Artist description (From an article written by Marisol García, one of Santiago’s top music journalists, which appeared in www.chilerock.cl October 20, 1999)Two years ago they were called "The Blue", but destiny gave them a name that is more illustrative of their special and peculiar history, "back to belly" - a reference to a “return to the womb” (or even the sleeping embrace we all know as “spoons” !) – a group that is unavoidably shaped by the notion of roots . And instead of reacting negatively to their apparent lack thereof, they have opted to assume their multinational condition as an advantage.A Dutch-Englishman (Aart Beunderman - guitarist, song-writer), a US drummer (David Plumb) and 2 Chileans - vocalist Michelle Mackenzie and bass-player Antonio Gschwender – formed this band 2 years ago in Santiago, Chile, characterised by each member’s divergent cultural outlooks. Their music unites them and their carefully crafted harmonies and originality have had a real impact on a Santiago music scene that is often only characterised by simplicity and coarseness. Like a “fusion between a bluesy-pop guitar, funky bass, jazzy voice and a rock beat (...), boundless, calmly penetrating, sometimes melancholic, aggressive or melodic”, is how "back to belly" define their work, moulded into the 10 songs that comprise their debut CD blue belly . They are all songs by Aart, neatly fitting his lyrics in English to finely-crafted harmonies, energised by Michelle Mackenzie’s jazz phrasing.

Music Style Rock fused with funk, blues, jazz and reggae

Musical Influences Rock, Blues, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Pop, Chilean folklore

Artist History History:April 1998: "back to belly" formedApril 1998 - December 1998: Regular gigs in Santiago, Chile at all the main venues, national radio interviews, TV appearances (interviews and live performances), press articlesDecember 1998 - March 1999: Recording of debut CD "blue belly", at an independent recording studio in Santiago - 10 songs in EnglishMarch 1999 - May 1999: Gigs and recording of promo video for the song "Traffic Jam"May 1999 - June 1999: Guitarist Aart Beunderman returns to London and presents CD to Warner Chappell Music - very positive reception.June 1999 - September 1999: CD launch promotion in the local mediaSeptember 30, 1999: "back to belly" independently launch debut LP "blue belly"October 1999 - December 1999: Positive acclaim of CD in the national press, CD positioning and sales in Santiago's independent record stores.Jan 2000 - present: launch of first two songs (new) in Spanish; video production for the song "Share Energy"; 8-minute BBC Radio World Service to be broadcasted on May in 15 countries in Latin America; radio interviews (3 hours in total) on Santiago's radio stations

Group Members Michelle Mackenzie - VocalsAart Beunderman - Guitar, vocalsDavid Plumb - Drums, violinAntonio Gschwender - Bass

Instruments Vocals, backing vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, violin

Albums Debut LP "blue belly", 10 songs, original compositions, in English

Press Reviews 1. (From an article written by Marisol García, one of Santiago’s top music journalists, which appeared in www.chilerock.cl October 20, 1999)Two years ago they were called "The Blue", but destiny gave them a name that is more illustrative of their special and peculiar history, "back to belly" - a reference to a “return to the womb” (or even the sleeping embrace we all know as “spoons” !) – a group that is unavoidably shaped by the notion of roots . And instead of reacting negatively to their apparent lack thereof, they have opted to assume their multinational condition as an advantage.A Dutch-Englishman (Aart Beunderman - guitarist, song-writer), a US drummer (David Plumb) and 2 Chileans - vocalist Michelle Mackenzie and bass-player Antonio Gschwender – formed this band 2 years ago in Santiago, Chile, characterised by each member’s divergent cultural outlooks. Their music unites them and their carefully crafted harmonies and originality have had a real impact on a Santiago music scene that is often only characterised by simplicity and coarseness. Like a “fusion between a bluesy-pop guitar, funky bass, jazzy voice and a rock beat (...), boundless, calmly penetrating, sometimes melancholic, aggressive or melodic”, is how "back to belly" define their work, moulded into the 10 songs that comprise their debut CD blue belly . They are all songs by Aart, neatly fitting his lyrics in English to finely-crafted harmonies, energised by Michelle Mackenzie’s jazz phrasing.2. What Chile’s national media says:“A promising new offering and which is definitely on the way up (...)” (www.panoramas.cl , October 2, 1999)“Excellent, a new proposition” (Sergio Arriagada, Calentando Motores, National RadioTiempo FM) “A great song that definitely deserves to be heard on the airwaves” (Rolando Ramos, National Radio Rock & Pop FM, referring to the song “Share Energy”, from the LP blue belly) 3. see back to belly's

Location Santiago, NA - Chile

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