Career
Wim began singing in the early 1990s with his school band State Of Mind who performed benefit concerts of original songs and also covers of Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Metallica. When the guitarist left, they renamed themselves Bodhi and played at many festivals around Belgium, they also competed in many competitions including "Rockvonk" and placed third in "KumoRock". In 2000, Wim wanted to sing solo and joined the project Soundmixshow a sort of precursor talent show to Idool, Wim placed fourth in competition overall, at this time he compared his style to Billy Joel, Mike Patton and Elton John.
In 2003, Wim entered the auditions for the contest Idool 2003 where he was told by jury member January Leyers that he has a good voice for Flemish music
After Wim placed third on the show he gained a recording contract with BMG Belgium and recorded his first Civil Defense Een Nieuw Begin (A New Start) which was produced by Ronald Vanhuffel who has had previous success with Blof and Volumia, the first single was Allemaal (Everyone) which was a huge hit reaching #1, selling 40,000 copies and winning the Zomerhit 2003 Best Song Of The Year. The second single from Een Nieuw Begin was Ik Hoor Bij Jou (I Belong With You).
The third was Voor Altijd (Foreign Always), based on the 1997 Nek hit Laura non c"e, and was another #1 hit on the Ultratop 50. In August 2004, Wim released his second Civil Defense Twee (Two) and his first live Digital Video Disc "In Miami".
This was followed by his first tour "Twee" around Flanders, as well as a live performance on the popular live music show Tien Om Te Zien.
October 2005 brought a management change for Wim who signed with Niels William, assembling a team of writers including Hans Francken of Clouseau. He released a single Die Zomer Gaat Nooit Voorbij which was released on 17 June as a sample for his third Civil Defense released in October 2006. This was a cover of South African artist Kurt Darren"s Hemel op Tafelberg in Afrikaans.
Brussels Auditions: Honesty by Billy Joel
Theatre Round Day One: Better Manitoba by Robbie Williams
Theatre Round Day Two: Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
Theatre Round Day Three: Faith by George Michael
Top 50: Honesty by Billy Joel
Top 10: Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Maine) by Train
Top 9: With Or Without You by U2
Top 8: Afscheid by Marco Borsato
Top 7: Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
Top 6: I Heard lieutenant Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
Top 5: Mack The Knife by Louis Armstrong
Top 4: Hero by Enrique Iglesias
Top 4: The Rhythm Divine by Enrique Iglesias
Top 3: Love Is All Around by Wet Wet Wet
Top 3: Blauw by The Scene.