Treble

Treble was a Dutch girl group formed in 1995 by Caroline Hoffman and sisters Niña and Djem van Dijk. Treble was known for their unique style of music, often singing in a made-up “Treble language” as well as in English. 

In 1995, Caroline Hoffman met Niña and Djem van Dijk, who were young sisters, at a party. Caroline became the girls’ music teacher, and soon they formed a close-knit group. In their early years, Treble performed on the streets, harmonizing their voices and playing acoustic guitar and djembe hand drums. Their lively performances with African-style rhythms attracted a lot of attention from the public. From the beginning, the group also created songs in their own invented language, which made their music feel exotic and special. This approach showed their belief that music can express feelings even without real words.

Treble’s breakthrough came at the end of 2003 when they recorded their debut single “Ramaganana.” This catchy song turned into a major hit and reached the number one spot on the Dutch music charts. To help “Ramaganana” succeed, the trio continued performing in public and even asked people to support the song so it could become a #1 hit. The plan worked, and Treble’s popularity skyrocketed. In June 2004, the group released their first album, No Trouble, under CNR Music. The album included a mix of musical styles – from ballads to upbeat songs – showcasing Treble’s versatility. They embarked on a tour across the Netherlands and played at festivals, further solidifying their fame.

In 2006, Treble aimed for international exposure. The group brought out their second album, Free, in April 2006. That same year, Treble entered the Dutch selection for Eurovision. They won the national selection (the Nationaal Songfestival) with their song “Amambanda,” which featured lyrics in their own invented language. Winning the national vote meant Treble would represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens. The trio worked hard to promote “Amambanda” – they even traveled to many other countries in Europe to perform the song for international audiences. In May 2006, Treble performed “Amambanda” at the Eurovision semi-final. Unfortunately, they did not advance to the final, finishing 20th in the semi-final round. Despite this result, participating in Eurovision was a high point of Treble’s career and brought them wider attention.

After Eurovision, Treble’s popularity began to fade. Plans for new singles in late 2006 did not work out as hoped, and some scheduled releases were cancelled or delayed. Around the same time, Niña and Djem decided to continue their music education at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, which meant the group was less active. By the end of 2009, the three members decided it was time to end the band. Treble gave a final farewell performance in March 2010 before officially disbanding. After nearly 15 years together, the group came to a close, and the members chose to pursue their own paths in music.

Each member of Treble remained active in music after the split. Niña van Dijk continued developing her singing and in 2012 she took part in the TV talent show The Voice of Holland. She reached the live shows on that program, but was eliminated in the first round. Djem van Dijk also stayed in the music world – she performed as a singer and percussionist in new bands and musical projects in the years following Treble. Caroline Hoffman, the oldest member, continued writing songs and performing as a solo artist. While Treble as a group ended in 2010, all three women kept music in their lives. In fact, many years later they would occasionally reunite for special appearances, remembering the “Ramaganana” days that first brought them fame.