K's Choice
K's Choice is a Belgian alternative rock band formed in Antwerp in the early 1990s by siblings Gert Bettens (guitar and vocals) and Sam Bettens (lead vocals and guitar), renowned for their introspective lyrics, melodic hooks, and blend of alternative rock with adult contemporary elements.[1][2] The band achieved international breakthrough in the late 1990s following the release of their major-label debut Paradise in Me (1995), which included the hit single "Not an Addict," a track that peaked at number 8 in the Flanders region of Belgium and gained widespread radio play across Europe and North America.[1][3][4] Subsequent albums such as Cocoon Crash (1998) and Almost Happy (2000) solidified their success, with singles like "Everything for Free" from Cocoon Crash earning them tours alongside artists like Alanis Morissette and performances at events including Lilith Fair.[1] After disbanding in 2003 to pursue solo projects, K's Choice reunited in 2009 and released the folk-influenced double album Echo Mountain in 2010, marking a return to their roots with more intimate songwriting.[1] The Bettens siblings have since expanded the lineup, producing further works like The Phantom Cowboy (2015) and maintaining an active touring schedule across Europe, North America, and beyond.[5] In 2022–present, the band has marked their 30th anniversary with the single "Time Is a Parasite," a vinyl box set compiling early material, and an extensive acoustic tour featuring reinterpreted hits and new songs.[6][7]History
Formation and early years (1992–1995)
K's Choice was founded in 1992 in Antwerp, Belgium, by siblings Sarah Bettens (lead vocals and guitar; later known as Sam Bettens) and Gert Bettens (guitar and keyboards), who initially performed as an acoustic duo at local venues.[8][9] The pair had been active in the local music scene since the late 1980s, starting with a hobby band called The Basement Plugs that covered popular songs while they studied.[9] By 1991, they shifted to original material under the name The Happy Hours, before renaming to The Choice in 1992 and expanding the lineup with bassist Erik Verheyden and drummer Koen Lieckens to form a full band.[9] In 1994, due to a naming conflict in the United States, the band changed its name to K's Choice and signed with BMG Records, which reissued their debut material on a larger scale.[9] Their self-titled debut album, The Great Subconscious Club, was released in October 1994 following an initial mini-album version in 1993 on the independent Double T label.[9][10] The album showcased the band's early alternative rock sound, blending introspective lyrics with guitar-driven arrangements, and featured tracks such as "Me Happy," "Breakfast," and "I Smoke a Lot."[11] It achieved modest success in Belgium, helping establish a niche following through college radio airplay.[9] The band supported the album with early tours across Belgium and the neighboring Netherlands, performing at small clubs and theaters to build a dedicated local fanbase before gaining wider attention.[9] These performances highlighted the siblings' chemistry and the group's raw energy, laying the groundwork for their transition to international recognition with subsequent releases.[2]Breakthrough with Paradise in Me (1996–1997)
Following the modest success of their 1994 debut album The Great Subconscious Club, K's Choice achieved their commercial breakthrough with Paradise in Me, released in 1995 in Belgium by Double T Music and on August 20, 1996, in the United States by 550 Music.[12][13] Recorded at Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium, and other local facilities, the album showcased the band's evolving alternative rock sound, blending post-grunge energy with introspective lyrics centered on themes of personal struggle and emotional vulnerability. It quickly topped the Belgian albums chart and remained on the Dutch Top 100 for nearly 90 weeks, while peaking at number 121 on the U.S. Billboard 200, signaling their emerging international appeal.[14][15] The lead single, "Not an Addict," released in October 1996, became the album's defining track, peaking at number 8 on the Belgian Ultratop Flanders chart and number 15 on the Dutch Single Top 100, with substantial airplay on U.S. alternative radio that propelled it to number 5 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[16][17] The song's lyrics employ a metaphor for addiction and denial, inspired by frontwoman Sarah Bettens' observations of substance dependence, capturing the desperation of withdrawal through lines like "It's over now, I'm cold, alone / I'm just a person on my own."[18] Its music video, directed by Lance Mercer and featuring guest vocalist Skin of Skunk Anansie, incorporates dark, moody pharmaceutical imagery—such as pills and medical motifs—to visually reinforce the theme of chemical dependency amid intense performance shots of the band.[19] Other notable singles included "A Sound That Only You Can Hear" and "Mr. Freeze," which further highlighted the album's melodic hooks and raw emotional delivery. The record earned gold certification in Belgium (50,000 units) and platinum in the Netherlands (100,000 units), reflecting combined sales exceeding 150,000 copies across Europe.