Last week we reported on this site that Dutch singer-songwriter Trijntje Oosterhuis chose to give her new album away for free. Initially, this marketing stunt earned her a lot of criticism from music stores. Leader of the critic pack was Free Record Shop, claiming that the singer’s approach is bad for the industry. However, due to the controversy around her free CD, Oosterhuis has been breaking news all week. Gradually, she begins to enjoy all the fuss.

Her new CD "Sundays in New York” was distributed for free with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, last Saturday. Unlike for example British newspapers, this is quite unusual on the Dutch market. The singer calls it logical that this stunt would evoke responses from the entertainment industry. Most responses were positive, though. Especially colleagues's from the music business, like former Eurovision contender Edsilia Rombley, congratulate Oosterhuis with her idea. In today’s music business, artists generate income through their concerts. Those who find a creative way to attract a greater audience, are simply smart thinkers.

"It turns out, the only negative comments came from the entertainment stores. That is of course an understandable and predictable response.”, Oosterhuis reported. Last week, Free Record Shop had recommended all record stores to boycot her album. “Anyway, there is discussion and that's good," says the singer. "All the attention, both negative and positive, is constructive, because it makes clear that the music industry is transforming. We are all concerned of our business and need to find new ways to make sure the world can hear good quality music," says Oosterhuis.

Along with Saturday’s Algemeen Dagblad, 750,000 copies of the album were distributed. This is an unprecedented figure for a Dutch artist. Oosterhuis wants to attract a new audience for her music. The record is now so controversial that even the music stores can no longer ignore it. The new strategy seems to work allready.

For the singer, the creative process of making music remains her personal priority. "A good marketing strategy can make it easier to attract people to discover my music, but if the music is uninteresting, this whole exercise would be pointless. In any event, this high circulation will give many people a chance to really listen"

Sources: AD, Nu, Media Courant (all Dutch)