Maartje received a grant for developing her next EP. Following queer-joy pop songs like Uitweg and Dunne lijn, Maartje is taking a new direction, confronting themes that were once too painful to face. On her upcoming EP, she sings about queerness, shame, grief, and connection — but always from deep within. Each track will be accompanied by its own visual world and launched through intimate pop-up shows in unexpected locations: from a traditional pub in Staphorst to a wine shop in Amsterdam. Maartje finds her kindred spirits on social media, but seeks real connection.Maartje is the shame of the village. In sharp-witted pop songs about growing up in a place where you’re afraid to be yourself — or where you’d rather be rescued from the ball pit that is adult life — she sings about ordinary things, always from the gut. With her band, she has already toured with Popronde and performed at ESNS.