Dutch singer Ilse DeLange is most known for her country influenced music in the Netherlands. I always hoped/thought she could be famous on country radio with her music.
She has always worked with US (country) songwriters and producers. The first attempt to launch her career in the States was in 2001 with World Of Hurt. But US label records thought it sounded to outdated (the record was released in 1998). Later Ilse cancelled all her US contracts and returned to the Netherlands.
She recorded her 2010 mini album Next To Me in Nashville, and I remember several interviews where she said to again have tried to break in the US country market, but they thought her country music was to fast for the US market.
In 2011 she decided to work with American producer Matthew Wilder (No Doubt, Xtina, Miley) and create a sound that sounded like US hit record, but she left the country sound for DOLUV2LUVU. She released the track as a preview for the album, but later canceled the album due to the passing of her father. She instead went with a darker more known sound for her latest album.
Her latest track is a soundtrack for a Dutch movie. It's more poppy and again her 'own' sound.
In 2014 Ilse will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest with Dutch (jazz/pop) singer Waylon as country/pop duo The Common Linnets.
Do you think Ilse's sound could('ve) been big in the US country market?