Jan Verstraeten must be one of the most common names in Belgium. You would never associate it with the Disneyesque strings, cinematic indie pop and lo-fi bossanova that make up visual artist and musician Jan Verstraeten's intriguing debut EP 'Cheap Dreams'.

Jan Verstraeten never knew how his secret solo project would turn out himself, although he initially had a clear idea. He wanted to make a film, a road movie about an invented 'motor house' - a cross between a motorcycle and a camper - and compose its soundtrack. Things turned out differently. Jan ended up recording an EP instead of shooting a film, though the result of his endeavors is much more than 'just' music. You might call 'Cheap Dreams' Jan Verstraeten's imaginary theme park. It is the one place where all of his passions - music, video and graphics - construct an alternative reality, a place where spectators gladly get lost. In this universe, the music, videos and the artwork Jan abundantly creates are equally as important.

On his debut, jazz, bossa, indie and classical music regularly pay a visit. The album title illustrates how the six tracks were conceived in harsh conditions, with a limited budget. 'Cheap Dreams' is the soundtrack to the working class hero's life. Jan Verstraeten is all about contrasts. Both in his videos and in his tunes he likes to play with light and dark, cold and warm, hope and desperation. He sews and distrusts in one swift movement. This results in comforting music and tumbling imagery that make you realize that inspiration is to be found anywhere, as long as you're willing to see it.
[info from label]