K’s Choice has always been a hard band to pin down to a single style, and as a result, was one of the few bands of the late ‘90s to build followings with both the Lilith Fair and Lollapalooza factions. As evidenced by their fifth full-length overall (and first in a decade), 2011s ‘Echo Mountain,’ the group’s knack for the eclectic remains very much intact.
Originally formed in the early ‘90s by the brother-sister tandem of guitarist/singer Gert and Sarah Bettens (hailing from Antwerp, Belgium), the group built a large worldwide fan base, on the strength of such strong and varied albums as 1993’s ‘The Great Subconscious Club,’ 1996’s ‘Paradise in Me,’ 1998’s ‘Cocoon Crash’ and 2000’s ‘Almost Happy.’ Add to it a worldwide hit single (1996’s “Not An Addict”), European hits “Believe”, “Almost Happy” and “Everything For Free”, plus some very high profile tour opportunities (opening for Alanis Morissette for the majority of the dates supporting her classic ‘Jagged Little Pill’ album, as well as part of the aforementioned Lilith Fair tours), and a long and fruitful career lay ahead for K’s Choice.
With ‘Echo Mountain’ being released, the now six-piece band have launched a substantial tour supporting Echo Mountain, with dates beginning in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Holland, before visiting other parts of the world, including such exotic locales as Japan. A South African tour is on the cards as well for 2012.
When asked to send a message out to their South African fans about the release of their “Echo Mountain” album in South Africa, brother and sister, Sarah and Gert Bettens, had this to say:
“We’re very proud of our new record ‘Echo Mountain’ and so happy that it will finally be released in South Africa. Every second we ever spent there has been special. We’ve been so fortunate to have been able to tour all over Europe and the United States, but there was something about being in South Africa that just felt different from every other place in the world.. Some people called it a tour, we called it a vacation. We hope to be back soon.” Sarah Bettens from K’s Choice.
“I’m really pleased to tell you that our last album “Echo Mountain” is being released in South Africa. Sarah and I have been busy making solo-albums and having children for a while, so It’s the first album we made with the band for 8 years, and we’re obviously very pleased with the result. First we locked ourselves up in a house in Asheville, North Carolina, and then we spent 2 weeks recording all the new songs in a wonderful studio close to the house that has the same name “Echo Mountain”. Hope you South Africans enjoy it as much as we do, and to come to your amazing country once more to play some shows. Can’t wait : It’s been way too long …” Gert Bettens from K’s Choice.
The beautiful 14 track album is out now in South Africa, and is a must have for all K’s Choice fans – old & new!
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