Exiting Irish, English and Scottish folk with a touch of jazz and some texas flavours, played by young but virtuoso musicians from Holland. Their different musical backgrounds result in a fresh and intriguing sound.

14 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Traditional Folk, FOLK: Power-folk



Details:
* History *

Having played with quite a few traditional music groups on the Dutch folk scene, Sjoerd van Ravenzwaaij, Vincent Pompe van Meerdervoort and Douwe Meijer decided it was time to start a group that would sound different, so in the beginning of 2005 Harmony Glen was founded.

In the beginning the idea was to start a traditional Irish chamber orchestra which would play traditional music in an easy, laid- back way, making it fit for easy listening, dinner and party background music.

But things turned out very differently...

When Nienke Bijker and Dominique Bentvelsen joined the band, the group soon found it was quite impossible to them to play Irish music without the liveliness, tenderness, haunting energy and special feeling that was to become so characteristic to the sound of the band.
Douwe decided to leave the group, but with Miriam Kavana (formerly of Shane McGowan & The Pogues, Alias Ron Kavana band) as band coach and regular guest musician the Harmony Glen sound soon became even more energetic, catchy and haunting. When not much later Mike Bruinsma joined the group, new 'texas' and jazzy flavours were added to the sound, which completed the rich mixture of musical styles:

Since the musicians in the group have musical backgrounds varying from classical music to old style Jazz and Dixieland, Harmony Glenâs fresh and unique interpretation of traditional and contemporary Irish music touches the heart and soul of anyone.


* Album *

Their debut album Before Dawn was recieved very well internationally and set the band touring Ireland and the UK within half a year after it's release...

Some review exerpts:

"Dutch folk group Harmony Glen are sure to win a swathe of Australian fans with their new CD, Before Dawn. "
-- FolkAustralia.com

"Harmony Glen clearly wants to add something new to the mountain of Celtic music CD's and they do succeed, in my opinion. They are not just copying tracks; because of the different backgrounds of the musicians there is room to handle the material in a playful way, which results in a fresh sound. The group has heart for the music, and that's what it is all about in this style of music eventually"
-- FolkForum.nl

"Mostly Irish and Scottisch and American Traditionals, rhythmic, powerfull and sweet at the same time, played by five plus two young Dutchmen with Accordeon, Banjo, Double Bass, Guitars, Bodhrán, Fiddle and Vocals are put together on this first class debut album."
-- Folker! (German folk magazine)

"They can be the best Dutch band playing Irish music within years"
-- New Folk Sounds (Dutch folk magazine)

* Band Members *

Dominique Bentvelsen: Double Bass
Nienke Bijker: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Vincent Pompe van Meerdervoort: Box, Bodhrán, Lead Vocals
Sjoerd van Ravenzwaaij: Banjo, Guitar, Vocals
Mike Bruinsma: Fiddle, Vocals
Band coach and regular guest musician: Miriam Kavana: Fiddle


* Website *

On their website www.harmonyglen.com you can find more info, audio and video downloads, news, and their concert agenda. Leave a note in the guestbook if you like!

www.harmonyglen.com