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AT THE 25 TH ANNIVERSARY OF EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG: - EUROSONIC IS COMING HOME - HOSTING NATION HOLLAND IS THIS YEAR’S FOCUS COUNTRY By Robbert Tilli

* EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG CONFERENCE JANUARY 12, 13, 14, 15, 2011

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Eurosonic Noorderslag music conference and showcase festival. And after years with interesting focuses on countries such as Italy, Belgium and Norway, finally Eurosonic Noorderslag is coming home. Hosting nation Holland is this year’s focus country. Birthday boy is pushing the boat out with a presentation of a range of great Dutch bands.

Holland’s musical history in a nutshell The topic of the ‘possible existence of a history of Dutch music’ sometimes generates interesting discussions at the bar at the international music conferences. There’s always a group of registrants that starts singing ’s 1972 global monster smash Radar Love straightaway, and there’s that group of hipsters who deliberately start staring ignorantly. ‘Dutch music? Yeah, yeah,’ they say. What’s that? ‘Name a few bands then?’ In recent years we’ve seen a lot of true aficionados of Dutch pop, rock and dance, but also we’ve met the sceptics, who simply denied the existence of such a thing as Dutch music. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, okay, they acknowledge the Dutch masters of painting. But pop, rock, dance? ‘No, never heard of.’ It’s time to prove them wrong. Holland is focus country, and you’ll know it.

To be fair, the awareness of Dutch pop, rock and dance history could do with a little boost. Our British friends like to discuss the quality of Dutch football rather than its rock counterpart. Meanwhile The Dutch prefer to discuss the great quality of the Brits as providers of great music rather than their poor performance at recent World Cups. We are celebrating the 25 th anniversary of Eurosonic Noorderslag, so let’s first have a proper history lesson then.

Fly to the US for SXSW in Austin, , for instance and you’ll soon find out that the memory of Golden Earring is still alive. Rent a car, turn on the radio, and you’ll hear the quintessential Dutch rock song within no time on FM radio. And that’s a fact. Lots of American bands playing in the Dutch clubs like to play the intro of that killer song as a nice little inside joke that they share with their crowds. However, Golden Earring is certainly not Holland’s ‘sole contribution to rock ‘n’ roll.’ Shocking Blue was the first band that hit the top slot in the US with 1970’s Venus . Quentin Tarantino single-handedly revived another Dutch chart topper, Little Green Bag by the for the soundtrack to his classic Pulp Fiction . If that’s not enough to convince all of you of the impact of the Dutch class of 1972, Nike used Focus ’ instrumental rocker Hocus Pocus for its well-targeted World Cup campaign for South Africa 2010, which ended up with the Dutch national team as runners-up. Hocus Pocus, if that isn’t magic, what is?

In 2002 dance producer Junkie XL (alias for Dutchman Tom Holkenborg) was Nike’s target man in the World Cup campaign with his electronic adaptation of Elvis’s (A Little Less) Conversation . Two year’s later DJ Tiësto was the musical director at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Athens. Billions of TV viewers worldwide witnessed his trance music. That year the Olympics were coming home. Now Eurosonic Noorderslag is coming home. The hosting nation is proud of its musical history and wants to create awareness for its living history, today’s bands, singer/ and deejays/producers. It’s a very exciting package.

Before introducing you to today’s sound of the , we’d like you to test your knowledge about the country’s great musical history first. Quickly browsing through the Dutch pop encyclopaedia, we touch up on more golden oldies. Do you remember 1976 global hit Mississippi by Pussycat ? In the summer of ’76 it was at number 1 in the UK during that year’s heat wave. A year later Father Abraham‘s Smurf Song equalled this feat. It also helped the sceptics at the pub discussions about Dutch pop a bit. The last laugh was on the publisher of the song, one of the biggest money-makers in music’s history. The title of the King of Dutch rock is undeniably for the late great Herman Brood , often referred to as Holland’s most credible rocker ever. In Germany the rocker/painter was very popular too. He grabbed the attention with his short-lived marriage with German superstar Nina Hagen. 1978’s Sphritz album is a timeless classic.

Did you know that Volendam is the only village in the country with its own music scene and industry? A band like BZN particularly did very well in the Far East. At SXSW quite often comedy rock band Gruppo Sportivo is still named as a nice little footnote in Dutch pop and rock history. Never underestimate the influence of female saxophone player Candy Dulfer , who is big in Japan. She can also boast being a regular sidekick in the live bands of Van Morrison and Prince. Don’t overlook the impact of ‘90s heroes Urban Dance Squad either, combining rap, rock, soul and experiments. They inspired a band like . Another ‘90s icon guitar-driven pop-band Bettie Serveert is still touring the US every year. Meanwhile ‘70s punk rock survivors The Ex have discovered Africa, while math metallers Textures have put India on their touring map recently. Sleazy rockers Peter Pan Speedrock , back after a sabbatical year, have found a niche market for themselves as well. The Dutch are quite good at heavy rock, especially with a Goth edge. In 2010 supported in both Europe and the US. In 2009 Epica got charted in the album charts in Belgium, Austria, France and Switzerland.

