Randolf Smeets

About Randolf Smeets

Randolf Smeets, (expired link) The Phlod-Nar, has reached his 20-year landmark in 2017 of what has been an amazing and diverse experience for his avid listeners.

The now-Belgian resident first embarked on his musical journey way back in 1996, with a lot on the menu to feed his quickly growing, hungry audience, dishing out to them an array of ambient, electronic and experimental audio-cuisine.

2006 saw five releases by The Phlod-Nar, consisting of works from 1996 to 2006, covering a multitude of genres. This included piano improvisations, ambient works, noise art, dark soundtracks and electronic fusion.

Just two years later, The Phlod-Nar caused controversy with his piece “Wanjina”, inspired by Aboriginal Culture. An article by Geoff Vivian for WA News, states that the Dutch musician had offended Kimberly Aboriginal elders by using their sacred cultural materials without their permission.

In his score-long career so far, Smeets has written music for various short films and audio books. He was also the film composer for the documentary “Arches & Bridges”. On top of this, he has been a sought after collaborator, working with ‘Jaxxrain’ in the piano/electronics duo ‘The Mun Astronauts’, ‘Booktrack’ (music for audiobooks), Andrei Tarkovsky (film music with poetry), Agula (guitarscapes, krautrock), A Z I M O G U (treatments in sound), Feirledijika (jazz with movie dialogue), Vigilan Freeland (bandmember on bass, clarinet, guitar, piano) and ‘The Concourse In Atmosphere’ - a collective of musicians each with their own artistic direction, coming together to create a revolutionary musical moment (part of the Clifford Brown Jazz Foundation).

In a review of his Works For Piano, Kelly O’Neil most aptly summarized his work saying “Smeets is a highly creative composer…liberating musical constraints yet still keeping his works aurally pleasurable”

Be sure to keep up with everything new that Smeets has in the pipeline, including several new special releases in celebration of his 20-year musical landmark. You can find out more information by following The Phlod-Nar on his social media channels and website, using the links provided!