Erik, Koen and Michiel met in the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music where each was studying to become a music teacher. They became huge friends but after three years separated to go off on their individual careers, teaching music to young people. By chance, a few years later they met again and decided to form a group. They would continue individually to be teachers but would also write songs and perform together as Julius. They planned to use the group’s popularity to encourage young people to learn and study music.
When Julius sent their recordings to a record company their very first single was picked up to be featured in the American soap opera ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’. It was seen in 130 countries worldwide including China, where the Mayson Guitar Company asked Julius to become their mascot group.
In 2015, Julius toured China sponsored by Mayson. They caused a sensation everywhere they went, not only playing shows but on the following day visiting music schools to teach kids the guitar, and often a little English too.
In 2016, they did another Chinese tour with Mayson and were picked up by Billboard China who arranged for a new single to be released: ‘Love’, a dual language ballad with Hong Kong DJ Miss Yellow. This reached the top 30 of China’s most popular Western songs on the Yin Yue Tai music channel.
In July 2017, there will be another Chinese tour, with 20 dates, including Shanghai. To coincide with it, a new video and single will be released, another duet with a Chinese artist. As on previous tours, Julius will put a heavy emphasis on meeting and helping young people who want to develop their musical abilities, learn guitar, or just chat in English to some foreign musicians.
Koen says, “On this tour I shall be singing the famous Chinese pop song Red Sun in English, but I’ll also sing the chorus in Chinese. Maybe also we’ll try to teach the kids to sing it in English too. We have such fun playing for audiences in China, they love to party and join in. Now they’ll be able to sing along too. We can’t wait.”
JULIUS
Koen Brouwer – vocals and acoustic guitar
Erik Meereboer – guitar and synths
Michiel Rietveld – acoustic guitar and bass