Kaat Van Stralen refuses to be boxed in. What started as an original solo project evolved into a genre-defying punk band, joined by Melvin Slabbinck (drums), Anton Robberechts (guitar), and Faust De Vogelaere (bass), with Kaat herself on vocals.
Strict but fair, Kaat calls every genre to account. From punk and psychedelia to alternative spoken word, expect heated linguistic clashes, crackling beats, biting guitar riffs, and booming basslines.
Kaat Van Stralen won Sound Track Vlaams-Brabant 2023, the stage and development trajectory organized by VI.BE and Het Depot. They were subsequently selected by Het Depot as an artist in residence.
In early 2025, Kaat Van Stralen released their debut single Stop Met Wenen (“Stop Crying”), a punk rock anthem for women, outsiders, and feelers everywhere. The track earned them victory in De Nieuwe Lichting by Studio Brussel. In November 2025, they released their debut EP *Vieze Vlinder* (“Dirty Butterfly”). Drawing inspiration from the likes of Amyl & The Sniffers, Wet Leg, and Fiona Apple — but translated into their own idiosyncratic Flemish voice — Kaat made an instant impact. Stop Met Wenen marked their major breakthrough: within a month, Kaat appeared on De Afspraak (VRT1), became a hotshot on Studio Brussel, held the #1 position on De Afrekening for three consecutive weeks, featured on the cover of Focus Knack alongside Uwase and Alice Mae, and was prominently featured on Studio Brussel’s Popcast.
The impact did not go unnoticed. Humo called Stop Met Wenen “the most important Belgian song in years,” while De Standaard reported on the track going viral on TikTok, where young women lip-synced the song while defiantly staring into the camera.
Last summer, Kaat Van Stralen played over 25 shows, with standout performances at Pukkelpop, Lokerse Feesten, Best Kept Secret, BOOMTOWN, and Crammerock. In addition to their own set at Pukkelpop, they performed Stop Met Wenen alongside The Atomic Orchestra.
In the autumn of 2026, Kaat Van Stralen appeared on the television show *De Slimste Mens ter Wereld* (PLAY). The crowning achievement of their year followed during the Week of Belgian Music, when they received their first MIA award in the “Alternative” category.
