Chantal Acda (Sleepingdog, Chacda) and Craig Ward (The Love Substitutes, iH8 Camera, A Clean Kitchen Is A Happy Kitchen, ex-dEUS and Kiss My Jazz) first met onboard an aeroplane bound for Glasgow. Later that evening they performed together onstage which speaks volumes about the spontaneous and intuitive character of the pair, who felt from the beginning that there was something unique in the air whenever they picked up their acoustic guitars.
Two sensitive souls who, automatically and without planning, started writing songs together, acoustic and pure.
Whether in a farmhouse attic in Hoegaarden, a bedroom in Portland, Oregon, or a studio in Mechelen, the songs kept coming. It was apparent, during recording sessions and live shows, that something special was happening – songs would emerge direct and unpolished from the heart, as True Bypass.
Craig Ward moved from Scotland to Antwerp after an invite from Stef Kamil Carlens (dEUS, Zita Swoon) to holiday there. It was a long holiday. Craig joined Kiss My Jazz and found himself in the hub of a fervent music scene so much that Rudy Trouve suggested him as his replacement in dEUS (‘In A Bar Under The Sea’ and ‘The Ideal Crash’ era albums and tours). After leaving dEUS in 2004 Craig formed acclaimed band The Love Substitutes with Mauro Pawlowski and Rudy Trouve and is also a member of I H8 Camera. In 2008 the 3 released a split solo album as Pawlowski, Trouve and Ward….. Craig’s production credits include The Frames ‘For The Birds’ alongside Steve Albini.
Chantal Acda has been performing as Sleepingdog since 2006 alongside Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid/Dead Texan) and has released 3 full length albums as Sleepingdog. Previous to Sleepingdog, Chantal recorded under her own name to release ‘Dreamly Yell’ in 1999 before moving from her native Netherlands to Belgium. In 2003 her band Chacda released ‘La Sortie’ and in 2005 “Tonar’. They toured the UK with Lambchop.
Chantal has also shared stages with the likes of Calexico, Iron & Wine, Okkervil River and Daniel Johnston.
