Nearly twenty years into his career—with number-one albums, gold records, and a cabinet full of awards to his name—Blaudzun remains an unmistakable presence in the Dutch pop landscape. The singer, who recently reached the quarterfinals of De Slimste Mens NL, will release Best Of Blaudzun on April 3. This beautifully crafted compilation offers an overview of twenty years of Blaudzun, from audience favorites to defining songs from his career.
“Often it feels like I’ve only just begun, but in reality I’ve been doing this for more than twenty years now: writing, singing, recording, performing,” says Blaudzun. “This compilation is there to celebrate those years. And it feels good, after a brief detour, to return to V2 Records with this release.”
“A collection like this is a wonderful document, for loyal fans as well as new listeners,” Blaudzun adds. “I discovered The Beatles and The Cure myself through compilation albums. It’s a great way to step inside—like a gateway to a larger musical universe.”
“For me, this album also marks the closing of a first musical chapter,” he continues. “I’m looking ahead, without time pressure, and I’m currently working on a new studio album.”
In addition to the album, the book Blaudzun. In the Footsteps of a Pop Icon will be published on March 19 by De Bezige Bij. At the invitation of bestselling author Ronald Giphart, the Utrecht-based singer allowed himself to be followed for nearly two years—during performances, international tours, at home, and behind the scenes. The result is a fascinating and in-depth book that reads like a cross between a pop biography and a road movie.
With the book and the best-of album as its starting point, Blaudzun will tour the country from April with his first solo theater show. The evening will feature well-known songs and personal stories, promising a rich and intimate glimpse into what Blaudzun himself describes as: “a universe of devilish music, religious traumas, and my passion for cycling. And also an answer to the question of why my glasses are so big.”