The Common Linnets

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Common Linnets is a Dutch band, founded in 2013 by Ilse DeLange and Waylon. DeLange saw the group as a platform for Dutch artists who want to make country, Americana and bluegrass, in which the members can change. The name refers to the linnet, the songbird from which people from the east of the Netherlands, where both singers come from, derive their nickname heikneuters. The idea for the name came from the designer Rens Dekker.

Music and breakthrough

The big moment came in 2014. The band represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with Calm After the Storm, written by, among others, JB Meijers and the Americans Rob and Matthew Crosby. The song came second, behind Conchita Wurst of Austria, and gave the Netherlands its best result since the win in 1975. The debut album of the same name appeared on 9 May 2014 and reached number 1 in the Netherlands. After the Song Contest Waylon left the group for his own album. His place was taken by the American Jake Etheridge, alongside JB Meijers.

Influence

The band won the Buma Cultuur Pop Award in 2014 and an Echo Award as best international newcomer in 2015. In September 2015 the second album II followed, which again finished at the top in the Netherlands. With The Common Linnets the Netherlands brought a country and Americana sound to the big European stage, and it was a hit with audiences.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 2014The Common Linnets
• 2015II

See also

• The Common Linnets