The walking podcast

On a walk through the Merode Landscape Park, folk musicians talk about their musical background, their interests and their careers, and tell us what folk means to them. Along the way they play a few songs in nature or at heritage sites.

The episodes

Episode 1: Laura Cortese & Bert Ruymbeek · Langdorp, along the Demer

In March 2022 Laura and Bert were in residence at B&B de Meren. Lennaert Maes walks with them from the B&B past the Heimolen to the Demer valley, through the village centre of Langdorp and back through the woods. They talk about their musical background, love, folk music and how the Merode area inspired them, and play new songs at the Heimolen and in the church of Langdorp.

Episode 2: Pascale Rubens · The Demerbroeken between Zichem and Testelt

Pascale Rubens, the female half of Naragonia, lives in the Merode region herself. On a sweltering June day in 2022 she walks with Jochen Smets through the Demerbroeken from Zichem to Testelt. Along the way she talks about life and work, what the balfolk scene means to her and how Naragonia writes songs. She plays four pieces solo in the open air.

Episode 3: Maarten Decombel · Averbode Bos & Heide

In the warm summer of 2022, guitarist and mandola player Maarten Decombel walks with Jochen Smets through Averbode Bos & Heide: from the Weefbergven to the abbey, almost nine hundred years old, and the unique Lekdreef, and back over the rugged Weefberg. Maarten talks about who influenced him and how he became a folk musician, with Spilar, Naragonia Quartet and MandolinMan among others.

Episode 4: Hussein Rassim · Trichelbroek

On a rainy winter's day in 2023, oud player Hussein Rassim sets off with Lennaert Maes in the Trichelbroek. They walk along the Nete to the Sint-Bavokapel and return to the starting point past a huge peat pit and the Laak. Hussein talks about fleeing Iraq, how he quickly found his way as a musician in Brussels, and how in 2017 he gave one of his very first concerts in the Sint-Bavokapel.

Presented by Lennaert Maes or Jochen Smets. Recording, mixing and films: Bert Huysentruyt. Editing: Bert Huysentruyt, Jochen Smets and Marc Vandemoortele. With the support of Sabam for Culture, Landschapspark de Merode and the Flemish Government (arts & heritage).