Ten years ago precisely, on June 12th, 2014, José Hoebee's single "Noheyo" was released as a digital single. This Dutch cover version of a 2011 single by Polish band Blue Café stood as a testament to José's enduring talent and artistic evolution. The ex-Luv' lead singer had not released new music since 2004.
Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the underestimated pop track "Noyeho".
History
August 11th, 2012, saw the final live performance of Luv's original trio (Patty Brard, Marga Scheide and José Hoebee) at the Dutch Valley Festival in Spaarnwoude, the Netherlands. This last show happened in a particular context as José's husband, record producer Will Hoebee, died of cancer a couple of months earlier.
Luv's farewell show at Dutch Valley Festival (2012)
José not only lost the man of her life, but an important chapter of her career came to a close. She didn't know, at the time, that she would later continue with Luv' in two other line-ups.
It took José months to recover. Despite her challenges, she found the strength to return to music and continued pursuing her passion.
In early January 2013, she participated in "Sterren Dansen Op Het Ijs" (SBS6's celebrity figure skating show). She was rapidly eliminated from the competition, but the artist considered it a great learning experience.
Simon Crowhurst and José (2013)
In the summer of 2013, she and Bonnie St. Claire revived their duo "Bonnie & José," known for their successful Dutch cover versions of ABBA songs in the 1980s. The ladies gave several performances until May 2014.
Bonnie & José on "Nederland Muziekland" (2013)
In early 2014, José teamed up with a new manager and former fan, Dennis van Korven, to relaunch her solo career.
First, Dennis rejuvenated the singer's image. José underwent a makeover and a style change in March 2024.
An official fan page, still active today, was launched: https://www.facebook.com/josehoebee.nl
The songstress' new manager recruited a team of talented people, including photographer Herman Erik Kuiper, make-up artist Mark Borgers, and hairdresser Grzegorz Miara for a photo shoot at De Leerfabriek in Oisterwijk, the Netherlands, on May 12th, 2014. Pictures were taken for the cover of José's new single and other promotional reasons.
José Hoebee and Dennis van Korven collaborated with producer Martin Sterken to record a Dutch cover version of "Noheyo", a Polish song originally performed by the pop band Blue Café, which represented Poland at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest. The original track was spelt "Noheo" and reached #1 on the Polish airplay chart in 2011. It was written by Paweł Rurak-Sokal, Anna Saraniecka and Dominika Gawęda.
Noheo by Blue Café (2011)
On May 15th, 2014, José entered producer Martin Sterken's studio to record "Noheyo". This track was a shining example of teamwork. The Dutch text was written by Dennis van Korven and Martin Sterken. Jan de Vrieze played guitar, and Cindy Oudshoorn (of the progressive band "Kayak") provided background vocals. Noheyo also featured a children's choir (with vocals by Lotus and Eliza).
José & Martin Sterken
On May 30th, 2014, José gave an interview on RTL 4's entertainment news show "RTL Boulevard" to discuss her latest project.
José on RTL Boulevard (2014)
José's "Noheyo" release party took place at Eetcafé 't Pandje in Hilversum, the Netherlands, on June 11th, 2014. The media (including SBS6's infotainment program "Shownieuws") and the artist's entourage were present. Among the attendees were manager Dennis van Korven, Peter Boonstra and Jos Theuns, who run José's first fan page on Clubs.nl, former Luv' producer Hans van Hemert, TV personalities Viola Holt and Nelleke Koen, José's son Tim, producer Martin Sterken, Kayak singer Cindy Oudshoorn, photographer Herman Erik Kuiper and his partner Stephan Wijnen, and hairdresser Grzegorz Miara.
Martin Sterken, José and Cindy Oudshoorn
Hans van Hemert, José and Nelleke Koen
Peter Boonstra and José
Jos Theuns and José
Dennis van Korven, José and Viola Holt
José interviewed by SBS 6 Shownieuws
José and Viola Holt
Stephan Wijnen, José and Herman Erik Kuiper
Cheyenne Di Alma and José
José and Tim
On June 16th, 2014, the music video for "Noheyo" was shot at the café De Ontmoeting in Oss, a city in the southern Netherlands. Three young girls (a blonde, a dark blonde and a brunette) named Pien, Sophie and Madelief were hired as background dancers. They were supposed to be a reminder of Luv'. Their choreography was reminiscent of the legendary "Trojan Horse" routine.
Noheyo's release generated publicity in the Dutch media and boosted José's agenda (including radio interviews, TV and live performances).
The June 18th, 2014 issue of Dutch celebrity gossip magazines Privé and Weekend featured articles about José's happiness.
Weekend - part 1
Weekend - part 2
Privé - part 1
Privé - part 2
José was booked for live shows in the Netherlands again.
José @ Midzomergracht Festival in Utrecht on June 21st, 2014
José @ Roze Maandag (July 21st, 2014)
José & Mai Tai backstage at the Roze Maandag (July 21st, 2014)
Although Noheyo was not a success, it satisfied the loyal fans to see José busy on stage, on TV and on the radio.
On October 23rd, 2014, Manager Dennis van Korven announced the end of his partnership with José Hoebee on Facebook.
"Dear fans, I'm so happy I've had the opportunity to work with José the past six months. Our time is now over, and I hope you are as happy as I am to know she is back on track. José carries on with other plans, and I go on with my own things. Greetings, Dennis van Korven" he wrote.
Dennis resurrected José's solo career and made her agenda hectic again.
Commercial performance
José's "Noheyo" reached the first position on SBS6's download chart in the "Nederlandstalig" (Dutch speaking) category on June 16th, 2014. The song rapidly dropped from this chart and failed to break into the mainstream hit parade.
Tracklisting
Noheyo
Digital single - released by MAP Records on June 12th, 2014
Noheyo - 3:03
Written by Paweł Rurak-Sokal, Anna Saraniecka and Dominika Gawęda. Dutch lyrics by Dennis van Korven and Martin Sterken
Credits :
José Hoebee - lead vocals
Jan de Vrieze - guitar
Cindy Oudshoorn - background vocals.
Choir: Lotus and Eliza
Recorded at Martin Sterken Studio
Dennis van Korven - management
Herman Erik Kuiper - photography
Mark Borgers - make-up artist
Grzegorz Miara - hairdresser
Dorota Olenkowicz - beauty salon
Bailiff Fashion + Kerckhoven Shoes - styling
Source: Withluvfromjose blog archives, José Hoebee Fan Page Facebook
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