Last month Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed that they’re sending singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence to Tel Aviv to represent The Netherlands. Since then opinions have been very strong and very divided. The comments frequently echo the same sentiments: “Duncan who? Don’t know the guy”. Of course, there is plenty of positivity to balance that out. Many people are excited about the Dutch sending someone relatively unknown to the contest again. It’ll be an adventure of discovery for us all.
After sending well-known ‘A-list’ artists to represent the small country for six years running, Duncan is considered a surprising choice…and a bit of a mystery. Not even us Googling Dutchies are able to find much more information about the singer online. We simply know that Duncan is a 24-year-old Rock Academy graduate who grew up in Spijkernisse. His fellow students describe him as a “risk-taker” and “very ambitious”, which are two very good qualities to have in a Eurovision contestant.
But this week Ilse DeLange gave us a bit more to chew on during an interview with RTL Boulevard. She said that she would LOVE to go to Tel Aviv for Eurovision. Not as a contestant this time, but as a mentor to guide Duncan on this journey. Although she can’t reveal too much yet, she assures the country that what is coming will be beautiful. Her enthusiasm is creating high expectations.
“All I can say is that I will tell you all more after the 7th of March. Let’s just stay I’m really happy with our entry and with that said, we don’t have anything to lose”.
When the interviewer — and dear friend of wiwibloggs — Aran asked her if there is a chance that she has co-written the song, she repeated: “I’m not going to say anything else because then you will draw a conclusion from it and then it will be ‘news’, so you guys just have to be patient. It’s going to be splendid”.
Rumour also has it that musician Wouter Hardy is the man behind the Eurovision song. Hardy used to tour with rumoured Eurovision artist Kovacs and has written songs for many other artists before. If this is the case, this could indeed turn out as the ‘killer song’ Ilse DeLange assures the public it’s going to be.
The possible song choices for this year’s entry have been heavily discussed online. “I Miss You” and “Closer To The Heart” are rumoured to be one of Duncan’s potential entries, mainly because — after some digging — fans found out that his official name “Duncan de Moor” is listed among the writers online. Allegedly the song “I Miss You” was one of Duncan’s Rock Academy graduation songs, which was abruptly taken offline. RTL Boulevard reported that his official management have denied that this is his official song.
Despite the negative reactions after his announcement, Duncan couldn’t be happier and thankful to have been given the chance to represent his country. In the video above he says:
“Hi everyone, Duncan here, thank you all for all your nice, sweet, warm and positive reactions. I’m absolutely honored to be representing The Netherlands during The Eurovision Song Contest. I’m currently so busy with all the preparations. All my focus is on the music, which is the most important thing, and that’s actually what it is all about. I can’t wait to share it all with you on the seventh of March. Bye bye!”
Guess we really do have to wait until the official song release on the seventh of March then!
What do you think? Can Duncan bring the Eurovision trophy to The Netherlands this year? What is he cooking up with Ilse?
his voice is interesting and having Ilse at your side might help. She has a strong vision it what might work on the edge of alternative sound and commercially attractive
Sennek was from Belgium, not Netherlands…
She’s Flemish, though.
I think it’s a soulful and power ballad.
I have a feeling that this could be THE year for the Dutchie’s….
Im not so sure about that. Creating high hopes means a bigger chance we will be dissappointed. I think it will be Belgium’s year.
That would be fine too, Brussels 2020 sounds good!
I Miss You is absolutely beautiful and he sings it amazingly. If they have topped this, i suspect it will be a real contender for victory
i need holland to switch up their sound a biT bc they’ve been sending more or less the same song since 2013
you will lose your bet.
Are you tone deaf? How on earth does Birds sound like Outlaw in Em?
issa relatively similar style, y’all haven’t sent anything uptempo since unmemorable times
I have tons of hope with Duncan and The Netherlands. If his song is as good as “I Miss You” it would be my first over 9 score this season, and even better than last year (my highest score was “Just Fine” by Sudden Lights with 9.25/10). I don’t have any song to root for yet (Spain aside).
Also, Ilse is trying to piss off Waylon by “doing” Eurovision the following year and being so enthusiastic… or it’s just me?
Yes, this seems petty on her part, if Laurence does really well she can act like Common Linnets succeeded because she knew what she was doing more than Waylon, and if it flops she can distance herself from it because she’s only a mentor.
FYI: Daniel Dekker, who is part of the selection committee, called Ilse to ask her if she knew any artists for Eurovision. That’s when she recommended Duncan. Ilse did not volunteer to chose an entry, so it’s bull to call it petty.
He has written a K-pop tune, and written and sung a dance track by some French producers. He seems pretty versatile, although I think his Eurovision entry will go in the direction of I Miss You, in terms of sound and vibe. Knowing Ilse’s taste, it will probably be a ballad.
Ilse would probably be a slightly better mentor than About was in 2015. lol
* Anouk
He can do a Jamala.
“Miss you” is so good that I really don’t think his new song will be better (for me). The only thing I’m hoping for is that his song will just be the final version of “Miss you”.
I’d stay with original name. Duncan de Moor > Duncan Lawrence
If your name is Lawrence, you should apply for Dignitas.
Seriously though, who is he?
A possible Eurovision winner. (One in 42 chance.) Ah, the prestige.
I loved “I Miss You.” Even if it isn’t their entry, his voice is amazing and I have high hopes for it.
Have to admit after a few (to be honest, more than a few) of my favourite acts were eliminated, I was rather looking forward to “I Miss You”. Thought it had great potential. Hope they’re just trying to swerve us…
I am very confident that he will give us a splendid song and with an amazing team behind him another qualification round
I am confident. The fact that he is not an established artist doesn’t mean much outside the Netherlands. It seems that he has a competent team working with him, so there’s no need to be worried (yet).