Dutch-born Chantal Acda, who is now based in Belgium, has been making music under the name Sleepingdog since 2006. Between 2006 and 2011, she released three albums under this moniker, culminating in With Our Heads in the Clouds and Our Hearts in the Fields, a collaboration with Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid, A Winged Victory For The Sullen). Having earned her stripes in bands like Isbells, True Bypass, and Marble Sounds, Acda sought out like-minded musicians to create an album filled with freedom, intensity, and meaning. She found them in German pianist and producer Nils Frahm (Ólafur Arnalds, Woodkid), Icelandic cellist Gyða Valtysdóttir (Múm), and American multi-instrumentalists Peter Broderick (Efterklang) and Shahzad Ismaily (Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog). Following her first solo album, Let Your Hands Be My Guide (Gizeh Records, 2013), arrived The Sparkle In Our Flaws (2015) and Bounce Back (2017). Live at Jazz Middelheim (Glitterhouse), by Chantal and Bill Frisell, was released in 2018. Again in 2018 came out Nu Nog Even Niet, in which Acda sings the verses of the Dutch poet Lotte Dodion. In 2019, Chantal created Pūwawau, a musical theater performance for the Oerol Festival in the Netherlands, in collaboration with Valgeir Sigurðsson (Björk, Thom Yorke, Sigur Rós) and singers from the Dutch Chamber Choir. In 2021, Chantal released the album Saturday Moon( with Bill Frisell and Mimi and Alan Sparhawk, among many others). Her collaboration with Italian composer and pianist Bruno Bavota resulted in the album A Closer Distance, released in 2022 on Temporary Residence. Chantal Acda & The Atlantic Drifters‘ album Silently Held came out in 2024), featuring contributions from Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan, Eric Thielemans, Shahzad Ismaily, Colin Stetson, Jozef Dumoulin, Niels Van Heertum, and Joachim Badenhorst. Chantal is also a member of the bands Distance, Light & Sky (with Chris Eckman of The Walkabouts and Eric Thielemans) and Isbells. On 19 September 2025, Chantal Acda will release her new album (on Starman Records): The Whale, a rougher and more rock-oriented project.

What She Says: “This song came to life through a captivating groove between Alan Gevaert and Eric Thielemans. Niels Van Heertum and Gaetan Vandewoude added their immense grace and I was enjoying myself on my saz. Chris Eckman was our guidance. The power of this moment led me to a feeling of helplessness, where I saw humanity moving forward as one great collective, almost like a machine, searching for answers, speaking with conviction, yet left with countless questions. First song of the album I wrote and recorded with my band. Something new and most of all something I am very grateful for. I love this band. Our world is changing so quickly. We keep our heads facing down. Always.“

“Sitting in a car while rain streams down the window. Outside, there’s bad news, chaos, and confusion, but inside there’s a quiet sense of seclusion. The car becomes a cocoon, a place to catch your breath while the world rushes by.
I spend a lot of time in my car. Listening to music, podcasts even sometimes. But most of all it’s a place where I can be alone. Never lonely. But alone with my thoughts and feelings. Emptying my head. There is this weird thing about the quick movement and the feeling of standing still. This song is one of my favourites of the album. I love the way the chorus starts and opens up a world.“

“In the studio Chris Eckman (producer) made some fun about this song. Naming it “our britpop song” the whole time. That made us laugh. So much fun to play this one. And so happy that I can finally use my guitar effects. But yeah. Britpop doesn’t really cover it!“

Her Mixtape:

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now

My favourite song of all times. I love everything about this. The words touch me deeply and helped me through the years. Her voice has this rare quality of being technically just amazing but she combines it with tons of heart. So deep and so right.
Real beauty. I tried for years to be able to sing it. She makes it sound so easy…finally I can…sort of. And this makes me so happy. Driving in my car, singing along.

Amenra – A Solitary Reign

Maybe this sounds like a strange choice. Amenra is a quite loud band. I love them.
We have some common ground. We both consider music and concerts as a ritual and look for some sort of spirituality. Depth. They are masters in surrendering themselves to the music.This song speaks about life and death. The loss of a mother. The constant love. My heart opens up when I hear this. Especially live.

Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush – Don’t give up

One of the most beautiful duets I know. Fragile, strong. The words so well placed and written. The only thing I don’t understand is the bridge. Why oh why did they add that?
But still I choose it to be on the mixtape. Just too good.

Phoebe Bridgers – Waiting Room

What a voice she has. Sometimes people told me: oh you would love Phoebe. I didn’t believe it and I am very very stubborn. Than I heard Boygenius and I thought wholy sh… So good. Okey, let’s give Phoebe a chance. And yes….there I found myself feeling like a 16 year old…listening to her hours a day for months. Totally obsessed…beautiful voice and the lyrics…wow what a storyteller!

Bon Iver – There’s a Rythm

Bon Iver has been one of the bands I listen to all the time. I love the way he surrenders himself tot he music, taking risks, following his own path. He really inspired me. There is a rythm is such a beautiful song about taking your own time to deal with difficult things. Finding the strengt hand space to do that. Breathe. Very soothing

Bess Atwell – Time comes in Roses

We have two icelandic horses. Me and my daughter go see them several times a week and in the car we loudly sing this song. She is now leaving the house to go study Arts. When I miss her: this is what I play.

The Whale is out September 19th via Starman Records. Look HERE for more information on Chantal Acda