Koenie • Groovetrackers Archive

Koenie is definitely the most respected DJ of the Belgian dance-scene. With a.o. his former residency at the legendary Cafe d'Anvers, Koenie was one of the DJ's who put Belgium on the house-map. "Paradise", one of the legendary nights at Cafe d'Anvers became a statement for the scene where many talented and famous dj's were invited to play, such as RoXY's HighTechSoulMovement DJ Dimitri, Sacha, Derrick May and many many more. As a label-manager and producer he has always been active in the scene for labels such as Wonka and presently Wally's Groove World. Belgium's all time favorite: definitely a groover that keeps the crowd moving.

Biografie:

Back in 1985 Koenie started working in infamous record shop USA Import where he discovered (all different genres) that are now known as the roots of today’s house music. Starting his DJ career in the late eighties (mixing pop, new wave, disco and soul) he soon became thoroughly interested in house music. No wonder he was one of the DJ’s performing at the first open-air house parties in Belgium near Antwerp and numerous parties in Brussels with DJ’s like Ricki Montanari, Ralph and Dutch pioneer Eddy De Clerck. Because of this he got the chance to play in Rimini (Italy) and became resident at Café d’Anvers, one of the first Belgian clubs to promote house music.

Back in 1985 he started working in infamous record shop USA Import where he discovered (all different genres) that are now known as the roots of today’s house music.

Starting his DJ career in the late eighties (mixing pop, new wave, disco and soul) he soon became thoroughly interested in house music. No wonder he was one of the DJ’s performing at the first open-air house parties in Belgium near Antwerp and numerous parties in Brussels with DJ’s like Ricki Montanari, Ralph and Dutch pioneer Eddy De Clerck. Because of this he got the chance to play in Rimini (Italy) and became resident at Café d’Anvers, one of the first Belgian clubs to promote house music.

He played at all major Dutch house clubs and events like: It, Gaultier Parties, Nighttown, Club Risk, Marcanti Plaza, Silly Symphonies, Funky Bizniz and Angels and Devils.

Other residencies later were at the infamous Paradise parties (Antwerp), a bi-monthly residency at Rex (Paris) till 1996, a monthly residency at Fuse (Brussels) since ’95 and from 1996 he started playing regularly at FOOD. .

Koenie was also the originator of the legendary Wonka and Ladybird labels, on which he released several records with well-appreciated producers such as Sven Van Hees, Remy, Those records were influenced by tribal rhythms and heavily hyped and played by the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Ralph Lawson, Sabres of Paradise… Without any doubt it was that scene that introduced Belgium into the world of house music.

In 1997 he started his own label: “Wally's Groove World”. The name was taken from his basement second hand vinyl shop based in Belgium's most up north city Antwerp. The label actually emerged out of the store because upcoming artists used to shop there with their demo tapes knowing that Koenie wanted to give the Belgian upcoming artists a chance to put their productions on vinyl. So that's how he got in touch with the fresh sounds of Arsenal, Marius, Rubba J, Swirl People, Brandy, Marino Berardi, Wizards of Ooze, Faith Family, Kelvin, and many others…

In 1999 he teamed up with two other WGW artists; Marius and Rubba J. “Mayaku” was born!!! On the twelve inch single level Mayaku already released some very significant releases on WGW (4 releases) , Wha? Roots Recordings, Grayhound, Outergaze with everytime very surprising reactions.

Their debut album ‘The other side of the volcano’ was released in April 2002 and received some surprising feedbacks from worldwide respected Dj’s like Dorfmeister, Laurent Garnier, Kenny Hawkes, Doc Martin, Jon Marsh (The Beloved), Ivan Smagghe, Billy Woods, Ralph Lawson and the list goes futher. With their semi live act - Marius on the keys, Koenie on the decks and Rubba J live on bass - they play numerous festivals and clubs all over Europe last years like the infamous Arezzo Wave Festival in Italy and the Leaf festival, Dour festival and the 10 Days Off Festival where he is a respected guest since the beginning.

In September 2002 he started his own Wally’s Groove World label nights at the legendary Café d’ Anvers club where he got his first residency. Every month he invites friends from other labels who have the same philosophy towards music: There was David Duriez, Murray Richardson, Doc Martin, Kenny Hawkes, Lautka, Jef K with who he played last November in Atlanta for some club gigs and many more…

Besides that he started a new residency at Café Capital in Antwerp’s city park and from September on at Silo together with Frederik (Majestic).

In the meantime he’s busy running 4 different labels: Wally’s Groove World, Wha? Roots Recordings, Metronomic Beatz and of course, currently one of the most successful - Hi–Phen Music Delivery together with his fellow Geoffroy.

Not to forget to mention that 2004 Wally’s Groove World record shop has been moved to the bigger space, became not only second-hand, but also new, probably one of the best & up to date, vinyl record shop’s, which is raising vinyl & CD stocks of various music styles.

Koenie was there from the beginning and anno 2004 he still is one of the most booked DJ’s in Belgium, surrounding countries.

In those years he played together with for example: Derrick May, Carl Craig, Silicone Soul, M.A.W, Gene Farris, Darren Emmerson, Stacey Pullen, Kenny Larkin, Roger Sanchez, Bob Sinclair, Charles Chillings, Mr C, Josh Wink, D’Julz, Ivan Smagghe, Laurent Garnier, Kenny Hawkes, Luke Solomon, Dj Sneak, Dimitri from Paris, Judge Jules,

Sander Kleinenberg, Remy, Space Dj’s Recloose, Tom Middleton, Ricki Montanari, Ralph (Italy), Terry Francis, Dave Mothersole, Doc Martin, Victor Simonelli, Majestic, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Colin Dale, Blake Baxter, Kosheen, Juan Atkins, Herbert, Jeff Mils, Idjut Boys, Ashley Beedle, Dave Hill, Alex Patterson, Jack De Marseille, Jef K, David Duriez, Murray Richardson, and many many others….