Music Was my First Love...

I have always been a music freak.  As early as music class was available in school, I was apart of  it.  Apart from the mandatory choir, we had the unique chance to learn a string instrument in grade 5-6 (I chose violin).  In grade 7 we were able to chose to a brass or woodwind instrument and so not only I chose the clarinet but my mother (with stars in her eyes) ran out and bought me one just knowing that I was going ALL the way.  Through high school I continued playing clarinet but really fell in love with the bass clarinet which I played in the concert band.  I also took advantage of learning a few other instruments; the flute, the trombone, and the alto saxophone (which I wish I went further with). While I was taking in all of my music lessons, what else could I do but... take more lessons!  I was also taking private vocal lessons to get my Royal Conservative Music grades.  I managed to get my grade 9 in singing and grade 3 in theory.  Dont ask where my voice went - I think I left it somewhere in one of the music halls because I certainly don't have it with me any more.

One of the things that really attracted me to my husband was his true love for music and vice versa.  His hobby was/is making his own trance music - I don't love trance but I love his work.


When I first moved to the Netherlands, I was very biased about music. There was no way I was going to like the music nearly as much as I like my North American/English music.  Slowly as the years went by the Dutch music worked it's way into my heart.  How could it not?  There are so many talented artists in this small country it really astonishes me.
Some of my personal favourite artists (in no particular order) are:

Anouk - Not just this song - all of her songs.  Is it me or does this woman get more beautiful as she ages?
   


Racoon - When I heard this group I couldn't believe they were Dutch - I really thought they were American!  I love their sound!




Krezip - Another group where I love almost all of their songs.

Bløf - For a Dutch singer, I really do like his sound!

There are quite a few more artists I sincerely enjoy but I do have to stop somewhere.
This country certainly did surprise me with their talent.