Biography

Hailing from Belgium, K's Choice initially started off as a duo with brother and sister Gert and Sarah Bettens. Both grew up playing music and eventually lead the band the Basement Pigs during their teens. While they fooled around with pop cover songs, Sarah eventually took off on a solo career. Her cover of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" was released in 1992 and was mild hit. A year later, she joined her brother once again and formed the band the Choice. The Great Subconscious Club appeared in 1993, earning favorable nods in the indie and college markets. Bassist Erik Verheyden and drummer Koen Lieckens were added to the fray while the Choice geared up for European tours supporting Morphine, the Proclaimers, and the Indigo Girls. By 1994, they changed their name to K's Choice upon striking an American deal with Epic.

Paradise in Me, the band's second album, showcased a more musically aware K's Choice. The dark rock reflection in debut single "Not an Addict" immediately caught on, spending nearly 30 weeks on Billboard's Heatseekers chart that year. Modern rock radio grabbed onto the single as well. Lieckens and Verheyden exited the band, leaving Bart Van der Zeeuw to take over drum duties. Tours across Europe pushed "Not an Addict" further into the mainstream, allowing K's Choice to gain popularity. Alanis Morissette, who was still setting flames with her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill, took the band on tour in 1996. Such exposure led to dates with the first annual Lilith Fair tour a year later. Somewhere in between there, K's Choice hooked up with Gil Norton (the Pixies, James, Catherine Wheel) for 1998's Cocoon Crash.

Cocoon Crash went platinum in Belgium and Holland, with "Believe" and "Everything for Free" being mainstays at radio. Times weren't nearly as perfect; Van der Zeeuw left the band. Lieckens returned and New Yorker Eric Grossman was added on bass. Additional dates with Lilith Fair followed in 1999, but momentum had its price. Sarah Bettens, worn out from touring, became ill with mononucleosis. A few months later, a newly rejuvenated K's Choice joined mixer Tchad Blake for 2000's Almost Happy. Previously only available in Europe, Almost Happy appeared in the U.S. in June 2002. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide