With An Artisan’s Exhibition, D’ort released a brand-new album last month. Not just a collection of tracks, but a project with a clear vision: using frenchcore as a way to convey emotion and tell a story. While many artists focus on standalone releases, D’ort sees an album as something that should offer more. “Why are these tracks one whole? Why do they belong together? There has to be meaning behind that for me. Otherwise, it kind of defeats the whole purpose of an album.”
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An exhibition where the listener takes center stage
That philosophy is also reflected in the album title. Every word was chosen deliberately. Speaking about Exhibition, he explains: “When you go to an art gallery, you look at a piece of work and decide for yourself what it means to you. The importance lies with the observer, not the creator.”
Both Artisan and An were chosen with purpose as well. “I do this out of love for the craft, not because it sells well or sounds catchy,” he says. “I’m an artisan, not the artisan. It’s not about me.”
From isolation to acceptance
That narrative runs throughout the album: from the feeling of being shut out on ‘Locked Away’, to heartbreak on ‘Broken’ and hopelessness on ‘Hopeless’. Later, sadness transforms into anger on tracks like ‘Belial’s Call’ and ‘JKM’. “Sadness can turn into anger too. At some point it just becomes aggression. I’m done being sad,” he explains.
Through ‘Silent Tears’ and ‘The Escape’, the album moves into reflection. “You start realizing that maybe it was more of an escape from those feelings instead of actually facing them.” Towards ‘Cerridwen’s Song’ and ‘A Final Wish’, the project shifts into acceptance.
The message he wants to share is clear: “We all deal with our own shit,” he says. “It’s not like screaming it from the rooftops suddenly solves your problems. I think we should look at it a bit more soberly, instead of turning it into some kind of competition about who has it worse.”
“Precisely because that kick hits so hard”
D’ort intentionally tells that story through frenchcore, a genre often associated with pure energy and speed. “It’s hardcore music. Going crazy at a festival is just awesome,” he says. “But precisely because that kick hits so hard, there’s also so much room within it.”
He uses that contrast to his advantage. “If you move extremely far to one side, you automatically create space on the other side. And using and combining that space is what creates new sounds.”
‘Dear Warriors’: from Defqon.1 to epilogue
The closing track ‘Dear Warriors’ has a special history. It was originally created for his Defqon.1 debut in 2025. “I really wanted to make a track that tells a message,” D’ort explains. “Like: this is my journey, and thank you all for wanting to be part of it.”
During that set, 300 cards featuring an exclusive QR code were handed out to the crowd. “If you have that card, you have the track. And if you don’t, you’ll never get it.”
For the album, however, ‘Dear Warriors’ eventually took on a different role. “I changed certain themes to use it more as the epilogue to the album,” he explains. “It’s the same track, but with a different message.”
Live exhibition
On May 16, D’ort will bring An Artisan’s Exhibition live to MEZZ Breda. According to him, it won’t be a standard frenchcore night, but a complete experience built around the album. “We’re turning it into a sort of boiler room setup, so it becomes really intimate,” he says. “Really together with the fans.”
Several tracks from the album will be played live for the very first time there. In addition, he’ll perform a throwback set focused on his first album from 2022, there will be support acts from rising frenchcore talents, and exclusive merchandise will be available. D’ort also hints at more to come within the same concept. “The exhibition isn’t over yet. There’s definitely more coming.”
“I think it’s going to be one of the most unique frenchcore sets in a long time”
Following the album show, D’ort is set to perform this summer at Defqon.1, Dominator and Titanium. At Defqon.1, he’ll play a back-to-back set with The Sickest Squad. “I think it’s going to be one of the most unique frenchcore sets in a long time,” he says. “They’re huge oldschool legends, while I’m completely on the newschool side.”
He’s also already working on new music and collaborations. “For the people thinking I’m going to slow down now: absolutely not. We’ve already been working on new things for a while.”
Footage via: D’ort
