The talented singer-songwriter, who was born in 1970, spent his childhood and adolescent years growing up in the Paris suburbs. A precocious musician and performer, Mathieu began playing the organ at 10 years old. At 12, he was trying his hand on his first drum kit; and the following year, the enthusiastic musician had set up a band. At the age of 17, he also started playing the bass, adding another instrument to his already impressive musical credit.

Mathieu was not in thrall to any particular musical influences, preferring to develop his own original style, but he was a passionate fan of Bob Marley and the Dutch-born singer Dick Annegarn. Shortly after leaving school, Mathieu decided it was time to broaden his horizons and set off on a round-the-world trip. Mathieu would end up spending most of this trip in Africa and during a 6-month stay in Kenya he began to try his hand at songwriting. One of the very first songs he composed was "Ondulé", which contained all the elements of the future Boogaerts style - swinging rhythm, minimalist arrangements and upbeat lyrics.

On his return to Paris Mathieu got together with a group of friends and began shooting a highly innovative video clip based around the song "Ondulé". The video, produced by Emilie Chédid (daughter of the well-known French singer Louis Chédid), showed a laid-back Boogaerts sitting in a barber's chair having his hair cut and his beard shaved off. Boogaerts's original new sound immediately caught the attention of a talent scout and the singer was soon offered a recording contract with the Remark label.

Shortly after signing this contract, Boogaerts went into the studio to begin work on his début album entitled "Super". This innovative first album, released at the start of 96, was highly acclaimed by French music critics, several of whom began comparing Boogaerts's pure, minimalist style to the work of Dominique A. While Boogaerts and Dominique A certainly displayed several similarities in their musical style, Boogaerts lyrics were far more upbeat and optimistic than Dominique A's dark, haunting songs.

Following the release of his first album, Mathieu Boogaerts went on to perform a series of concerts, appearing on stage alone with just the simple backing of his guitar. Yet as time went on Boogaerts became more interested in performing with a group and his later concerts featured a bass-player, a keyboard-player and the well-known drummer Tony Allen (who had established an excellent reputation working with the Nigerian star Fela).

Boogaerts was now getting to be a well-known name on the French music scene and on 25 May 1996 he appeared with his trio of musicians at the Casino de Paris. The following autumn he went on to play at another famous Paris venue, Le Bataclan. Meanwhile Boogaerts's song "Ondulé" went on to prove a great hit on French FM radio stations and the young singer was soon inundated with calls requesting him to perform at all the top music festivals.

In September 1996 Boogaerts set off on an extensive European tour, playing 40 concerts in France, Belgium and Switzerland. The singer then flew off to Japan, where his minimalist French style proved an enormous hit with Japanese teenagers.

One of the greatest highlights of Mathieu Boogaerts's career to date was undoubtedly his tour with his childhood idol Dick Anegnarn (the Dutch-born singer who has been adopted as an honorary member of the French music scene). Boogaerts and Annegarn appeared on stage together in June 1997, accompanying themselves on the guitar and alternating solo performances of their best-known songs. Their exuberant double act proved a great success and the pair brought the house down wherever they played.

Other memorable moments of Boogaerts's career include his appearance at the Francofolies music festival in La Rochelle (in July 1997) and his impressive performance at the Spa music festival in Belgium.

Boogaerts continued to devote much of his time and energy to songwiting, and by 1998, the young singer was ready to return to the studio and begin working on his second album. Boogaerts flew out to Sweden to record the album "J'en ai marre d'être deux" in the Tambourine Studios (in Malmö), working with the Cardigans's famous sound engineer Tore Johanson. "Comment tu t'appelles", which was chosen as the first single release, continued in the intimate/minimalist vein for which Boogaerts was best known. With its light, airy style and its mix of naïve poetry and childlike rhymes, the album "J'en ai marre d'être deux" also scored a big hit with fans and critics alike.

Shortly after the release of his second album, Boogaerts found his contract terminated with his record label and the young 'minimalist' star disappeared from the music news for a while. Boogaerts re-emerged on the French music scene at the beginning of 2002, however, appearing at "Les Jeux" festival and playing a series of concerts at small-scale Parisian venue Le Sentier des Halles. His new songs went down a storm with local audiences, proving that the quirky French 'minimalist' had not been forgotten. Following his on-stage success at le Sentier des Halles, Boogaerts is currently working on a new album (due to be released later this year).

Boogaerts, who has always appreciated coming into direct contact with his public, hit the road again soon afterwards.

In October 2003, Dick Annegarn’s ‘disciple’ went on to release his first DVD. Entitled simply "Mathieu Boogaerts en concert solo," the DVD featured 14 songs recorded live during the tour of the same name. Boogaerts performed the grand finale of this tour on 1 December 2003 after bringing the house down at the Trianon de Paris.

The end of 2003 proved to be an eventful period for Boogaerts. On 16 December, the singer won the “Prix Variété 2003” (awarded by the Diane & Lucien Barrière Foundation) for his third album, "2000."

After taking a much-deserved break to recharge his batteries, Boogaerts headed back into the studio in mid-September 2004.

"Michel" was released in 2005. This time the singer travelled to two European cities, Barcelona and Berlin, in search of inspiration. Still working within a minimalist framework, Mathieu Boogaerts offers up a selection of subtle songs, occasionally veering towards the childish ("Appelez les pompiers") or the melancholy ("J'sais pas ou t’es parti"). A new tour included dates at the Cigale in Paris (24-25 May).

May 2005