Peter Meyvaert

(english version under the dutch version)

Peter Meyvaert spendeerde het grootste deel van zijn loopbaan als componist van honderden tunes voor televisie, zoals bijvoorbeeld de televisiethema’s van de programma’s als Telefacts, VTM Nieuws, Stadion, Royalty, …

Opgenomen televisiemuziek was een onbekend concept in België tot de oprichting van VTM in 1989. Peter schreef meteen muziek voor de allereerste VTM-programma’s. Daarnaast speelde hij als gitarist in verschillende bands, onder meer in het toenmalige ensemble van Marijn Devalck en bij de elektrorockband A Split Second. ARS-records bleek gefascineerd door de soulvolle warme stem en bood Peter in 1993 een platencontract aan als zanger, componist, producer, muzikant. Hij bracht een album uit onder de naam Shane. Enkele singles daaruit haalden hitlijst-noteringen in verschillende Europese en Zuid-Amerikaanse landen. In eigen land bleef de belangstelling beperkt.

Hij gaf popmuziek al snel weer op om zich volledig te wijden aan zijn werk voor televisie en film. Zijn korte composities waren dagelijks te horen op verschillende televisiezenders in alle Vlaamse huiskamers gedurende 25 jaar, maar zelf bleef hij daarbij in de anonimiteit. Peter Meyvaert zocht nooit veel aandacht op als publieke figuur en bleef vooral bekend in het professionele milieu. In de marge realiseerde Peter autonoom tal van videoprojecten, muziekvideo’s, nieuwsitems en een documentaire, in een aantal gevallen voor de toenmalige Oostvlaamse televisiezender S-televisie.

Maar de hunker naar live musiceren nam niet af. In 2013 nam hij de gitaar opnieuw ter hand en verscheen terug live op de Vlaamse podia, met voornamelijk bewerkingen van klassiekers en af en toe een eigen song. Nummers zoals de bewerkte klassieker “Teardrops”, of de eigen chanson “Un Zeste De Ciel”, konden op veel bijval rekenen bij een breed internationaal publiek. Na alle omzwervingen bleek het podium waar zijn hart écht thuis was, en hij besloot zich enkel nog toe te leggen op het live musiceren op allerlei evenementen, hotels, restaurants. Regelmatig verschijnen nieuwe eigen songs of remakes op het Youtube-kanaal met dezelfde naam.

Peter Meyvaert (pronounced  : MEY like the month May, VAERT like the -vert in advert) started off as a studio guitarist as a teenager and young twen, immediately noticed by, and working with, several well known Belgian artists. By the age of 18 he had already produced a number of backing tracks for artists to perform with. Later he joined the cabaret-ensemble of the well known Belgian actor Marijn Devalck as guitarist for several years, but after hours he never stopped writing his own pop music. Deciding on a change of direction, he emerged as a singer, astonishing everyone  with his warm voice, his exceptional guitar work and charismatic personality. Under the name of “Shane” he produced and released a number of singles and a full album, which launched him onto the the world stage, with some chart notations all over Europe and South America. Soon he realised, however, that more interesting challenges  lay in the world of film compositions, audio styling, sound design and television music, disciplines in which he has been successful for over a quarter of a century now, and ongoing today. Peter wrote, played and produced hundreds of tunes for use in television shows and commercials, and hours of music for prestigious industrial films and even for a TV-soap. For over a decade his collection of television music made him the most frequently broadcasted composer of Belgium. Unfortunately television music is mostly broadcasted anonymously. His music was in every Belgian living room, but his name was hardly ever mentioned. The anonymity came with the job.

quote :

“Making music for all sorts of images is what offers me the hardest musical challenges one can think of, because emotion as well as functionality have to be timed accurately to a tenth of a second. Not to mention the sound quality, which has to be more than perfect, since the compositions are being played hundreds of times, without ever annoying anyone. It’s not given to everyone to make this happen. Pop music is not capable of doing this. Television music is a vastly underestimated genre, and if done well, the profession requires knowledge and talent in all disciplines connected to the making of music. And moreover (smile) it’s a real job that lasts longer than the average celebrity career. However… I admit, going out and gig is great great fun.”

In addition to his passion for music, Peter created, directed, produced and presented several video productions. Being eager for knowledge Peter also joined the production team of the legendary television show Blind Date for ten seasons, and pioneered as senior sound engineer for the first Big Brother series in Belgium.

But Peter’s love for the live pop scene never disappeared. After some tryouts, using several pseudonyms as Halfnaked, McLove, Bubbagum and Electrolyte, he actively reentered the live stages under his own name in 2013. In his solo performances he loves to cover timeless songs in unique versions, as well as to introduce his original work, both in his glowing warm style.

Contact : petermeyvaert@telenet.be or managmediamuze@outlook.com