Regi from Milk Inc. can’t without his father
"Thanks to my father, I'm a international popstar." After his parents divorce, Regi (26) was alloted to his father Jean (58). He gave up his job in education to protect his only son from the dangers of showbizz and he got into the musicworld himself
The success story of Milk Inc. is known by everybody. Together with singer Linda Mertens, they score all the time with their very nice dance songs, like "Land Of The Living" and "Sleepwalker". Even in countries like Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and the UK, Milk Inc. has grown as a well known group. Behind the scenes, Jean takes care for the financial matters. But he also travels around the world as tourmanager of Sylver, the danceduo Silvy De Bie and Wout Van Dessel, also produced by Regi. "I'm just like my father", says Regi when we finally succeeded to get them together for this interview. "My father directed theater plays and he was also teacher 'Expression'. His second occupation was fiscal advice. Because of him, I went to the theater school and musicschool when I was very young. My mother isn't musical at all, so I know from who I inherited my talents
Jean, did you stimulate your son to use his talents completely?
Jean: At home, we had a guitare. And little Regi always went to theater with me. When I noticed that he had the same interests as me, I made sure he could go to the musicschool sooner. He was only 6 and learned to read the alphabet and music notes at the same time.
Regi: I wasn't only the youngest at the musicacademy, but I turned to be also the youngest producer in the charts. I'm only 26, but I can already say that I'm a professional in the Belgian showbusiness
Did you had another future for Regi in your mind, Jean?
Jean: It doesn't matter to me what Regi does to make his living, as long as he's happy.
Regi is also very interested in electronics since he was very young. When he was 12, he already joined the computerclub at Genk. Afther highschool, he studied Telecommunication-Electronics at Diepenbeek. That was important to me. A good base is always good
Regi is also very interested in electronics since he was very young. When he was 12, he already joined the computerclub at Genk. Afther highschool, he studied Telecommunication-Electronics at Diepenbeek. That was important to me. A good base is always good
Were there many arguements at home, for example when Regi was playing his music too loud?
Regi: I never felt a generation gap, we differ more then 32 years. I consider him mainly as my friend. We didn't argue much. I am only child, an advantage. My parents are modern people. When it was obvious that I was going to do electronical music instead of classical music, they supported me completely, also financially. You can't make electronical music without the right equipement. I received those devices when I had good grades at school
Were Regi's grades always good??
Jean: We had never a reason to complain. He didn't had to do much for his grades. On that level, he's just like me. When I was at bording school, I throwed my satchel in a corner when the weekend started. I opened it back again on mondays
Wasn't it a shock when Regi chose for Dance Music?
Jean: On the contrary. I was also reasonably alternative. At school, I belonged to the hardrockers
Did you believe in Milk Inc. from the start?
Jean: I was quite confident. I knew that my son would be for 100% behind his music. Besides, that artistic part is in our genes. My grandfather on my mothers side was a violinbuilder, my other grandfather was a farmer, but he was nevertheless called out to be the best amateur play actor from Brussels
Was there any panic when the success broke through at the moment Regi was still at school?
Jean: Was there any panic when the success broke through at the moment Regi was still at school?
Regi: When I was at university, we had to perform on saturday in Portugal, the next monday, I had to take an exam. I drove to the airport with my course. I even studied on the plain and after the performance near the pool. And I passed the exam. I didn't want to fail for my parents. I graduated with distinction. But I never went to collect my diploma
What is your current personal involveness in the story of Milk Inc., Jean?
Jean: I was present with the first negociations at the record company. Up until now, I always succeeded to protect Regi from the many traps in the showbizzworld. When I'm on tour with Sylver, I always make extra promotion for Milk Inc.. My son is well on financial base, and I'm sure that's because of me. Don't underestimate it: if they see here in Belgium that you earn some money, there will be all kinds of authorities at your door to claim a part of the money. I only take care that these claims are reduced to a minimum, on a legal way.
Regi: Some time ago, a top 100 of the richest people in Belgium was published. The title said:'We didn't find anything from Milk Inc.'. That's the way it should be, thanks dad! I'm only on the 288th place, but you have to admit, that isn't bad! I'm very happy to have Jean for personal reasons but also for my accountancy and business level
In the meanwhile, you have earned your living in the music industry, Jean. Did Regi get you so far?
Jean: In the beginning of Milk Inc., we were all the time abroad together. Now I know everything about that. When Regi started Syver and he noticed that Silvy and Wout hadn't any international experiences, he came knocking on my door. But I actually know why, to be modest. They can't fool me. Like this, everything stays in the family
Wasn't it a big decision when you gave up your job to go with Sylver on tour?
Jean: After a while, I only gave a few hours classes and I know that if I want to, I can teach again
Are you often home together?
Regi: No. And when I'm in Limburg, I'm always in my studio. But we found something to change that. If Milk Inc. is in Spain at the same time as Sylver, than we meet somewhere. There was a time I saw my father more on the road than at home. It's really nice that our two dance groups are so successfull abroad
But why doesn't Jean tour with Milk Inc.?
Regi: I can get mad at the people with who we work together now. I couldn't shout at my dad, even if it's necessary sometimes
You both have a girlfriend. What do they say when you are so often abroad?
Jean: My girlfriend works in the hotel and catering industry. She works when I'm working. 13 years ago, Regi's mother and I separated. Regi was assigned to me by court, but that hadn't any influence on him. His mother and I choose for a kind of co-parenting. I did raise my son on my own since he was about 10 years old. And we travelled all of the world together.
Regi: My girlfriend (K3-singer Karen Damen, nvdr) [Edit by RP.Be: this relationship has ended] is also very busy, everybody knows that. Last summer, she stayed weeks in the netherlands, while Milk Inc. was touring across the UK. Everytime we are separated for so long, we long for eachother. That keeps our relationship interesting. If we would be together all day, I would get bored