Stereo

Rock Nation followed the search for musicians in 2008, with presenter Dennis Weening and manager Edwin Jansen overseeing the process. After workshops and performances in different combinations, Stereo emerged as the final six-piece band.

The original line-up included singer Astrid Kunst, guitarists Daan Koch and Jean-Baptiste Zablone, keyboard player Thijs Schrijnemakers, bassist Noah Smits and drummer Stephan Beuving. Unexpected, the group’s own song, supplied the first single later that year.

Last Forever, Still Here and Do Ya followed, while the eleven-song album Monogamy brought a larger recording programme together. Last Forever reached the Dutch top ten; Still Here and Unexpected also appeared in the Top 40.

Those records offer a better introduction than the television premise alone. A singer and two guitars give the music an obvious centre, while keyboards and the rhythm section allow a more varied texture around it.

Start with Last Forever and Unexpected, then continue to Do Ya and the album. The sequence makes the transition from a newly formed television band to a recording act easier to follow, with the songs carrying the identity after the selection process has ended.