Jan Verstraeten

“While Jan Verstraeten knows that a song will not change the world, he understands that it remains the best way to soften the blow.”

Jan Verstraeten emerged from the Ghent’s (Belgium) punk and hardcore scenes, where he embraced the DIY spirit through basement recordings, handmade merchandise, and screen-printed leather jackets. Initially focused on contemporary art and installations blending traditional techniques with ready-mades, Jan eventually returned to music, craving its raw, universal connection.

His debut EP Cheap Dreams (2019) started as a soundtrack for an unfinished film project, introducing his signature mix of music and visual storytelling. This was followed by Violent Disco, a bold 2022 album inspired by 1970s cinema, love, and fantastic creatures.

Today Jan unveils Wolfman, a hypnotic track that captures his unique blend of poignant lyrics and surreal worlds. Ever-evolving, he balances music, painting, and sculpture, crafting a universe where the real, the strange, and even the absurd are intricately intertwined.

Between performances and compositions, he continues to paint, draw, and sculpt. “I don’t feel like a real musician, but I don’t quite fit in the art scene either, I see myself as someone who just likes to make strange stuff, whether with paint or instruments. I keep reinventing myself to keep the journey exciting”.