blast away, fellas
Joost van Es is a violinist extraordinaire and bandleader of the group Four Wheel Drive, Best European Bluegrass Band in 2002 (IBMA). He has worked with the likes of guitarist Steve Pettico and singer-songwriter James Talley.
Janos Koolen plays mandolin, banjo, guitar and clarinet. He is also a composer and producer with his own studio. Being a versatile musician, Janos plays many styles and has worked with pop artists and orchestras like the Brussels Philharmonic.
Imagine a quartette, dedicated to playing acoustic music on bluegrass instruments - and also featuring the unusual sounds of theremin, musical saw, and clarinet. Taking their name from John Hartford’s Steam Powered Airplane, Steam Power aren't exactly
an old style serious bluegrass band, the songs are originals contributed by each of the four. Songs in English, some in their native Dutch, some in a more traditional style, and some a tad unusual. An evening with Steam Power will transport you to happy musical places.
Fay Lovsky plays bass, musical saw and lots more. Wrote Xmas song in the 80‘s that became evergreen in the Lowlands, and "History repeats itself" used in Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" Performed as singer guest of Pat Metheny’s at the North Sea Jazz festival.
Laurens Joensen is a versatile guitarist and songwriter, won the public’s acclaim prize in the finals of the prestigious “Cameretten” comedian concours in 2001. Writes songs for theatre, television, and friends. Had a number one hit in Far Oër isles last summer (july 2019).
Klankgat review “Steam Power, tight group of musicians. The best the Netherlands have to offer in the field of Bluegrass” Follows a summing up and description of the songs we did live
Moorsmagazine write: “SteamPower is a Dutch acoustic band of absolute international class. Their business card is the first song on the album, ‘Sideman blues’, jokingly describing their previous musical career as sidemen, and their ambition to do their own music. Which is their true story: four friends finding each other in their music, picking up an instrument and gathering around one microphone. Each one a songwriter of different plumage, but unified in their sound together...”
“....apart from their musician’s qualities, the main thing is their joy in playing together, which makes this a scintillating feelgood album”
Review of concert in the “Meurs Mondays” series in Eindhoven. Some quotes:
“...since the album came out the group have penned quite a number of new songs, which make me eager for the follow-up of the first album.” “their version of bluegrass has jazzy notes, and influences that can be traced back to Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas...”
