MARIA ANOUK (Anouk van Putten, 16-07-1997) is a 26-year-old, Dutch, multidisciplinary artist who has found her voice in rock music. In this, her passion comes together with what she stands for; creative freedom and breaking the norm. She creates music encompassing Hard Rock, Garage Rock, and Metal, infused with urban influences. All while dressed in Queerness and alternative fashion. Thus, she intends to create a sense of infinite freedom in her audience.
Experience
MARIA ANOUK has been performing as a singer, dancer, and all-round performer for over 10 years. She is practically born on stage and has had leading roles in final performances of recreational dance and singing schools. At highschool, she already performed songs she wrote herself. During her training at a “Performing Arts Academy” in Amsterdam, she further challenged her stage experience, which led to a diverse orientation in the field of performing arts after graduating. In 2019 she participated in the national TV show “DanceSing” and in 2020 she released her first (pop) song, called “Mermaid”.
Later that year she switched focus from pop music to rock music and since 2021 she has been taking guitar lessons from Jeff Zwart, a well-known Dutch guitarist and composer. Currently MARIA ANOUK writes and composes her own songs and creates the final products in collaboration with various, experienced, and professional musicians, composers, and producers. After which she prefers to share her creations with the world through live singing in combination with electric guitar playing.
Music & Performance
MARIA ANOUK her music is a mix of the subgenres Hardrock, Metal, Grunge, Blues and more. Her profession as a model and dancers plays a big part in het music career. She has an eye for fashion and visuals, ensuring that every aspect of her performance contributes to the whole and is coordinated. “Rock music deserves beautiful, artistic visuals, and many great (rock) musicians fall short of this” according to MARIA ANOUK.
Mission
MARIA ANOUK intends to create a sense of infinite freedom and thus inspire her audience. She contributes to taking back the right to make and appreciate rock music as a queer person of color. Due to the stereotype surrounding rock music, queer people of color often don’t feel safe going to rock concerts and/or festivals. With her work she aspires to bring rock music to her audience and make the genre accessible to them. MARIA ANOUK wants to create that much needed safe space. When she is on stage, she ensures that you can let yourself go through hard rock music with a positive message. This way you can be sure that you leave the venue with a healthy dose of energy and then a new boost of self-confidence.
MARIA ANOUK collaborates with multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter Jannes van Kaam to craft her music. She also performs with her band, and in 2023, they had the honor of taking the stage at Dam Square, Amsterdam, during the Black Pride event. Want to see it? Check out the video at 18:10 through this link.