Toine - between notes and moments

In the centre of The Hague, on a quiet Sunday morning, we met Toine at Restaurant Haper. A place that feels personal - not just because of its location, but because it belongs to a friend of his. With the city still at ease, it became the setting for a slower moment: writing, playing, and reflecting. 

Born and raised in The Hague, Toine has been connected to music from an early age. He picked up the guitar at fourteen and has been performing ever since. What started as a personal interest gradually developed into something broader - a way of working, creating, and building. 

Today, his work stretches across different parts of the music world. As a vocalist and guitarist, he performs his own material, while also organizing initiatives like Jazz en Route and working as a programmer for the New Tide Festival - both rooted in the city he calls home. Alongside this, he plays club shows across the Netherlands and beyond, including performances in Germany, and has supported artists such as Candy Dulfer. 

His debut EP found its way onto national radio, with regular airplay on stations like Sublime, NPO Radio 2, and Veronica. One of his singles reached a wider audience through Radio 10 and the NPO Radio 2 Soul & Jazz charts - a natural step in a trajectory that continues to grow steadily. 

What stands out in Toine's story is not just the music itself, but the way he moves through it. There is a sense of independence - of building something step by step, staying close to what feels right, and creating space for others along the way. 

We photographed Toine in a moment that reflects that rhythm. Sitting at a table, writing lyrics, picking up his guitar - a quiet process behind something that eventually reaches a stage. It's in these in-between moments where things take shape. 

His music has been part of our daily environment for some time - playing in the background of both our store and office. It's a natural connection: a shared appreciation for process, for detail, and for doing things with intention. 

If you ever find yourself in The Hague, take the time to slow down. And if you hear familiar sounds in the background, there's a good chance it might be Toine. 

More information about Toine: https://www.toinemusic.com/

Clothing: The Good People, Pannekoekstraat 52a in Rotterdam, https://thegoodpeople.com/ and clothing from Toine

Photography: Joey van Dongen, https://www.cloudcuckoo.nl/

Shoot location: Restaurant Harper, Plaats 25, The Hague