accessible without tickets. RSVP here.