Bernthøler
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Brussels , Belgium |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Bernthøler was a pop and avant-garde group originating from Brussels, Belgium, active during the years 1981 to 1985.
History
What began as a "musical experiment" inspired by a lyric from Virna Lindt, Bernthøler unexpectedly achieved success with their 1983 single "My Suitor"/"Emotions." The song gained airplay in the UK through DJ John Peel and secured a spot in his 1984 Festive Fifty. This exposure resulted in a contract with the UK-based Blanco y Negro Records. The band then issued an extended version of "My Suitor," which included contributions from Wim Mertens and Drita Kotaji. Despite sporadic live shows, the group dissolved in 1985.
In 1999, Studio Brussel selected "My Suitor" for its Bass-tard remix contest, which DJ Buscemi won; he subsequently released the remix both as a single and on his album Our Girl in Havana. DJ Chantal Pattyn hailed the track as a Belgian new wave classic. The song was also interpreted by Kahimi Karie on her 2001 release titled My Suitor. A limited edition compilation entitled A History of Bernthøler 1981-1985, assembled by Simon Rigot in 1997, chronicled the band’s trajectory; an official edition was later issued by LTM Recordings in 2004.
In 2015, Starman Records issued a 12" vinyl featuring the UK EP, early demo versions, along with the previously unreleased 1983 track "Heartbeat."
"My Suitor" has seen multiple cover versions by artists including:
- 1998: Figurine on the compilation Moshi Moshi
- 1999: Buscemi on Our Girl in Havana
- 1999: Das Pop on the EP Electronica for Lovers
- 2001: Kahimi Karie on the EP My Suitor
- 2002: De Flandriens on the live CD De popklassiekers
- 2011: The Arch featuring Drita Kotaji on the CD Engine in Void
- 2025: Elias Rønnenfelt featuring jonatan leandoer96 on the single Little Gods / My Suitor
Post-breakup
Manuel Poutte, who played keyboards, shifted his career toward film directing and earned the prestigious Palme d'Or for a short film in 1992.
Drita Kotaji, vocalist and lyricist, continues her solo endeavors and collaborates on projects such as the INK. duet.
Simon Rigot, responsible for composition, guitar, and keyboards, worked with groups like Les Cactus and Resurrection. During the 1990s, he broadened his musical expertise by learning the sitar and currently performs with Belgian ensemble the Narcotic Daffodils, playing synthesizer, Hammond organ, and Wurlitzer electric piano.
Pol Fourmois, who played bass guitar, now applies his skills as an electro-technician within the film industry.
Albums
- Merry Lines in the Sky CD (2004), LTM – includes 15 tracks featuring the My Suitor EP
- My Suitor Vinyl (2015), Starman Records – comprises 12 tracks including the My Suitor EP
Singles and EPs
- "Japanese Garden/The Others" (1982), Putovsky
- "My Suitor/Emotions" (1983), Blue Feather
- My Suitor EP ("My Suitor"/"Pardeon Up Here"/"Lunacies"/"Emotions") (1984), Blanco y Negro
Compilation appearances
- 1992: Witlof from Belgium, Volume 4: 80's, Part 2 – track "My Suitor"
- 1998: Was Het Nu 70 of 80? Vol 7 – tracks "My Suitor", EVA
- 2005: Various Artists – Bel 80 (Het Beste Uit De Belpop Van 1980-1989) – "My Suitor", Universal
- 2007: Les Inrockuptibles présentent: 100 trésors cachés: chansons rares & indispensables – "My Suitor", Les Inrockuptibles
- 2008: Expo 58 - De soundtrack – "My Suitor", ARS Entertainment
- 2010: Underground Belgian Wave Volume 2 – "Toys", Walhalla Records
- 2011: Belpop. De eerste 50 jaar CD5 – "My Suitor", EMI
- 2013: 80s Compilation EP – "Images", EE Tapes
- 2014: Studio Brussel - Eigen Kweek - 30 jaar Studio Brussel – "My Suitor"
- 2014: Insane 80s [EV01>EV10] – "Images - Exterieur Nuit", EE Tapes
- 2015: 100 Op 1 - De Beste Belgen (Radio 1) – "My Suitor", Warner
- 2016: Nostalgie - Belpop Classics – "My Suitor", Sony Music