Exqueezit (NL)

Exqueezit is a Balfolk duo consisting of Bert Leemans (chromatic button accordion) and Erik de Jong (piano accordion).

Bert (known from EmBRUN, Triple-X, Laouen, and Airboxes) and Erik (known from The Assasenachs, Itchy Fingers, and the Gonnagles) first met in 2006 at the Vliers music camp on Texel, where Bert introduced Erik to the finer points of Balfolk playing.

In 2018, when Bert spent more time in the north of the Netherlands, he met Erik again at the Irish Pub O’Ceallaigh in Groningen. It quickly became clear that they enjoyed playing together, which led to the idea of performing as a duo at the 15th anniversary of Balfolk at Café Wilhelmina in Eindhoven in December 2018. Six months later, they performed again at the Elf Fantasy Fair in Haarzuilens 2019, and thus Exqueezit was born.

With mutual respect for each other’s musical background and playing style (Erik leaning more Irish/Scottish and Bert more Balfolk), Bert and Erik deliver delightful Balfolk with both French/Flemish and Celtic influences. Whether you dance or just listen, it’s a guaranteed pleasure.