[20][21] To promote Paradise in Me, the band expanded its live lineup with bassist Eric Grossman joining core members Sarah and Gert Bettens, alongside drummer Bart Van Der Zeeuw and guitarist Jan van Sichem Jr., enabling a fuller sound for touring. In 1997, they embarked on their first major U.S. tour as opening act for Alanis Morissette, performing across North America and gaining exposure to larger audiences through high-profile festival appearances and support slots that solidified their transatlantic presence.[22] Critics lauded the album for Sarah Bettens' versatile vocals—described as "wistful" and "scorching"—which anchored the band's churning alternative rock arrangements, with reviewers noting its competent post-grunge style that balanced aggression and melody without relying on genre clichés.[23][24]Peak era: Cocoon Crash and Almost Happy (1998–2003)
Following the success of Paradise in Me, K's Choice entered their peak era with the release of their third studio album, Cocoon Crash, on October 19, 1998, produced by Joe Henry. The album debuted at number 1 on the Belgian Ultratop charts and reached number 108 on the US Billboard 200, marking their highest international chart performance to date.[25] Key singles from Cocoon Crash included "Believe", "Everything for Free" (which topped the Belgian charts), and "If You're Not Scared". The album's lyrics delved into themes of personal introspection, exploring emotional vulnerability and self-reflection amid the band's growing fame. To promote the record, K's Choice undertook extensive international tours, including opening for Alanis Morissette in 1999, which helped solidify their presence in North American markets.[26][27] The band's momentum continued with their fourth album, Almost Happy, released on October 22, 2001, which also debuted at number 1 on the Belgian charts. Produced with a more stripped-back sound, it featured singles "Almost Happy" and "Say One Thing". However, the album's promotion was curtailed by shifts in the music industry following the September 11, 2001, attacks, limiting its global reach compared to previous efforts.[28][29] By late 2002, after completing their final tour in support of Almost Happy, K's Choice announced an indefinite hiatus, culminating in an official split in 2003. The decision was attributed to burnout from years of relentless touring and recording, as well as a mutual desire to pursue individual solo projects.[30][31] During this period, K's Choice garnered significant recognition in Belgium, winning TMF Awards for Best Album in 1998 (Cocoon Crash) and 2001 (Almost Happy), along with the Best Female Singer award for Sarah Bettens. These accolades underscored their dominance in the domestic rock scene.[32]Hiatus and solo projects (2003–2009)
Following the release of Almost Happy in 2001 and subsequent touring, K's Choice entered an indefinite hiatus in 2003, allowing core members Sarah and Gert Bettens to pursue individual creative endeavors.[30] Sarah Bettens launched her solo career with the album Scream, her debut full-length release, which came out in Europe in March 2005 via PIAS Recordings and in the United States in August 2005 on Hybrid Recordings.[33][34] The album featured a diverse range of styles from pop to hard-edged rock, emphasizing a straightforward sound centered on Bettens' vocals and lyrics that explored personal introspection alongside political undertones, marking a shift toward themes of individual reflection and societal commentary.[34] To promote Scream, Bettens embarked on European tours immediately after its continental release and planned a U.S. tour starting in October 2005 as part of the Yellow Umbrella Tour, with the single "Stay" serving as the lead track in North America.[34] In 2007, Sarah Bettens followed up with her second solo album, Shine, released on November 23 via Decca Records, which continued her exploration of personal growth through motifs of innocence, optimism, and a renewed lust for life, as reflected in the title track's imagery of purity akin to a child's perspective.[35][36] Recorded at Seagrass Studio in Valley Village, California, the album maintained a folk-rock and alternative edge while highlighting Bettens' evolving songwriting, and she supported it with additional live performances across Europe.[35] During this period, Gert Bettens also ventured into solo work, releasing his debut solo album in Europe in September 2005, shortly after his sister's Scream.[34] He soon formed the band Woodface, with which he issued the album Comet in 2007 on Lipstick Notes Records, blending rock elements in tracks like "When Colors Fade" and "I Will Carry You."[37][38] Woodface opened for several of Sarah Bettens' solo shows in 2007 and 2008, fostering ongoing musical collaboration between the siblings despite the band's inactivity.[39] Beyond music, Sarah Bettens focused on personal milestones, including her marriage to Stef Kramer since 2002 and raising their family.[40] Drummer Koen Lieckens and bassist Eric Grossman engaged in other musical opportunities, with Lieckens contributing to various Belgian projects and Grossman taking on session bass work.[41][42] The band's official website, kschoice.com, remained active throughout the hiatus, serving as a hub for fan updates on members' solo activities and maintaining community engagement without new group material.[30] By 2008, speculation about a potential reunion grew as the Bettens siblings began discussing new song ideas, paving the way for initial festival performances in 2009.[39]Reunion and Echo Mountain (2010–2012)
