NAPSIS
Initiated in Brussels in 2016 by keyboardist, composer, and lyricist Maxime Van Eerdewegh alongside vocalist Lou Wéry, NAPSIS operates at the intersection of contemporary jazz, trip-hop, avant-pop, and art rock. At the core of the ensemble's identity is Van Eerdewegh’s songwriting, where clear melodies move fluidly from order to chaos. Fronting the sound, Lou Wéry plays a central role in defining NAPSIS’s character; switching between English and French, her vocal delivery treats text as a phonetic, atmospheric instrument woven directly into the compositions.
The ensemble’s sonic universe expanded significantly with the Is There More project. Van Eerdewegh collaborated with trumpet player and arranger Pierre-Antoine Savoyat (of Le Monde Merveilleux De Pépito, also represented by soniqApart) to adapt the material for a 13-piece chamber ensemble. Drawing from his strong background in classical, contemporary, and jazz traditions, Savoyat introduced woodwind counterpoints, brass textures, and string quartet writing, culminating in a live recording session at Brussels’ Studio DADA.
On stage, NAPSIS maintains an unpredictable presence, where a light nursery rhyme can turn into a psychedelic nightmare. Following preliminary track releases including "Running", "Buried", "Sleep Sleep", and "Maybe I Should Laugh", NAPSIS releases Is There More on September 12, 2026, with a release concert at Théâtre Marni as part of the Marni Jazz Festival.
Configurations:
Quintet:
Lou Wery – voice
Maxime Van Eerdewegh – keys
Jérôme Castin – electric guitar
Jacob Miller – bass
Théo Lanau – drums
Sextet:
Lou Wery – voice
Maxime Van Eerdewegh – keys
Jérôme Castin – electric guitar
Pierre-Antoine Savoyat – trumpet, flugelhorn
Jacob Miller – bass
Théo Lanau – drums
Large Ensemble:
Lou Wéry – vocals
Maxime Van Eerdewegh – fender Rhodes, backing vocals
Jacob Miller – bass
Théo Lanau – drums
Jérôme Castin – guitar
Pierre-Antoine Savoyat – trumpet
Arnaud Guichard – tenor saxophone
Tom Bourgeois – bass clarinet
Lúcia Pires – flute
Amèle Metlini – violin 1
Aleksandra Kroll – violin 2
Coline Meulemans – viola
Sinouhé Gilot – cello
Album Lineup:
Lou Wéry – vocals (1–5), keys (1, 4)
Maxime Van Eerdewegh – Steinway grand piano (1–4), Fender Rhodes (5), vocals (4), backing vocals (1–5)
Brieuc Angenot – bass (1–5), keys (1)
Théo Lanau – drums (1, 2, 5)
Gaspard Sicx – drums (3, 4)
Pierre-Antoine Savoyat – trumpet (2–5), flugelhorn (1), glockenspiel (5), backing vocals (5)
Arnaud Guichard – tenor saxophone (1–3, 5)
Tom Bourgeois – bass clarinet (1)
Lúcia Pires – flute (3)
Jérôme Castin – guitar (2–4)
Photo Credits: Augustin Polet
