Exqueezit is a balfolk duo consisting of Bert Leemans (chromatic button accordion) and Erik de Jong (piano accordion).

Bert (known from projects such as EmBRUN, Triple-X, Laouen and Airboxes) and Erik (known from The Assasenachs, Itchy Fingers and the Gonnagles) first met in 2006 at the Vliers music stage on the island of Texel. There, Bert introduced Erik to the finer points of playing balfolk music.

When Bert began spending more time in the north of the Netherlands in 2018, the two met again at Irish Pub O’Ceallaigh in Groningen. It soon became clear that they greatly enjoyed playing together. This led to the idea of performing as a duo at the 15th anniversary of Balfolk at Café Wilhelmina in Eindhoven in December 2018. Half a year later, this was repeated at the Elf Fantasy Fair Haarzuilens 2019, and thus Exqueezit was born.

With mutual respect for each other’s musical background and playing style (Erik leaning more towards Irish/Scottish traditions and Bert towards balfolk), Bert and Erik create wonderful balfolk music with both Franco-Flemish and Celtic influences. Whether you dance or simply listen, it is guaranteed enjoyment.