Apart from aforementioned bands, our country has also provided great instrumentalists (e.g. Candy Dulfer), mainly guitarists. Jan Akkerman of Focus was voted The World’s Best Guitarist in the now defunct UK magazine Melody Maker in 1976. And may we remind you that Edward ‘Eddy’ Van Halen , who spanked that plank in Michael Jackson’s Thriller so roughly, is a true Dutchman by birth? Adje Vandenberg made it to lead guitarist of legendary hard rockers Whitesnake, while Arjen Lucassen took his project successfully to Japan. Oh yeah, there’s more than just the Earring.

To stop name-dropping about our stars from the past, let’s look at the export of today. Three names were constantly topping the lists in the first decade of the new millennium. Aforementioned Tïësto is omnipresent. Goth rock band – inspired by fellow countrymen The Gathering - has won the Dutch Export Prize many times. Especially Germany has always been good to them. However, undoubtedly by far the biggest of the lot, is classical violinist André Rieu . He’s the biggest export product coming from Holland, selling out stadiums worldwide. In 2008 he earned €4 million outside of Holland, of which €700.000 in Australia alone.

Of all genres, biggest export product is dance. Tiësto, Armin van Buuren , Ferry Corsten , Sander Kleinenberg and Sander van Doorn are household names in the annual Top 10 of the world’s best DJs. Fedde Le Grand ‘s ( Put Your Hands Up for) Detroit (2007) is a recent global smash hit. In 2009 Sidney Samson enjoyed a number 2 hit single with Riverside in the UK and Australia. Laidback Luke , one of the hardest working DJs in Holland, collaborated with Swedish House Mafia. Operating in-between dance, disco and pop, Kraak & Smaak have toured the US various times. More export is to be expected from ‘big band revivalist with a touch of hip beats’ Caro Emerald , whose debut album Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room has sold in excess of 200.000 at home in the past year. Move over Amy, Caro is on her way with releases in Poland (gold album), UK, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Will she try to invade the Japanese market like jazz pop crooner Wouter Hamel already did before her? All ‘n’ all the Dutch are a significant force on the international music market (including live shows, rights and recordings) as the facts and figures in the boxed information below show.

FACTS AND FIGURES In 2008 copyright body BUMA commissioned the last big export survey. It marked a 15% raise, as compared to the year before. Total value of the export amounted to € 50,2 million. (NB: Big local stars such as Anouk, Marco Borsato, Kane and Ilse DeLange have made their fortune on the domestic market only). Breakdown of Dutch export product:

Live shows: - Dance: €14,5 million, 28,9% - Others, including pop/rock: €12,3 million, 24,5% - Sub total: €26,8 million, 53,4%

Rights: - Copyrights: €8,9 million, 17,8% - Mechanical rights: €3,8 million, 7,6% - Neighbouring eights: €1,8 million, 3,6% - Sub total: €14,6 million, 29,1%

Recordings:

- Dance labels: €3,3 million, 6,5% - Majors: €2,9 million, 5,8% - Others: €2 million, 4% - International signings: €0,6 million, 1,2% - Sub total: €8,8 million, 17,5%

Total: €50,2 million, 100%

Eurosonic Noorderslag: a brief history of 25 years The year 1986 marks the birth of the Noorderslag music conference and showcase festival. In those days it was a Dutch music only showcase festival. In the year of its 10 anniversary a European arm Eurosonic – the European showcase festival - was added. These days it’s all marketed and promoted as one package: Eurosonic Noorderslag .

For those who like a little bit of background though, we take you back in time a bit… Paraphrasing Muddy Water’s The Blues Had A Baby And They Named It Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Noorderslag got a baby and they named it Euroslag (1996). In 1999 it was wisely renamed Eurosonic, because of ‘some weird connotations’ that rather suited the infamous red light district. A Europeans-only daughter was born. Originally it was a one-day showcase event under the Noorderslag moniker. Later it was extended to a three-day festival by adding the Thursday night to the event. These days it carefully starts off on Wednesday Night with the EBBA Awards, hosted by BBC TV personality Jools Holland. This year ‘Mr. Holland in Holland’ will welcome Caro Emerald to the awards show. Emerald will represent her country at the prestigious international event. Effectively, Eurosonic Noorderslag nowadays is a 4-day event, with some clear targets:

* EUROSONIC/NOORDERSLAG CONFERENCE JANUARY 12, 13, 14, 15, 2011 * INCLUDING: 3 DAYS OF EUROSONIC SHOWCASE FESTIVAL, JANUARY 12, 13, 14 * PLUS 1 DAY OF NOORDERSLAG FESTIVAL FEAT. DUTCH MUSIC ONLY, JANUARY 15

You may as well ‘forget’ all this. These days we like to see it as just one big event: the Eurosonic Noorderslag Music Conference and Showcase Festival. Full stop!

