“Doing what we love and being happy to wake up every day to do it!” says Louan Kempenaers, one half of the Belgian duo KOWARI, when reflecting on what drives his creative journey. Alongside Damien Chierici, the other half of the duo, KOWARI weaves together the classical instruments with the energy of modern electronica. Their music is rich in emotional depth, yet the duo describes themselves as anything but melancholic. Instead, they see their sound as a reflection of their love for music that moves people—both emotionally and physically—while maintaining their sociable and upbeat nature.
Their story began when Louan, working on music for a short film, reached out to Damien for string accompaniment. Both artists were signed to the same label through other projects, and what started as a one-off collaboration quickly evolved into something more profound. Damien recalls, “It was a real musical and friendly encounter. It was super easy to make music together, and as we really enjoyed spending time together, creating KOWARI was an evidence.” With their combined love for storytelling and soundscapes, KOWARI emerged as a partnership rooted in both creative and personal synergy.
Their latest single, “Mori,” is a wonderful piece, blending acoustic piano and violin with the hauntingly emotive vocals of rising Belgian singer Benni. The track delves into themes of longing and lost connection, painting a reflective atmosphere steeped in autumnal warmth. Louan explains, “We chose the title ‘Mori’ because everything does have an end, but it’s okay.” While it may initially seem sorrowful, the impermanence of all things often carries a hidden grace—reminding us that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning. This feeling ties the song’s melancholic yet comforting undertone to the overarching theme of their upcoming album, Memento.
In our interview, we talk about their creative process, the inspirations behind Mori, and how they balance emotional depth with the joy of making music.
photography by Romain Garcin
Damien and Louan, happy to talk to you! How are you today?
Louan: Hi, nice to talk to you too! We’re feeling well! We’re enjoying a bit of time off after the summer tour!
Damien: And we are pleased to release our new single “Mori” in a few days!
“Mori” combines a melancholic warmth with acoustic instrumentation. Can you talk about the inspiration behind this single?
Damien: We wanted to have a very calm and acoustic track on the album. We had seen Benni on stage and we were stunned by her voice, so when we started composing our new album we created this song for her, and she gently agreed on adding her beautiful voice!
Benni’s lyrics in “Mori” are beautifully poetic, painting a picture of longing and lost connection. Is there a life lesson or philosophy that you bring into your songwriting?
Louan: We did not impose any topic for the track, but I guess the mood of the song led Benni to write those lyrics. I think that’s something very universal that every human being felt at least once in a lifetime (the end of a relationship). That’s why we chose the title “Mori.” We already knew that the album’s name would be Memento, and then when we heard the song with Benni’s lyrics we decided to call it “Mori.” As everything does have an end, but it’s okay.
I read in an interview that people often see you as a melancholic person because of the music you create. However, you mentioned that this isn’t really true—that you’re more sociable and a bon vivant. But you also said you’re naturally drawn to melancholic music because it resonates deeply with you. I can relate, as I’m also a happy person who enjoys music with a deeper, melancholic sound. Are there any exceptions for you—styles or types of music that bring out a different side?
Louan: That’s a difficult question. To be totally honest, I think I mostly listen to melancholic music. I listen to all kinds of music, from indie rock to UK drill, house music to classical music, but I guess the common factor is the melancholic mood. And I don’t think it makes you a melancholic person to listen to melancholic music. I’ve seen a couple of times Parcels live, and I must say that I had never seen a crowd with such smiles and dancing all together—I really enjoyed it! Same with Jungle! And I must admit that when I wanna party with friends, I do listen to 90’s and 2000’s pop songs!
Damien: Like Louan, I mostly listened to melancholic music—that’s what resonates with me the most! But we are true music lovers, so we do listen to all types and genres.
“I don’t think it makes you a melancholic person to listen to melancholic music.”
Louan
I also read that Louan first reached out to Damien while working on music for a short film and needed string accompaniment. Since you were both with the same label through other projects, that’s how you connected. Looking back, is there a particular moment that made you realize this collaboration could evolve into a lasting duo?
Louan: We realised pretty soon that we wanted to turn this collaboration into a live project.
Damien: As we often say, it was a real musical and friendly encounter. It was super easy to make music together, and as we really enjoyed spending time together, creating Kowari was an evidence.
Many of your listeners describe your music as cinematic. If “Mori” were a scene in a film, what would it look like?
Louan: The easy answer would be a breakup scene, but I like being surprised by movies. So that would be awesome to hear this song in a sci-fi movie to suggest a robot can feel emotions like loneliness.
So, and what’s the last movie that deeply impacted you?
Louan: I just watched the mini-series Ripley with Andrew Scott and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the black-and-white photography. But the last movie that had a huge impact is probably Oppenheimer because of the music work from Ludwig Göransson! I also loved Anatomy of a Fall by French director Justine Triet, and I wanted to mention La Nuit se Traîne by Belgian director Michael Blanchart, which is an ambitious action movie that takes place in Brussels! Oh, and Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite, of course… and Everything Everywhere All at Once by the Daniels!
Damien: I just watched The Banshees of Inisherin a couple of days ago! I loved that movie, the social dimension, the beauty of the landscape, and the music. I think it’s a masterpiece.
“Being lost in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature is a very effective way!” Damien
Is there a place that inspires you deeply when you’re creating music?
Damien: For our two first albums, we locked ourselves in a wood cabin in the Belgian Ardennes. That’s where we composed and recorded most of our songs. As you mentioned earlier, we’re both very active with different side projects, so we need to go somewhere we can cut from our daily life. And being lost in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature is a very effective way!
The most important thing in life is?
Louan: Doing what we love and being happy to wake up every day to do it!
Damien: And meeting new people along the way! Having the chance to connect with people from all around!
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