Wisseloord alumnus Lars Koehoorn extends his journey with Wisseloord Publishing/BMG Benelux
One day he works on a Dutch pop hit with René Karst, the next he’s working on an English EDM chart-topper like “Ibiza Sky” with DJ Licious. Lars Koehoorn, who got signed by the House of Music (Wisseloord Publishing/BMG Benelux) in 2021, is working as a full-time singer-songwriter and producer: a successful journey that extended with the publisher last July. ‘Without the Wisseloord Academy,’ he mentions, ‘I probably never would have had that opportunity.’
Focus on your music and show your face
Lars, whose music has been featured on Radio 538, Radio 2 and 3FM, gained recognition in the Netherlands after joining the Voice of Holland in 2019. Around that time, Lars started the Academy following his preliminary education at the Prince Claus Conservatoire. Due to the coronavirus regulations, his upcoming gigs were cancelled. ‘Because of that I could fully focus on the Wisseloord Academy. Every hour of free time I had, I was busy making music and implementing the knowledge I gained during the lessons.’
At one of the Academy’s first Career Development & Business classes, BMG Benelux gave a lecture about who they are and what they do. ‘I went up to them to introduce myself and have a short chat.’ Lars successfully advises: ‘Just show your face and make the first contact. Something I normally never did, but I couldn’t pass up on this opportunity.’ But how did it go from there?
Lars Koehoorn performing
Standing out through hard work and dedication
Malik Berrabah, producer and CEO of the Wisseloord Studios and Academy, keeps a close watch on the development of all students and saw the rapid process Lars was making. After Lars supplied him with new music, Malik asked if they could talk about the possibility of contracting him with House of Music (Wisseloord Publishing/BMG Benelux.) ‘For me that was the main goal of my training; taking the first steps towards a serious career in the music industry.’ But what has happened ever since Lars got signed with Wisseloord Publishing and BMG Benelux?
‘Every day is different, everything is possible’
Within the realm of the House Of Music (a partnership between Wisseloord and BMG), the Wisseloord Studios organise writing sessions and writing camps. Lars: ‘Now that I’m signed to BMG, I do a lot of sessions and it actually goes faster than I thought possible. I have been able to do several writing camps, get to know a lot of writers, producers and artists and thus gain new experiences.’
Next to that the House of Music hosts artists in residences and collaborates with several Bureaus of Export to help artists grow their international network. Through these collaborations, Lars has worked together with artists in residences as for example French artist Folamour. ‘The variety in the work is what makes it so much fun for me.’ Lars says, ‘Every day is different, everything is possible. The first songs I worked on have already been released and behind the scenes there is still a lot of new material ready.’