Dutch singer Dotan is strongly rumoured to be under serious consideration to represent the Netherlands in 2016. National broadcaster AvroTros aren’t saying anything but it seems that Dotan is top of their list.
The hugely successful singer-songwriter was previously rumoured to be the Dutch representative for Vienna, until Trijntje was announced. Other artists rumoured for the Netherlands include Alain Clark and Caro Emerald, but once again the buzz around Dotan is strongest.
AvroTros are rumoured to be officially revealing their 2016 representative in October.
Who is Dotan?
Dotan Harpenau is a 28-year-old singer-songwriter. Born in Jerusalem, he is the youngest son of the Dutch writer and painter Patty Harpenau. Dotan’s musical career started in 2010 when he signed a contract with EMI and recorded his debut album in Los Angeles. That album earned him the 3FM Serious Talent Award.
His big breakthrough came last year with his album 7 Layers and his double-platinum international hit single “Home”. He’s been nominated for the MTV EMAs 2016 award for Best Dutch Act, and later this year he will open for American musician Ben Folds on his US tour.
What do you think of Dotan representing The Netherlands in Vienna? Can he give the Netherlands their fifth victory?
I love Dotan, and I’m sure that if he would get a great song and make a good performance of it, there’s nothing stopping him.
Omg I really hope this is true, I will keep my fingers crossed!
Wouldn’t be against Dotan representing.
I’d love to see Natalie La Rose too, but I think she’s pretty focused on her career in the American music scene.
No. OG3NE or Natalie La Rose would be better!
This will be very interesting. He was touted for this year’s ESC, but they decided on Trijntje. Will they stay with Dotan this time, or will they once again go in another direction? “Home” does sound good…
…But my prime pick for 2016 is the band Kensington, because the material on their album ‘Rivals’ really sounds like a winner to me, and a rock band is long overdue to win another one.
???? Hope this is true!!! Love that kind of music ????
I am Dutch and i really, really, really hope Dotan will represent my country. He is faboulous, a good songwriter and has great live vocals. I really want our country to win, i want to know how it is. I am only 11 and started watching (Junior) Eurovision since 2012 🙂
dotan + a good song and staging= a win!
he has great stage presence. sounds like an excellent choice. 🙂
He kinda looks like Aram MP3 without the bags under his eyes
I think this could put the netherlands again on esc final! This is a good song and I hope they make a right choice!
mhhh this smell like a victory on esc 2016
@mariovision They’ve only been doing that for three years now, and two of those three years they made the final (last year they even nearly won). Before that, they didn’t make the final for about 10 years. Many is the time the Dutch voting public clearly chose the wrong song for Eurovision, so maybe this is the only way that works. The idea is that if you pick a quality artist and let them do their thing, they’ll at least come up with a quality song and performance. Last year is the first time this went pear shaped, with both… Read more »
I hope Dotan does represent the Netherlands. Home is an amazing track. A powerful folksy number like Home will do so well if my prediction of a lot of pop comes true.