PORCELAIN ID

Porcelain id is the pseudonym under which Hubert Tuyishime (23, they/them) has been releasingidiosyncratic songs since 2020. The Rwandan artist operating from Antwerp immediatelymanaged to adopt an unmistakable, recognizable style, characterized by raw, emotionalvocals.Hubert switches smoothly between Dutch and English and writes personal lyrics about identity,gender and racism. Their unique musicality is influenced by Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Bon Iver andDaniel Johnston. In two years’ time, Porcelain id has become one of the most interestingemerging talents in Belgium, with an impressive live reputation that led to support shows forMeskerem Mees, Sylvie Kreusch and Roland Van Campenhout and a first prize in the nationalSound Track competition.

A year after Porcelain id first emerged with the DIY EP 'Mango' in 2021, Unday Records released 'Reprise', a stripped-down reinterpretation of that debut. 

While Mango was a concept EP about queerness, police brutality and identity, Reprise is an intimate and poetic state of affairs, inspired by the drastic changes of the past year. The lo-fi sound has been replaced by breathtaking minimalism. Porcelain id presents new versions of Blauw, Montana, No Denim and Muschel that match the intensity and intimacy of their impressive live versions. All tracks on the EP were made in one day with Nicolas Rombouts, except for Blauw and Vlaanderen, on which James de Graef from Shht played keys in a second studio session. 

The EP also includes a brand new song: Vlaanderen. The gospel song, sung in Porcelain id’s local Flemish accent, is a tragically beautiful ode to the misfortunes in life. It was written the night their son was born, an overwhelming moment that reminded the artist of their own childhood and the struggles that came with it as a black and queer person. Vlaanderen is perhaps their most personal song to date, and it has already proven to be an audience favourite on live shows.

"Very developed sound for someone as young as myself. Which actually means I couldn't do it myself." - Meskerem Mees (selective Soundtrack 2021-2022)