Artists you should know (part 1)

My English friend asked me when Trijntje Oosterhuis performs again (in 2008 Cosmo Polite was invited to a surprise concert of hers). My Southafrican friend had to tell me that Caro Emerald is Dutch! Dutch Esmee Denters, the YouTube girl discovered by Justin Timberlake, was mistaken for a California girl by a Cosmo Polite Member. In short, it’s time for an update about Dutch music talents who perform in English.

Part 1: Settled Dutch Artists (this post)
Part 2: New Dutch Talents

Trijntje Oosterhuis has been a Dutch topvocalist for over a decades. She started off with her brother forming the pop band Total Touch. Their debut album released in 1996 went straight to Platinum. In 2001, Trijntje went solo and has performed with Queen, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, Coolio and many other big names. Trijntje has a preference for jazz over pop and her second jazz album called The Look Of Love (Burt Bacharach Songbook) was recorded with Burt Bacharach, who plays the piano on a two tracks[4] and was released November 20, 2006. The new album was certified Platinum on the day of release.



Formed in 1996, Within Temptation released their debut album Enter through Dutch indie label DSFA the following April. The album saw the band playing gigs across the continent, firmly cementing their phenomenal live reputation – most notably two appearances at the legendary Dynamo festival (in both 1997 and then on the main stage in 1998). Fast-forward ten years and Within Temptation is an international success, with over 2 million CDs and DVDs sold world-wide, making them not only Holland’s biggest selling musical export but also one of the fastest growing new rock acts internationally. Source: http://en.within-temptation.com/



Anouk is a Dutch singer from rock-city The Hague. Since 1997, she has released ten pop-rock albums. Anouk was discovered by Barry Hay from the Golden Earring. a very popular rock band from the 80s. In 1997 she released the single Nobody's Wife, her most successful international hit. Her debut album, Together Alone also turned out to be a huge success. Anouk has grown from a ‘rebellious rock chick’ from the 90s to an all round performer with mature sound.



Kane was founded in 1998 in The Hague as a U2-inspired guitar-rock group consisting of three guys. A year later, their ebut single Where do I go Now was an instant hit, as did the albums they produced ever since. Ten years later, the band experimented with electronic music and recorded an album in the STates. Though international success is still a dream not (yet) come true, the band keeps ruling the Dutch charts and women’s hearts.



Ilse DeLange was the Dutch version of Martina McBride during the 90s when she was recording with Warner Brothers in Nashville. Since 2000, Ilse changed her sound, band and record label to gain a more ‘pop’ image and she has reigned the Dutch pop charts ever since.



Di-rect was founded in rock-city The Hague in 1999. The band of four teenagers gained national fame by performing at Kane’s concerts (see above). DI-RECT releases their debut single ‘Just the way I do’ which entered all major airplay lists. The follow up My Generation is even more successful, a skatepunk version of the legendary The Who-classic, edited in DI-RECT style. Up until now, they’ve made 6 successful albums. At the end of 2009, the lead singer chose to focus on his solo singer-songwriter career. The remaining three band members found a replacement for him via a talent search fully broadcasted on TV.