MISCHA DIRKSEN

ABOUT

Mischa is a producer, composer, engineer and mixer from Utrecht (The Netherlands). He started his professional career as a touring musician, and has studied creative producing at Codarts conservatory in Rotterdam. He has his own studio in Utrecht, from where he composed and produced dozens of releases and millions of streams. His credits include Metejoor’s single ‘Dit Is Wat Mijn Mama Zei’ which came in #1 in the Belgian Ultratop, and Benjamin’s single ‘Donkerblauw’ which was released on Noah’s Ark.

FINGASMITH

ABOUT

Fingasmith is the alias of 27 year old songwriter and producer Kevin van der Tholen. His sound and skills move through multiple genres such as pop and hip hop, but always with the common ground that everything he does has his distinctive kind of edge to it. Aside from writing and producing for others he has his own artist project: Arkayne, where he sings, produces and writes more dance focussed music.

He recently entered the Dutch scene by producing for artists as Benjamin Ruben and Luna Morgenstern. Now he is producing and writing for some different cool upcoming talents in the Dutch pop scene, so keep your ears open for the Fingasmith edge.

BENJAMIN

ABOUT

Benjamin is een Nederlandstalige artiest uit Amsterdam die zich laat inspireren door romantiek, intermenselijke communicatie en persoonlijke gebeurtenissen, locaties en gesprekken. Deze inspiratie smelt hij als sociaal observator om tot intieme, verhalende popliedjes voorzien van een verfrissend authentiek aura. Met twee psychologen als ouders is het niet verwonderlijk dat zijn muziek tevens raakt aan thema’s als zelfbeeld, relaties en (het overkomen van) depressie. Benjamin is altijd op zoek naar de schuine blik op de werkelijkheid, de vertaling van gevoel naar muziek en het leggen van een connectie met zijn luisteraars. Als zanger deelt hij een tekstuele focus en recht-toe-recht-aan benadering met de rappende collega’s van zijn label Noah’s Ark.

PHILINE

ABOUT

This year Philine opened shows for, among others, Froukje, Maaike Ouboter and Matt Simons and toured with her band as 3voor12 Talent through the Netherlands with the Popronde. With her music inspired by artists such as Holly Humberstone, The War On Drugs and Phoebe Bridgers, her clear high-pitched voice and sincere lyrics, Philine leaves an impression.

LUKAZ

ABOUT

Amsterdam-based producer Lukaz writes, produces and plays keys for many of today’s (Dutch) pop artists, both up-and-coming and established ones. With a solid background in classical training on piano and organ, he’s specialized in producing modern pop, dance and hip hop with refreshing progressions. His extensive/multifaceted skillset, workflow and international sound make him a great asset for both writing sessions and productions. To his list of achievements belong among others the Dutch entry for Eurovision 2023 with Dion Cooper & Mia Nicolai, and hit song ‘Zo Kan Het Dus Ook’ by Maan, which received a double platinum status and a BUMA award.

NICOLAAS

ABOUT

Nicolaas (formerly Nils Käller) was launched into the music industry at the age of twelve as part of the Dutch boy band “Mainstreet”. When the boy band hype really took off in 2013, the guys from Mainstreet were at the forefront of the madness and hysteria that came with it. After five years, Nicolaas and band members Rein, Owen and Daan decided that it was enough and quit Mainstreet.

After a year of fully focussing on producing music and studying at the Conservatory, Nicolaas decided to stop music indefinitely. “After the madness of Mainstreet, which I ended up in as a young, ignorant kid, I wanted to get on with it right away by doing as much as possible in music. In the end, I was just drained and couldn’t see the fun anymore. I then started looking for that energy in other things such as parties and eventually that led to a downward spiral and things got worse and worse. ”

After a year of silence, Nicolaas decided to start working on new songs. “At first I just wanted to make music again, without deadlines and pressure. During the first lockdown, I was able to work on my songs in peace and quiet in my studio in my student room”. Between those songs was the debut single ‘No Plans No Friends’, a cheerful and summery record that was released in June this year.

“I see this as a fresh start, both in the artistic field and in the career field. It feels like I am starting over and although it is exciting it gives me more energy than ever”. The second single “Good As Gold” is about the preliminary stage of a relationship in which you are both still discovering everything and that can be quite overwhelming at times.

BRAM WESDORP

ABOUT

Bram Wesdorp is a producer and songwriter from Amsterdam. He graduated from the Pop Department of the Conservatory of Amsterdam and has more than 20 years of experience in pop music. Graduated as a singer, he also plays guitar, bass and keys, and played with various bands in every imaginable hall in the Netherlands. Bram has been signed to Universal Music Publishing and The Missing Sync as a songwriter/composer since 2016, and has collaborated with countless artists, producers, singers and DJs, nationally and internationally. As a versatile musical centipede, he has released work in various roles (producer, singer, writer, instrumentalist) and realized millions of streams.

MELLE

ABOUT

His story begins from the moment you hear the first sounds. Melle takes you into his songs by telling his story with passion and love and making the magic of music audible. His music has an organic sound and often a comforting message. With inspirations such as Tom Odell, Ruben Hein, The Beatles and Phoebe Bridgers, Melle is stimulated to make new music. This translates into small, emotional songs but also explosive band numbers.

Melle is proud owner of a collection of special instruments that he also likes to use in his music. Since this year, he has also shown these instruments and his own writing process to his fans in the series ‘Melle’s Instruments’, which can be found on YouTube and his Instagram.