The visibility of the Dutch Throughout the years Eurosonic Noorderslag has served as the perfect launching platform for numerous international acts, ranging from the UK to Scandinavia and Belgium among others. Unforgettable border breakers at Eurosonic Noorderslag include the likes of: Kaizers Orchestra (Norway), An Pierlé (Belgium), Libertines (UK), Editors (UK), Raveonettes (Denmark), Wir Sind Helden (Germany), The Ting Tings (UK), Novastar (Belgium), José Gonzalez (Sweden), White Lies (UK). Sarah Bettens (Belgium) and Mando Diao (Sweden).

In recent years Belgium, Norway, Italy have been inspiring focus countries. Now Holland itself is the main provider of bands. Dutch bands that made quite an impact at Eurosonic Noorderslag in previous editions and toured abroad include -tinged pop dance outfit C-mon & Kypski , indie rockers Voicst , Britpop/rock-moulded Moke , rapper Pete Philly & Perquisite and singer/ Lucky Fonz III . Ambitious bands like these quite often played three shows, including a big one at the Noorderslag mother festival on the Saturday night. They are also regulars at the big summer festivals at home such as Pinkpop end Lowlands. C-mon & Kypski and Moke played at the main stage at Pinkpop in 2010. Both bands have also played with the Metropool Orchestra, the public broadcasting orchestra, which is now under threat of budget cuts by the government. The first one at Eurosonic Noorderslag in 2009, the latter at Pinkpop in 2010. Meanwhile Voicst is hibernating. Singer Tjeerd Bomhof will play under the Dazzled Kid nickname at Eurosonic Noorderslag on the Saturday night of Dutch music only. Now, let’s have a closer look on the country focus at Eurosonic Noorderslag. Which bands are on the bill?

NL Focus: Eurosonic Noorderslag is coming home Here we will zoom in at some interesting stuff. Some bands have already received some international recognition. First of all there’s Alamo Race Track , ready to release its third album. The indie band, signed to the renowned Excelsior label, picked up a French deal with Fargo Records due to its great live show at SXSW in 2003. Their label mates Moss , for years a sleeping giant, have finally woken up to a great reception by both the media and the punters. Their Never Be Scared/Don't Be A Hero CD got the best reviews thinkable. Rest assured, bandleader Marien Dorleijn, is determined to stay. Moss is also one of the bands supported by musicXport.nl (MXP), effectively the Dutch Export office, a joint venture between Buma Cultuur and Music Centre The (MCN). The MXP collaboration of a decade will expire soon (to be continued under the MCN MXP flag). rockers are another MXP band that has already made some inroads in territories like the UK and Scandinavia. Equally powerful are punk rockers Antillectual . More traditional is ‘70s rock inspired teenage band DeWolff , with its huge Hammond sound. Another teenage band is Daily Bread . Again signed by Excelsior, these youngsters – in October 2010 featured at CMJ – are a modern rock band with a touch of Brooklyn. The third teenage band is Death Letters , Holland’s answer to ‘White Stripy’ blues-rock. Their upcoming second album they recorded in the lion’s den in Austin.

De Staat (once more an Excelsior band) rawks like f*ck in a QOTSA fashion. Folk and Americana bands are the new hip currently. Tim Knol , also part of the Excelsior roster, is the urban cowboy who is most steady in the saddle. Gram Parsons and Ryan Adams are his main sources of inspiration. His label mate Awkward I is a typical new folkie with very precious music. Along the same lines Moke drummer Rob Klerkx is active as singer/songwriter Klerkx . The Dutch folk movement is spearheaded by The Black Atlantic , a band that tours the US most frequently. Being half Dutch, half American, singer/songwriter Laura Jansen , of course plays in the US a lot. Her cover version of Kings Of Leons’s Use Somebody has been a huge chart hit in the Netherlands. The girls department at Eurosonic Noorderslag is further completed by cabaret/pop artist Wende and Lilian Hak , who cuts up old films noire and creates new big band music with it. Both Wende and Lilian featuring a true B52 hairdo are quite a spectacular sight with their stage acts.

More visibility @ Eurosonic Noorderslag Like pop rock festivals Pinkpop, Lowlands, dance festival Sensation, the Amsterdam Dance Event and Eurosonic Noorderslag music conference and showcase festival is a strong brand name. The focus country itself – this time home nation Holland – will do its utmost to create top visibility.

Registrants arriving at the Central station will be grabbed immediately by the unavoidable presence of, well, Holland… First getting out of the train, they will practically stumble over the orange information boot at the station. The people will see orange of enthusiasm getting a cab. Orange bike taxis will dominate the Groningen streets. There will also be living orange listening posts in the streets. There’s no escaping to the Dutch, we’re afraid. Having breakfast, lunch or dinner, the placemats in the restaurants and hotels will show the time schedules of all Dutch bands featured at the event, of course in our national colour: orange. Trade dinners in the evening will be predominately orange- coloured too. Holland is dead serious about its status of focus country at the 25 th anniversary of the Eurosonic Noorderslag music conference and showcase festival. Unlike the World Cup, this time we’ll go for number 1 again, just like the Golden Earring back in time.

The Focus on the Netherlands will be promoted as Dutch Impact prior and during Eurosonic Noorderslag. For more info check www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl and www.dutch-impact.com (online from December 1st onwards).