Marten de Paepe plays warm, acoustic whisper songs and is part of the youngest guild of Dutch singer-songwriters. He sings marked songs of spring and fall and is placed in the genre of Americana and new folk. Marten de Paepe as singer-songwriter is a folkie, his music is being made with the least of means. Live and on record he is accompanied with four musicians. The debut album of Marten de Paepe was released by Ding Giraffe Recordings in December 2007. It was received with various enthusiastic critics in pop magazines and internet magazines. The album did very good on the radio as well: Kris Kijne from 3VOOR12 (Down from the mountain) said about Marten de Paepe: “I call it ethereal Americana. Call it what you like, but don’t miss him!” Jaap Boots (VPRO) invited de Paepe in February at Cantina on radio 6 and wrote after the episode: “He is proud of being part of the youngest guild of Dutch singer-songwriters. And he should be, judging by his qualities as a songwriter.” Marten de Paepe not only is popular at VPRO, TROS invited him as well in July 2008 to play at the acclaimed TROS Music café. In June 2007 Marten de Paepe won the finals of the Dutch singer-songwriter competition ‘Nootuitgang’. Before this, a song of his was released on the compilation CD ‘Pet Series volume 6 – the mouse’ by the label Volkoren. Wintertuin, a festival for literature and music, invited De Paepe to take part in the production ‘Poetracks’. He wrote a song inspired by the poem ‘Straattoneel’ by the famous Dutch novelist W.F. Hermans. The song was released on the album ‘Poetracks’ in November 2008, together with songs by artists like Ellen ten Damme, Rick de Leeuw and Lucky Fonz III. Marten de Paepe supported various artists in 2008. He shared the stage with Chris Chameleon in 013 (Tilburg) and Ekko (Utrecht) and Joan as police woman in Melkweg (Amsterdam) and Tivoli (Utrecht). Marten de Paepe was elected in the same year to take part in the Popronde and was a much and welcome seen artist in many Dutch clubs. Marten de Paepe as singer-songwriter is a folkie, his music is being made with the least of means. Vocals and guitar are the backbone of his songs. Live and on record he is accompanied with four musicians, Chantal van der Leest (vocals, xylophone, and harmonium), Mischa Porte (drums), Jan-Pieter Maaijwee (electric guitar) and Rogier Happel (bass guitar). Marten de Paepe loves to be on stage, when he’s not writing songs at home, he’s performing them somewhere on stage. Analogue equipment more and more is being replaced by digital techniques, the living room is making place for the stage. What didn’t change is his direct approach of music. Songs are born out of silence. This silence is being cherished in the songs of Marten de Paepe. The sound you hear when waking up.