Cloudy Blue

**Cloudy Blue** was an Ardwallian pop group active from their formation in 2001 until breaking up in 2005. The group was first formed on the singing-reality series *Music Factory*, where the winners chosen by the Ardwallian public were given the opportunity to form a pop group signed to Polla Music and Mammoth Music Ardwall–Porgium. The group's original members were vocalists Valentijn Boevink, Annemarieke Fobers-Olijslag, Juliette Krauss, Eliza Polder, Christiaan Stroo, Sebastiaan van Dijk, and Carolien Vastslavers. Krauss left the group to pursue a solo career in 2003.

After their formation in the finale of *Music Factory*, the group released their first single "Forever," which became their first chart-topping hit in their home country. After going on a small promotional tour to promote *Music Factory* and "Forever," the group released "A Moment like This" as the lead single to their upcoming debut studio album in November 2001. The song became a top ten hit in Ardwall, and its ensuing parent album *The Power of Seven* (2001) went on to debut at number-one. The group then embarked on The Power of Seven Tour (2001–02), which performed shows in Ardwall, Porgium, and Elinwe. They returned with the release of the single "Skyscraper" in February 2003, which became their second number-one hit. It was followed by the release of their sophomore studio album *Another Way* (2003), which became the second highest selling album of the year in both Ardwall and Porgium. They promoted the album with the Skyscraper Tour (2003).

Following the completion of the Skyscraper Tour in August 2003, Krauss confirmed that she would be leaving the group in order to pursue a solo career. For months, tabloid speculation emerged that there was much ill-will between Krauss and her former bandmates, with rumors flying that she had failed to inform them that she was leaving the group or that she had been in talks to sign a solo deal until the announcement was made public. Considered the unofficial leader of the group, Krauss's numerous solos were taken over by Fobers-Olijslag, who assumed her position as the group's primary vocalist. The group released their first single since Krauss's departure "I Surrender" in June 2004, which became their third and final number-one hit. The song was included on their final studio album *Morningstar* (2004), which saw the group adopt a folk-pop sound and more of a bohemian image. After *Morningstar* failed to achieve the commercial success of its predecessors or lead single, their final tour was abruptly canceled. In February 2005, Fobers-Olijslag confirmed that she'd be pursuing a solo career. Two months later, both van Dijk and Vastslavers had confirmed that the group had officially disbanded, having been dropped from their label after the release of *Morningstar*.

## Members

* **Valentijn Boevink**, born  (1978-03-29) 29 March 1978 (age 45), is originally from Zoetervorden. He attended Windhof Music School, graduating in 1996. After graduating, he performed as a street busker, model, and actor, until auditioning for *Music Factory* during their open audition in Windhof, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.
* **Annemarieke Fobers-Olijslag**, born  (1982-04-18) 18 April 1982 (age 41), is originally from Grovoren. She studied a second tier program in economics and social sciences at Grovoren Gymnasium, graduating in 2001. She auditioned for *Music Factory* during their open audition in Amsterdert, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.
* **Juliette Krauss**, born  (1979-06-07) 7 June 1979 (age 44), is originally from The Hidewind. She attended Toon te Groot Hulsens Music School, graduating in 1997. After graduating, she performed in local musical theatre productions in The Hidewind, until auditioning for *Music Factory* during their open audition in The Hidewind. She ultimately was eliminated from the competition in the finale, but was chosen by the judges to join the group regardless, making it a seven-piece group instead of the planned six.
* **Eliza Polder**, born  (1981-12-22) 22 December 1981 (age 42), is originally from Amsterdert. She attended the Royal Ardwallian School of Dance, graduating in 2000. Afterwards, she enrolled in Carl-Johannes University to study dance, but dropped out in her first semester to film *Music Factory*. She auditioned for *Music Factory* during their open audition in Amsterdert, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.
* **Christiaan Stroo**, born  (1979-09-02) 2 September 1979 (age 44), is originally from Devendoorn. He studied a second tier program in mathematics and natural sciences at Devendoorn Gymnasium, graduating in 1998. He then moved to The Hidewind to study medicine at The Hidewind International University, but dropped out in his third year to film *Music Factory*. He auditioned for *Music Factory* during their open audition in The Hidewind, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.
* **Sebastiaan van Dijk**, born  (1979-05-10) 10 May 1979 (age 44), is originally from Arneneuzen. He studied a first tier program in economics and social sciences at Kasper Koek School, graduating in 1998. He then worked odd jobs and as a part-time musician, until auditioning for *Music Factory* during their open audition in Amsterdert, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.
* **Carolien Vastslavers**, born  (1980-01-29) 29 January 1980 (age 43), is originally from Busa, Elinwe. Her father is Ardwallian, while her mother is Elinwean. When she was four years old, the family left Elinwe and settled in Laagedert. She attended the Laagedert Academy of Music, graduating in 1998. She auditioned for *Music Factory* during their open audition in Laagedert, ultimately being voted into the group by the Ardwallian public.

## Discography

*Main article: Cloudy Blue discography*

* *The Power of Seven* (2001)
* *Another Way* (2003)
* *Morningstar* (2004)

## Concert tours

* The Power of Seven Tour (2001–02)
* Skyscraper Tour (2003)

## Awards and nominations

*Main article: Awards and nominations received by Cloudy Blue*