a balladeer is a Dutch band, originating from Amsterdam, formed around singer-songwriter Marinus de Goederen. In 2002, the band won the 3FM BuZz Award and the following year an award at the final of the annual Dutch musical contest De Grote Prijs van Nederland (The Big Prize of the Netherlands). In 2004 a balladeer opened up for international acts Saybia and Keane and released their first EP: 'Rumor Had It'. The EP featured 4 songs, including the critically acclaimed They've Shut Down Marks & Spencer, which resulted in considerable airplay in the Netherlands.