#7: From Dutch Success to Chinese Number One: The Journey of Lars Koehoorn (Wisseloord Short)

Discover how Lars Koehoorn transitioned from making music as a hobby to becoming a chart-topping artist, navigating industry challenges, and collaborating internationally.In this episode:

• Lars Koehoorn shares his early beginnings and influences, including his love for Volendamse folk music
• The shift from artist to songwriter and producer, and the reasons behind it
• Insights into the creative process, including working unprepared and in diverse genres
• The challenges and rewards of writing for international markets, especially China
• How the pandemic influenced his career path and opportunities
• The impact of social media and streaming platforms on his growth
• The story behind his Chinese number one hit and working with Chinese artists
• Advice for aspiring musicians on developing their sound and navigating industry hurdles
• The importance of persistence, timing, and industry connections in achieving success

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Lars Koehoorn and his musical background
00:28 - Lars’ early interest in music and performances
01:40 - Transition from performing own songs to cover acts
02:01 - Influence of Dutch folk and pop artists like Nick & Simon
02:34 - Career shift during the COVID pandemic to studio work
03:05 - The move from artist to songwriter/producer and focusing on the creative process
04:03 - Working across genres and languages for diverse audiences
04:38 - The value of not niching down unless aiming for big pop acts
05:06 - Language use and vocabulary considerations in songwriting
05:45 - Adjusting songwriting style based on music genre and target audience
06:13 - The role of human intuition and creative energy in production
07:06 - Lars’ preparation process for studio sessions and collaboration style
07:59 - The importance of having conversations before work starts
08:36 - Collaboration dynamics: working with artists and labels
09:04 - Handling songs that are developed but not released
10:06 - The lengthy process of getting songs into the market and industry delays
11:05 - The demand for good songs in the Netherlands and the export of Dutch music
11:23 - The small pool of writers and producers in popular genres
12:23 - Typical studio day and the creative flow pattern
13:33 - Balancing studio work as a hobby and profession
14:31 - International opportunities: writing for Chinese artists and the huge Chinese market
16:43 - Experiencing a Chinese number one hit and the global reach of music
17:36 - The challenges and opportunities of writing in English for Chinese markets
18:13 - Balancing personal projects with professional work for clients
19:02 - The inspiration needed for making music for oneself
20:38 - Experiences performing live, including big shows with DJ Licious
22:06 - The key to success: right place, right time, and perseverance
23:53 - The financial realities of new artists and early career struggles
25:12 - Long-term strategy: building a steady stream of releases
26:18 - Lars' biggest musical dreams and recent achievements, such as stadium performances
27:13 - Exploring international markets beyond the Netherlands
28:04 - Following Lars on social media and the importance of Wisseloord Studios for emerging artists

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PuntNL is hét Nederlandse clubhuis voor muzikale makers, producers, schrijvers en liefhebbers. Met een thuis in de Wisseloord studios, een liefde voor Nederlandstalige muziek, maar een diepgewortelde interesse die grens- en genreoverstijgend is.Presentator Mattijs Franken gaat in gesprek met artiesten over hun muziek, het maakproces en de verhalen achter de songs. Geen vluchtige interviews, maar verdieping en context. De gesprekken worden afgewisseld met exclusieve liveoptredens.🎧 Ook te bekijken als podcast via YouTube en andere audioplatforms.📺 Abonneer je op dit kanaal voor nieuwe afleveringen, livesessies en clips