Dutch artist Pitou’s musical awakening came from an unlikely source. At a very young age, Pitou (both her first, and stage name) started to develop an unexplainable interest in classical music. Her father would often find her crouched down by the radio, scrolling through stations, in search of the sound of orchestras and choirs. From the age of 9, Pitou sang in a children’s choir, performing at the baptism of Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of the Netherlands, and in renowned orchestra halls throughout Europe.
Her classical background blended together with the world music that her parents brought into the house. Pitou's parents regularly traveled to places such as Cameroon and India, with her and her sister in tow. Each year, they would head back to The Netherlands carrying cassette tapes filled with the sounds they had picked up on their overland adventures.
From these musical experiences came the desire to create her own musical worlds. Songs and admirers quickly ensued. Pitou came into the public eye in 2016 with her eponymous EP 'Pitou'. In 2018 she released her second EP 'I Fall Asleep So Fast''.
Her debut record 'Big Tear' was released on March 24, 2023.
She played renowned venues such as Paradiso, L'Olympia, Ancienne Belgique, Het Concertgebouw, and festivals such as Pukkelpop, Rock Werchter, Best Kept Secret and Into The Great Wide Open. Her music has been broadcasted by BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 (UK), FiP radio (FR) Radio 1, Klara (BE), 3FM and Radio 2 (NL).
on Big Tear:
One of the most beautiful contemporary indie-pop records of this moment.
Madame Figaro (FR)
Nuanced and sensitive pop in which you discover both folk and classical music.
Volkskrant (NL) ****
Successful and promising debut full of small miracles.
Knack/Focus (BE) ****
A wonderful and subtle album. The songs are a raised finger towards fuss and are full of sizzling subtleties.
OOR (NL)
More Praise:
"Regimented but gentle. Mechanical but empathic. Like Tinkerbell serenading you from the far side of a wormhole, or an archangel contemplating eternity in some heavenly hall of mirrors."
Gigwise
"Amsterdam-born artist Pitou has one of the most arresting voices to emerge from this year, drawing comparisons to the likes of Laura Marling and Julia Holter, crafting intelligent folk-pop that balances the darkness and light of human emotion."
The Independent
"Sometimes, the best music is created from the barest of elements. Not many are capable of such simplicity, but rising Dutch artist Pitou is; just a few haunting notes are enough to convince that she’s a star in waiting, possessor of a rare voice and extraordinary songcraft."
Europavox
