Ruben Vanhoutte: "Physical music formats are here to stay. Owning a vinyl record is more than just listening — it’s about emotion, memory, identity"

Ruben Vanhoutte is a musician and founder of Press Forward

Born in 1995, Ruben Vanhoutte is a versatile Belgian artist, excelling as a drummer, musician, musical director, and producer.

Initiating his musical journey at the age of 7 within The Art Factory, the music school established by his parents, Ruben’s passion for his craft propelled him to further his musical education at KASK & Conservatorium / School of Arts Ghent. In 2020, he earned his Master of Arts degree.

Throughout his career, Ruben has actively participated in numerous projects, showcasing his diverse talents and dedication to the world of music and is currenty on tour with Tamino as part of his band.

• You started in music very young, and your parents founded The Art Factory. What are some of your earliest musical memories at home, and how did that environment shape your interest in being a musician?

My dad was a blues guitarist. Some of my first memories are of him playing with his band The Cabs. I joined him countless times at concerts and rehearsals. They even recorded an album — I still remember the cover, the five of them posing proudly. Growing up around that atmosphere made music feel like the most natural thing in the world. When my parents founded The Art Factory - an alternative music school based in Roeselare - I was highly motivated to pick up an instrument. My parents were the biggest supporters. 

• You’re currently on tour as drummer for Tamino, one of the most internationally recognized Belgian artists. How did that relationship start, and what’s it like touring the world with him and the rest of the band?

My story with Tamino began in 2017. He had just won De Nieuwe Lichting and was putting a band together. Pieterjan Maertens — Tamino’s producer and front-of-house engineer — called me one random Sunday asking, “Do you want to play Rock Werchter this summer?” The rest is history. I’m actually writing this on a flight from Istanbul to Ankara — seven years later and still going strong.

• You’ve also played drums for Jaguar Jaguar, Loverman, Portland, Noémie Wolfs, Milow, and many others. Is it easy to balance your work as a musician and as an entrepreneur?

It takes focus to keep everything running smoothly. Luckily, most of my work as a musician starts once the emails are done for the day. Soundchecks usually start around four in the afternoon.

It gets tricky when we’re playing in different time zones, but I actually like staying busy. Having my laptop nearby while on the road helps me stay grounded and sharp.

• You’re the founder of Press Forward, a Belgian company that produces vinyl, CDs, and cassettes. You started it in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic — a tough time for the music industry. How did you come up with the business idea?

It’s fair to say the pandemic really shook me. I’d spent my whole life working towards a music career, and suddenly, it was gone. I’ve always loved vinyl — the analog sound, the artwork, handling the record and putting it on the turntable. 

During COVID, pressing times went up to 6–9 months, and through my connections, I found a way to cut that down to 2 months. Word spread quickly, and before I knew it, I had an alternative income and a new passion project. That’s how Press Forward was born.

• Vinyl sales have been rising again for years, but streaming still dominates. How do you see the future of physical formats?

I think physical formats are here to stay. We’ve reached the peak of convenience — every song ever created is available on the device in your pocket. But because of that, people are starting to miss the physical connection with the music they love.

Owning a vinyl record is more than just listening — it’s about emotion, memory, identity. It’s a conversation piece, a part of who you are. And fun fact: almost half of vinyl buyers don’t even own a record player. It’s not just about playback — it’s about connection.

• You also manage Antwerp singer-songwriter Sam De Nef, who’s currently touring with Tamino as the opening act. How did you meet?

We met a few times at concerts in Belgium. The scene here is small, so everyone kind of knows each other. We started talking more, and eventually began working together. It’s great having him on tour with us now — it all came full circle.

• Belgium is a small country. That helps artists reach people fast, but it can also make it harder to break through. What are your thoughts on the Belgian music scene right now?

Belgium is full of incredible talent — almost too much haha. The problem is that there’s really only one main radio station deciding which artists get big support, and that influences the whole industry — from festivals to booking agencies to labels, etc.

At the same time, we live in an era where attention spans are short and social media moves at lightning speed. Artists are competing for people’s focus more than ever.

• Many Belgian artists debate between singing in English or their native language. Some say English helps them reach a bigger audience, others think it hurts them locally. What’s your take, since most of the artists you work with sing in English?

Singing in English instead of Dutch can definitely open more doors and set you up for an international career. But I think a lot of artists choose English mainly for its aesthetic — the way it sounds — rather than for storytelling.

For me, lyrics are everything, especially in the genres I work in. And I truly believe you can express yourself more deeply in your native language. There’s a certain honesty and nuance that’s hard to translate.

French is a bit of a different story, because the French-speaking market is much larger and more self-sufficient. That’s why most French-speaking artists naturally stay true to their language.

• You’re a musician, manager, entrepreneur, musical director, and producer. Do you find conflict or synergy between these roles? Which one’s the most challenging — and which the most fulfilling?

I see them all as connected. Each role feeds the other — the producer in me helps the drummer think in layers, the manager in me keeps the creative side organized, and the entrepreneur in me makes sure the passion can actually last.

The hardest part is finding mental space for everything without burning out. But when it all clicks — when an idea turns into a record, a show, or a project that really touches people — that’s the best feeling in the world.

• Any dream collaborations, genres you’d like to explore, or roles you haven’t tried yet?

Right now, I’m genuinely happy with where I am. But I’m always curious. I want to keep exploring different corners of the music world. There’s always more to learn, more to create, and more to connect with.

On 31 October Ruben Vanhoutte will play in Forest National as part of Tamino's last European Tour date. The show is currently sold out but you can find some resale tickets here!. Follow Ruben and find out more about his work here.

Visit Press Forward's services in their website: Press Forward - We print your vinyl at the highest quality

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