We’ve barely recovered from Salvador’s spectacular victory in Kiyv and the fact that we finally get to go to Portugal to celebrate Eurovision. But there’s no rest to be had, as countries are already contemplating their contestants for Eurovision 2018. As ever the Dutch rumour mill is warming up and suggests that AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster, might have its eyes set on Alain Clark for Eurovision.
Rumours about the Dutch pop/RnB artist were already circulating in 2015. And on Monday did little to extinguish the chatter in an interview with the web magazine NU.nl. He said:
“I am always available for the Eurovision Song Contest, although for me the emphasis right now is on my new album. But if they want me, they have my number.”
WHO IS ALAIN CLARK?
Alain wrote and produced his self-titled debut album, which dropped in 2004. He made a major breakthrough with his single “Heerlijk” (Delicious). It lived up to its title, reaching #22 on the Dutch Top 40.
Subsequent hits included “Father & Friend,” which reached #2 in Holland in 2008, and “This Ain’t Gonna Work”, which reached #3 in 2007.
He’s not completely foreign to the Eurovision world. In 2012 he helped write and compose “Take Me As I Am,” which Ivan Peroti sang in the Dutch national final, and last summer he took the stage along with the O’G3NE sisters at the Dutch Europride concerts and sang the beautiful “Change Will Come”.
For the past two and a half years, Alain has been living in LA, working on his new and upcoming album, the result of signing a contract with Concord Music. As well as working on his own material, with his newest single “Kiss Me” being released on June 2, Alain has also collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber.
What do you think about the rumour? Are you hoping it’s true? Will Alain Clark follow in the footsteps of his friends from O’G3NE? Let us know below!
Read more Netherlands Eurovision news
I enjoy a lot of Alain Clark’s stuff, like Blow Me Away, This Ain’t Gonna Work and Live It Out. I find a handful of his songs a little on the saccharine side (like the one he wrote for Ivan Perotti in 2012), but I’d be happy to see him at the contest, and think he’d get a good result with something like Foxy Lady;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrn3wNEi9PI
I just want Within Temptation to represent…. but I think they already said no.
As for Alain… if he gets to write his own stuff, I’m in. No Ronnie Flex or something like that please, I think it is too Dutch (and hurts my ears personally).
Sharon Doorson in collaboration with a major DJ would be great, fun, a partysong, and a European hit.
Yup…Within Temptation said no…
…But would Sharon den Adel do it as a solo artist, or in collaboration with someone else
They should call Natalie La Rose to serve us that BOP. Esmée Denters would do too.
I still want Kensington to give it a shot.
And what say you about this band, CHEF’SPECIAL?
https://www.youtube.com/user/Chefspecialmusic
Or should they follow the example set by Lordi and Softengine in hard rock, and send DELAIN?
https://www.youtube.com/user/delainofficial
No. It’s NOT happening! But they can at least send an upbeat song to Eurovision in Portugal, not that I hate all the “ballads” or anything. I liked “Lights and Shadows”, especially when it got to a mid-tempo speed by the end of the second chorus.
Netherlands could for once show what they’ve got on the dance scene Dutch style! Something like Eva Simons, Sharon Doorson, Oliver Hendens, Hardwell or someone less known with that fresh energetic style. They should at least give it a go, the dance years are almost over 😛
As an EDM fan…
… I say: Dance music is here to stay
Personally I think Alain is okay-okay for 2018. In my opinion The Netherlands performs the best when they send an artist with a atypical sound/act (like Anouk, the Linnets or Douwe). Alain doesn’t stand out enough I think… I have a feeling that AVROTROS is eyeballing Voice-winner Maan. She’s pretty and talented, but has no unique musical identity – so not an option in my opinion… These two are a good option: • Dotan (has been asked many times, wants to go, but is always too busy) • Ronnie Flex & Li’ll Kleine (want to go, but maybe too edgy… Read more »
Yessss, I want him to represent the Netherlands! He’s one of the best artists around here yet so underrated.
no thanks.
Please send something big and interesting
I wish they had an open selection, I would storm Eurovision with a very good song! But my country always have to make their own kinda selections
Why Netherlands is not sending Ronnie Flex, Lil Kleine or Boef?
Or at least this kind of music. It would stand out for sure, and be entertaining and votable by public.
Also some “House” would be really interesting.
Uhh, wouldn’t be a fan of it :S
Great idea!
Kleine said he would be open to the idea! I do think they are too edgy for the AVROTROS, but if they let them do their thing, they can be very serious contenders. I’m not sure Eurovision is ready for their sound though…
Televote is so ready for this sound 🙂
It’s just too cool.
(Not sure boring juries, but I don’t care about those biased people)
This sound, urban, also reggeaton is very popupar across Europe. It would work for sure.
People recommend Iris Kroes and Maan, really?! See you at the bottom then!
NO!!! PLEASE SEND HARDWELL AND MAAN!!! PLEASE!! FOR PETE SAKE!!!
please no… he is like that russian song: lost and forgotten what i would like to see is my country sending a song in Frisian for the first time. 2018 would be the perfect year for that since our frisian capital Leeuwarden (Ljouwert) will be the european capital of culture that year. and who should sing? I’d say Iris Kroes. She is the winner of the second edition of the voice of Holland and could create something really special on stage with her harp! She also already has stated that she really wants to go to eurovision for the Netherlands.… Read more »
Wow! She is extraordinary. Good shout.