About me

My artist name is Mary Lou, my real name is Marloes Groen, born November 7th, 1984 in Alkmaar.
I'm an independent songwriter from The Netherlands and I write, record, mix and produce my songs at home. 

I've been making music since I was very young. It all started behind the piano. In my youth I was surrounded by great music all the time. My mother, Joke Groen, is a professional jazz and classical piano player and a piano teacher. She used to practice piano at home right when I was there in the room, by herself and with various bands (reggae, latin, caribbean). I'd come home from school and they would be rehearsing. She took me to performances and festivals where she and her band were playing sometimes. It was a very inspiring way of growing up. Besides my mother playing music, my childhood took place in de 80s and 90s, which is a very influencial musical time for pop music. 

When I was 12 I decided to do something with my music and became committed to songwriting. Eversince I've written on countless songs, a lot of penscrapers, but I also wrote my first song 'All abandoned by you'. My mother applied the song to a music contest Prinses Christina Concours and it was accepted. Although the result was an honorable mention I really enjoyed singing and playing my song for an audience. It was so exciting. 

Besides songwriting I also played piano and sang background vocals in popbands and tribute bands. Occassionally I also played along with my mother's reggae band 'Negus a Nagast'.

In 2001 and 2002 I recorded various demo recordings in the studio. For example 'Did I ever say so' was my first single with four tracks recorded at EDS Music studio of Remko Rijpkema and at the studio of Nicky Buzz. 'Did I ever say so' also has a video which we recorded in the Floriade Park of 2002, a Dutch flower event with a multi cultural theme that year. It was such a nice time.

In 2003 after my gradiation, I followed a course Studio Engineering in Hilversum, learning all the fundamental things in the studio, recording a band, hearing what all the effects do and how to make a mix. So from 2003 until December 2004 I recorded a demo with sixteen songs from home. One of my songs 'Our Children's Future' was on that demo CD. Since that time I've been recording and producing songs.

My main musical instrument is the piano. I write most songs behind the keyboard, I play the song over and over again until it fits and then when I feel I could finish it, it would be nice to record, I work out my songs in a digital audio workstation (DAW) Cubase. 
My aim with music is to make great music, to leave behind a message and to show what I've learned over the years. To become better at writing, playing, singing and producing music. Hopefully the songs will invite people to listen and turn up the volume. To feel inspired and motivated, enjoying my music. That would be amazing. If someone would feel good hearing my songs that would be a dream come true.