Browsing Category demo
demo, playlist, re-release, single track, wildcard
Wildcard (week 7):
Wildcard (week 7):
Judith – Hi, How’s Your Girlfriend?
Judith van Hirtum is a 25-year-old Belgian/Dutch singer-songwriter. In 2022, she won the ‘Rising Star’ contest on radio station MNM with a cover of Beggin’. Shortly after that, she released her successful debut single Me And My Big Mouth. A great way to start her music career.
In 2024, Judith supported Belgian superstar Pommelien Thijs on her tour in The Netherlands. This was followed by support slots for other artists like Rick Astley, Milow and Di-Rect. Last summer, her single Are U Done? got nominated for the Flemish television contest ‘Zomerhit’.
Since then, Judith signed a major record deal and is ready for the next chapter of this promising story. Lately, she’s been writing lots of new music. Her songs may sound up-beat and happy, but her light-hearted, self-written lyrics often deal with universal subjects such as heartbreak and mental health. Meanwhile, she doesn’t shy away from social themes like women’s rights and unequal relationships.
In her new single Hi, How’s Your Girlfriend? Judith targets a man who has two girlfriends who don’t know about each other’s existence. The poppy tune was one of six songs the Dutch selection committee chose to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovison Song Contest 2025. I think it would have been a very successful entry. In fact, I still think it’s a huge hit!
Hi, How’s Your Girlfriend? by Judith is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow Judith on Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2025 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
demo, playlist, re-release, single track, wildcard
Wildcard (week 4):
Wildcard (week 4):
Gavin James – Goldrush
Gavin James’ debut album Bitter Pill immediately established him as an artist to watch. The Book Of Love and Nervous off said album became huge hits and brought him to the attention of Alan Walker. Together, they released the single Tired, which has been streamed on Spotify nearly 270 million times. In no-time, James had grown from an upcoming artist to a global super star. The Irishman toured with fellow megastars Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and Niall Horan, as well as playing sold-out solo shows all over the world. This year, he’ll do a new European tour.
Following the over a handful of singles he released in 2024, Gavin James is now back with Goldrush. It’s the first music off his upcoming album, to be out later this year. Goldrush is a song about listening to your inner voice, James explains: “It’s about seeing the world as it is after being through some hard times. About having a devil inside you that you sometimes have to keep at bay. The voice that makes you want to go crazy and lose yourself a bit. Kind of like the tale of the two wolves. It’s full of feel-good energy, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
From the wobbly keys to the driving drums via the dirty bass line to the house-like piano motif and gospel choir, Goldrush sounds like a jackpot to me!
Therefore, Goldrush by Gavin James is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow Gavin James on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2025 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
demo, single track
Prince – Holly Rock
When Prince recorded a demo of a song he wrote for another artist, it wasn’t really a demo. It was often the full final version of the track, usually with nearly all instruments played by the purple one. More than once, the only difference between Prince’s version and the eventual release, were the vocals. That’s why most of the songs on the recently released album Originals are instantly recognisable.
One of my personal favourite Prince compositions has always been Holly Rock, made famous by Sheila E. She recorded her version in 1985 for the ‘Krush Groove’ soundtrack, and boy, did the track groove! Earlier that year, Prince put his demo to tape, where he was fully inside the skin of the one the song was intended for. You can hear him rap ‘Sheila E.’s my name / Holly Rock’s my game’. By the way, Hollyrock was the name used for Hollywood in the TV cartoon series ‘The Flintstones’, but it’s not sure this inspired the title.
34(!) years after it was recorded, Prince’s own version of Holly Rock is featured on his Originals album. It has been edited for release as a posthumous single. A master piece!
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
