Biography
Delv!s is the stage name of Niels Delvaux, a Belgian singer-songwriter and soul artist born on September 9, 1987, in Landen, Flemish Brabant. He grew up in a musical family—his parents met in a Celtic folk group—and was active as a singer and musician in various rock bands from a young age. During his studies, Delvaux discovered jazz vocalists like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, which deepened his passion for Black music genres including soul, funk, and blues, drawing inspiration from artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, and B.B. King.
Delvaux's professional breakthrough began in 2010 when he collaborated with the Leuven-based DJ collective Up High Collective on the single 'Blend,' which gained significant airplay on Studio Brussel and caught the attention of renowned DJ Gilles Peterson, leading to a mini-tour opening for Aloe Blacc. His career gained further momentum with the 2013 Canvas television commission 'Tell Me,' followed by his major commercial success with the disco-funk track 'Come My Way' in 2016, which he performed on multiple Belgian television programs. In 2017, he released the studio album 'No Ending' under Because Music, blending soul, funk, and disco influences reminiscent of Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, and achieved a Radio 2 Zomerhit nomination for 'Sunday Interlude.'
In 2021, Delvaux announced his final album 'BlaBlaBlue' (2022), which marked both his debut and farewell due to health constraints. The album featured singles 'Baby Love' and 'Money,' and he announced his retirement from live performances, concluding a career marked by critical acclaim across Flanders, the Netherlands, and France.
Fun Facts
- Delvaux was discovered by renowned DJ Gilles Peterson, who picked up his 2010 single 'Blend' for his Brownswood Recordings label after hearing it on Studio Brussel.
- His 2013 track 'Tell Me' originated as a Canvas television commission requesting a one-minute summer tune, but Delvaux delivered a full-length song that became a summer hit and opened doors to festival performances.
- Before pursuing music full-time, Delvaux moved to Brussels for three years (around 2010) to gain practical musical experience while collaborating with the Up High Collective on electronic music experimentation.
- Delvaux performed 'Sunday Interlude' live during the Radio 2 Zomerhit show in Blankenberge after the track received a nomination for the award in 2017.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Selah Sue - Belgian artist who introduced Delvaux to her producer in a Brussels bar and invited him to perform as her opening act (Opening performances at Het Depot concert series in Leuven) [2010s]
Key Collaborators
- Up High Collective - Leuven-based DJ collective with whom Delvaux experimented with electronic music and recorded his breakthrough single ('Blend feat. Delv!s' (2010))
- Title - DJ and flatmate with whom Delvaux recorded electronic music ('Sidechain reaction' (2011))
- Deetron - Swedish DJ who featured Delvaux as guest vocalist ('Insatiable' (2013))
- Bacon Fat - Sint-Truiden blues group featuring Delvaux as guest vocalist and harmonica player ('Blues for Carol' and 'Raggafari Jack' on 'Reinventing the Mojo' (2007))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Delv!s has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.