Soulwax

Soulwax emerged from Ghent in 1995 and became one of Belgium’s best-known electronic bands and production collectives. Centred on brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, the group first rose to prominence with Much Against Everyone’s Advice. Their work moves between rock-band energy, electronic production and dance-floor mechanics, with the Dewaeles directing the project across its records, live performances and related aliases.

The band have released five studio albums. Soulwax’s current line-up also includes Igor Cavalera, Laima Cavalera and Stefaan Van Leuven, alongside the Dewaele brothers. Over the years, the wider group has included musicians such as Steve Slingeneyer, Stéphane Misseghers, Piet Dierickx, Inge Flipts, Victoria Smith, Blake Davies and Aurora Bennett.

Outside Soulwax, David and Stephen Dewaele perform DJ sets as 2manydjs, a name that followed earlier billing as The Fucking Dewaele Brothers and The Flying Dewaele Brothers. Their DJ work is closely tied to Radio Soulwax, the project through which they assembled and presented mixes. As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2, released in 2002, was named the best popular music album of that year by The New York Times.

The brothers have also worked in television, hosting the Belgian programme Alter8. Soulwax’s various forms, from the band to 2manydjs and Radio Soulwax, reflect the Dewaeles’ long-running overlap of electronic music, alternative rock and DJ culture.