Following their individual solo projects during the hiatus, K's Choice announced their reunion with a one-off performance at the Dranouter Festival on August 7, 2009, marking their return to the stage after six years apart. Sam Bettens, who came out as transgender in 2019 (previously known as Sarah Bettens), performed alongside Gert Bettens.[43] The reformed lineup featured core members Sam Bettens on lead vocals and guitar and Gert Bettens on guitar and keyboards, joined by returning guitarist Jan Van Sichem Jr., bassist Eric Grossman, and drummer Koen Lieckens.[22] This configuration brought a refreshed dynamic to the band as they began work on new material shortly after the Dranouter show. Inspired by the reunion, K's Choice self-produced their fifth studio album, Echo Mountain, recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, during late 2009. Released on March 26, 2010, in Belgium via Sony Music, the album showcased a more introspective and acoustic-leaning style, with standout tracks including the reflective "Revolving" and the poignant "Whenever It Snows."[44] It debuted at number 19 on the Ultratop Flanders Albums Chart and peaked at number 15, spending 19 weeks in the top 100 and reflecting solid domestic support for their comeback.[45] The release was supported by an extensive European tour spanning 2010 and 2011, featuring headline shows across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, including a high-profile performance at Antwerp's Lotto Arena on April 23, 2010.[46] Critics praised the band's evolved sound on Echo Mountain as more mature and mellow, emphasizing emotional depth through layered harmonies and stripped-back arrangements that contrasted their grungier 1990s output.[47]The Phantom Cowboy and mid-2010s releases (2013–2017)
Following the success of their 2010 reunion album Echo Mountain, K's Choice continued to build their post-hiatus momentum with a focus on raw, introspective rock. In 2014, the band expanded its lineup for greater stability, adding lead guitarist Tom Lodewyckx alongside bassist Bart Van Lierde, keyboardist Reinout Swinnen, and drummer Wim Van Der Westen, complementing the core duo of Sam and Gert Bettens. This configuration supported the group's evolving sound, blending alternative rock with emotional depth. The band's sixth studio album, The Phantom Cowboy, was released on February 5, 2015, in Europe via Wallaby Records and on September 18, 2015, in the United States via MPress Records.) Recorded in a stripped-back style that emphasized live energy, the album debuted at number three on the Belgian Albums Chart (Ultratop Flanders).[48] Standout tracks included "Woman," a powerful anthem of self-empowerment, and "Private Revolution," which captures sudden personal epiphanies.[49] Overall, the record delves into themes of resilience amid life's hardships, with the title track evoking a spectral figure navigating doubt and rebirth.[50] To promote The Phantom Cowboy, K's Choice undertook extensive tours across Europe and the United States, marking their first U.S. headline run in over a decade starting in March 2016.[48] These performances highlighted the band's dynamic stage presence, often incorporating acoustic elements for intimate moments. In line with this approach, they collaborated with Dutch radio program 2 Meter Sessies for reimagined acoustic renditions of their material, drawing on the show's legacy of unplugged sessions to showcase vulnerability in their songwriting.[51] Complementing the album, K's Choice issued The Backpack Sessions in November 2016 via Wallaby Records, a live acoustic EP captured during their tour and featuring stripped-down versions of tracks like "Perfect Scar" and covers such as "I Can't Stand the Rain."[52] Released in a limited edition for dedicated fans, it emphasized the band's affinity for unadorned arrangements, fostering a closer connection with audiences through raw emotional delivery.[53] This period solidified K's Choice's mid-2010s resurgence, blending studio innovation with live intimacy while maintaining their signature blend of grit and melody.25th anniversary and late 2010s activities (2018–2021)
