Blackbird is a Dutch, independent artist from Amsterdam, bursting on to the scene with cool and exciting pop sounds. Songs that are filled with vintage guitars, catchy hooks, retro synths and soaring strings. With a powerful voice - and not afraid to dive into lots of different kinds of music styles - the natural-born performer sings and writes about personal freedom, resilience, loneliness, longing for adventure and finding happiness.
Inspired by rockin’ powerhouses like Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac, the singer started writing her first songs on an old acoustic guitar in Berlin, winter 2015. A few of those early writings later became her self-titled debut album which Blackbird released in March 2020. This body of work that’s been given high praise included the sassy tune ‘Tell Your Mama’ and nostalgic ‘I’m Like You’. The album has already accumulated over 6 million streams and also features a striking cinematic collaboration with the Metropole Orkest. She performed the songs live for the first time at the legendary Pinkpop Festival.
After two thriving club tours, winning the Limburgse Popprijs and being the opening act for musical heroes Sheryl Crow and Beth Hart, Blackbird and her band had their biggest summer festival season in 2023 playing Paaspop, Bospop and Zwarte Cross.
Blackbird has announced her sophomore album 'Pink Shades' to be released November 17. Featuring the radio singles 'Down Down Down Down', 'Built And Broken’ and ‘Stay Or Go’'. That last one became her 6th NPO Radio 2 TopSong. The artist is celebrating her album release show in the Bitterzoet on December 12 in Amsterdam and she’ll be touring the Netherlands with her band in February and March 2024.
“Ik vind Blackbird groots.”
- Rob Stenders
“Love the songs, production, sounds… Great voice.”
- Jason Orme
(guitarist Alanis Morissette)
"One of the greatest singers I've ever heard in my life."
- Lori Lieberman
“Man, even een staande ovatie... Wauw, dit is echt f*cking goed!”
- Gerard Ekdom
About new album ‘Pink Shades’ (2023):
“Ze worden zo nu en dan nog gemaakt, zelfs in Nederland: albums zonder één zwak nummer.” - Chris van Oostrom (Lust For Life *****)
“Blackbird overtreft zichzelf met nieuw album.”
- Rob Cobben (De Limburger)
“Een ijzersterk pop-rockalbum”
- Linda Magazine
“Verdomd lekker”
- Plato Mania
About debut album ‘Blackbird’ (2020):
“Een [debuut]plaat met invoelbare, menselijke teksten en prachtige vocalen… Kleurrijke songs waarvan sommige niet zouden misstaan op de soundtrack van een Quentin Tarantino-film.”
- Saskia Bosch (TROUW)
“Sterke composities.. Debuut om door een ringetje te halen.”
- Ella-Milou Quist (Music Maker)
“Zonnig en weemoedig tegelijk… Een album dat de ruimte van Amerikaanse vergezichten zoekt.”
- Jan Vollaard (NRC)
Photos: Philine van den Hul
