Marieke Bresseleers
Singer and Vocal Coach
“TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR SKILLS, AND PRACTICE AND CREATE, FOCUS AND BREATHE!'“
Hi, how are you?
I have been doing pretty ok lately! The past 4 years were hectic and mentally draining, so now I feel a great need for rest and cocooning, but it’s all part of the process!
You're the frontlady in a coverband. How did this come about?
After the first lockdown in the Summer of 2020 I found myself jobless with 0 projects. I wanted to be on stage again as fast as I could without the whole process of creating and investing time and money, so a coverband was a good way. Unfortunately we had a lot of other lockdown waiting so everything was on hold a bit for a while.
Your outfits are always on point! How do you incorporate your personal fashion style into your stage presence?
I think my look on stage is just a very exaggerated version of who I am. To keep things authentic we must stay somewhat close to ourselves but I think for this portion of rock ’n roll, it’s good to make is somewhat sleazier. I love the freedom of it, the ’no rules’. If I wanna wear a glittery bathing suit, I just do it. That’s what rock ’n roll is about: freedom.
You're also a vocal coach. How did you first get interested in vocal coaching, and what drew you to it?
I started teaching at the conservatory when I was 20. It was part of one of our classes, and since I played piano it all went really smooth and before I knew I had a true side hustle, haha! I worked with students from other courses and I discovered that I loved helping people to find their voice and true potential when it came to singing.
What’s one vocal exercise or warm-up that you swear by?
Lax Vox. Probably the most underrated, underused most effective thing for your vocal health. A lot of people skip it and find it boring, wich I get, but it’s often the things we don’t feel like doing that are the best for us!
What’s the most rewarding part of working with vocal students?
Getting them to unlock skills they didn’t have before, sing with more confidence and freedom…
Do you have any pre-performance rituals or superstitions?
I am very dedicated to my pre-performance routine. I used to not take it seriously at all but now that I’m older and wiser I truly try the athlete approach. Sleep, nourishment, breath work/meditation, yoga, cardio, vocal warmup… It all contributes to be my best self on stage.
What is you go-to karaoke song?
Probably ‘Don’t Stop Believing’!
Are you the type to snooze your alarm, or do you get up right away?
I do need a little bit of time to process the fact that I am awake, haha!
How do you keep your performances exciting and engaging for your audience?
I encourage them to dance, sing along, start a mosh pit, tell funny things about me and the band members, sometimes ask people to come on stage with me to get syringe-shot…
Do you have a favorite venue or city to perform in, and why?
I have very fond and crazy memories of performing in the Gramercy theater in New York. But my no1 favorite performance was actually in a very small biker café In Olsene, Belgium. I think that was the moment all the stars aligned for some reason and I was very much in the moment.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a high-energy performance?
Talk to the audience, get some pictures, and then sit backstage with the bandboys, drink some 0,0 beer and have something to eat. When I get home I need my instant noodles!
Tell us something to inspire the culture!
Try to stay healthy, mentally and physically, in the midst of the crazy entertainment business. Never lose track of what it’s really about and what you have as goals as an artist. Take good care of your skills, practice and create, focus and breathe!