In 2017, K's Choice marked their 25th anniversary with the release of the compilation album 25 on March 24, serving as a retrospective of their career up to that point. The double-disc set features remastered hits like "Not an Addict" and "Virgin State of Mind," alongside rarities, B-sides, and new recordings, including the original track "Resonate" and a reimagined version of "Not an Addict" featuring guest vocals from Skin of Skunk Anansie. The album peaked at number 4 on the Belgian Albums Chart (Ultratop Flanders), reflecting sustained popularity in their home country.[54][55][56] The anniversary momentum carried into 2018 with the launch of a dedicated 25th Anniversary Tour, featuring intimate European dates that highlighted both electric and acoustic arrangements of fan favorites. Performances often included stripped-down sets emphasizing the band's raw emotional delivery, with shows in venues across Belgium, the Netherlands, and beyond. A standout concert occurred at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on December 13, 2017, which was later documented in the live release Live at the Ancienne Belgique, issued on March 16, 2018. This double album captures 22 tracks from the event, spanning their discography from early grunge-infused rock to later introspective material, providing fans with a high-fidelity snapshot of their stage presence.[57][58] That same year, siblings Sam and Gert Bettens participated in the Belgian television program Liefde voor Muziek, reinterpreting songs by fellow artists in a collaborative format. Their contributions included emotive covers such as "Waarom Ik?" originally by Niels Destadsbader, "Je ne rêve plus de toi" by Il Divo, and "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age, blending K's Choice's signature intensity with fresh arrangements. These appearances not only reignited interest in their catalog but also demonstrated their adaptability across genres.[59][60][61] The tour extended into 2019 with additional dates, maintaining the celebratory focus amid growing anticipation for future projects, though global events curtailed live activities thereafter. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the band shifted toward digital fan interactions and preparatory work, sustaining their connection with audiences during a period of restricted touring.30th anniversary celebrations and recent developments (2022–present)
In December 2022, K's Choice announced plans to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary with a special tour, a limited-edition vinyl box set titled Time Is a Parasite containing three remastered albums, and the release of a new single, "Time Is a Parasite".[62] The single, a reflective rock track, was released on December 9, 2022, marking the band's first original material in several years and serving as the namesake for the anniversary initiatives.[63] The celebrations kicked off in 2023 with a series of sold-out birthday concerts across Belgium, including headline shows at venues like Ancienne Belgique in Brussels and Lotto Arena in Antwerp, where the band performed reinterpreted hits from their catalog alongside the new single.[7] Building on this momentum, K's Choice launched an acoustic theatre tour in 2024 under the banner Time Is a Parasite - 30 Years of K's Choice, featuring intimate arrangements of their songs in European venues; the tour's success led to additional dates announced in September 2024, extending performances into 2025.[64] Marking the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album Paradise in Me, the band scheduled a limited run of full-album live performances for fall 2025, including shows in Belgium at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on October 6, France at La Cigale in Paris on October 5, and a special one-off in Germany at Bürgerhaus Stollwerck in Cologne on October 8.[65][66][67] These events emphasize the album's enduring impact, with setlists dedicated to playing it in sequence alongside select encores. In January 2025, K's Choice released Acoustic - Live on 2 Meter Sessions on vinyl in collaboration with the Dutch radio program 2 Meter Sessies, compiling acoustic renditions of their songs recorded between 1998 and 2007, available as a limited black vinyl edition.[51] The band has maintained an active touring schedule across Europe through 2025, with no United States dates announced as of November 2025.[68] As of November 2025, K's Choice remains active, offering fan club exclusives such as extensions to The Backpack Sessions—a series of acoustic home recordings initiated in the 2010s and continued into the 2020s—while no new studio album has been released, though band members have hinted at potential future collaborations.[52]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of K's Choice, stable since around 2014 following expansions in the 2010s, features siblings Sam and Gert Bettens at its core, supported by a consistent rhythm and support section for both studio and live performances.[69][70]- Sam Bettens (vocals, guitar): Founding member since 1992 and the band's lead songwriter and frontperson; transitioned to male in 2019 and performs as the primary vocalist.[8][71]
- Gert Bettens (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals): Co-founder in 1992 and the band's primary producer, contributing to songwriting and arrangements.[8][69]
- Bart Van Lierde (bass): Joined in 2014, providing foundational bass lines and handling live arrangements.[69][72]
- Tom Lodewyckx (guitar): Joined in 2015, adding lead guitar and textural layers to the band's sound.[69][73]
- Reinout Swinnen (keyboards): Joined in 2010, enhancing atmospheric elements and providing backing vocals.[69][5]
- Wim Van Der Westen (drums): Joined in 2012, delivering the rhythmic foundation for live and recorded material.[69][74]