Imagine being in high school and posting videos of yourself busy with your biggest passion, for example, music! Then a big name within Dutch music sees you and discovers you. Sounds like a dream for a lot of young people, being picked up by the big boys! But it is the reality for Anique. 

Anique van Büseck is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Meppel, the Netherlands. You may know her from her song ‘There with you’, which she performed a couple of days after this song's launch on national dutch TV. Ilse de Lange, a famous Dutch singer from Almelo, asked Anique if she would want to be a guest at Renze, a national broadcast talk show. Besides the cool experience, Anique also mentioned the fact that she now gets a lot of requests. Everything behind her debut single ‘There with you’, but also who she is will be revealed within this article.

How would you describe Anique as an artist?

“I am very curious about music. For example, I have now also started producing. I am very curious about how everything works, and I also have a great deal of perseverance, which means that things work out easier.”

Can you give an example?

“I play the piano and guitar, and I taught myself completely through the internet. I bought my first guitar 2 years ago. I search for hobbies I like very much, things I like to spend 2 hours per day on haha.”

How would you describe Anique as a person?

“I am actually introverted and extroverted at the same time. In a large group of people, like yesterday at the rock academy's open day, I wouldn't dare to ask a question in a large room. But I find it very pleasant to approach someone and have a chat.”

What do you want to do once you graduate from high school?

“I really want to go to music education, the Rockacademie for example. I orientate myself on everything and see what each school has to offer. Within almost every music education the selection is very strict, and a lot of people will not be admitted. I imagine it being very tense but I hope to gain experience to be more confident about the auditions. Everything I do right now will probably help.

Which experiences do you have?
“2 Years ago I started writing songs. Actually, it was the idea of my teacher. I was asked at the singing class if I could bring some work from myself to the class. That evening I wrote my first song..”

What was that first song about?

“When I look back I think the song is really bad, but back then I thought it was amazing. It was about friends who let you down, I sing about the fact that it is their loss.”

How would you describe the genre you’re making?

“I would say English pop music from an uptempo guitar song to a piano ballad. I find storytelling very important, things Taylor Swift does as well.”

Who is your role model? Do you see similarities?

“Mimi Webb, the music she makes is insane! We are both very young artists.”

What are you doing in your spare time?
“Of course, I go to school, but besides I also have hockey training 2 times a week and a competition on Sunday which is very fun. I take violin classes. But most of the time I am in my room, where I have my own little studio.”

In what family did you grow up?

“I have one older sister from 17 and a little brother from 14. I live together with my both parents in the city centre of Meppel. I lived my whole life so far in Meppel, and therefore I know a lot of people in my city which I like.”

Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
“Definitely the city.”

What is something you learned from your parents?
“Always stay yourself, and stay realistic. Keep both feet on the ground. When you come into the music world at this young age, everyone likes you and says you’re doing so good, and my parents always try to keep me down the earth.”

What is something you need within the music industry?
“Being realistic, you need to know who you can trust. A lot of people within the industry are doing it all for money. I’m lucky to say I am surrounded by good people.”

How did you get in contact with Ilse de Lange?

“Last year June I posted a cover from the song Back to You by Hannah Mae on Instagram. Hannah also is signed by Ilse and Hannah reposted my cover. Ilse saw the cover of Hannah’s story, 5 minutes later I received a message from Ilse if I could send some songs. From then on it went all very fast. I signed a contract with Universal Music Publishing. Which is super cool! Later I signed a records deal with Ilse, Spark Records. In June this year, I released my single. From then on a lot of cool things happened.”

What is the coolest thing you have done so far?

“3 Days after my song was released, I was a guest at Renze from RTL, where I live performed my song. I was literally the coolest singer ever. Mostly I’m pretty nervous but now I was so relaxed so I really enjoyed it.”

What direction do you want to study?
“I’m now searching for a production course. I think 4 years only vocals are a little bit boring. I believe there is a lot of challenges in production and it is also something I want to learn from professionals.”

What is your biggest dream?

“Touring through America, and releasing my own album! In the shorter term, I want to have my own sold-out show.”

What do you want to say to students?

“Nobody knows what the future looks like, so just do it. Don’t listen to the opinions of others but go for that what attracts you.”

I hope you get to know Anique a bit better. Tune in on HUB Radio to discover more of Aniques music, and of course listen to other young, new, cool artists. Oh and don’t forget to follow your dreams, and work hard for the things you really want in life…