Hoven Droven

Swedish band from Jämtland, formed in 1989, which combines folk music with modern rock into a distinctive folk rock.

The original line-up of Hoven Droven was formed at Birka Folk High School, Östersund in 1989. The members were Pedro Blom, Kjell-Erik Eriksson, Jens Comén, Björn Höglund, Martin Andersson, Annika Holmer and Sven Olofsson.

The band spent their first year indulging in various acoustic experiments based on Swedish folk music, with no other thought in mind than to have fun and learn from each other. The following year involved considerable changes: Annika and Sven quit to continue their music studies in other parts of the country and Martin's assiduous touring with his other band, Lars Vegas Trio, finally paved way for Bo Lindberg who replaced Martin in 1990. Gustav Hylén joined the band in 1991.

During the period 1991-94 the characteristic sound that today is Hoven Drovens's most distinctive feature came in to shape - the contagious mix of traditional Swedish folk, percussive excess and fierce guitars.

The band also managed to get invited to every single Swedish radio and TV-channel, that without even having released a record! A cassette "Modern Musik Från Förr" was recorded though, and sold at the band's shows.

On the band's first CD "Hia Hia" (MNW/Xource), released in 1994, there are clear traces of their acoustic background, although newer and tougher tracks like "Köttpolska" blended in well. Around this time the band started to tour diligently and before it was time to record the second album "Grov" (MNW/Xource), released in 1996, the band had given approximately 100 concerts in, among other places Norway, Denmark, Belgium and The Faroe Islands.

The extensive touring helped cultivate the band's sound and "Grov" turned out much heavier than its predecessor, and closer to the bands live sound. Sometime during this period the band also started to discuss the possibility of involving vocals in their, up to this point, entirely instrumental repertoire. But the never lasting tour duties kept postponing their next release...
In May 1997 the American record company Northside released "Groove", a compilation with material from "Hia Hia" and "Grov". As a result the band made their first visit to the U.S.A that same month. In the fall of 1997 Gustav Hylén announced that he wished to leave the band. Out of consideration to his family he wanted to cut down on the touring, and spend more time establishing his newly built recording studio in Revsund, Jämtland. However, he continued to tour until December -97, which gave the band time enough to rehearse with Gustav's replacement Jan Strömstedt. Jan, who also plays with Kell-Erik in Triakel, was an easy choice for the band. He had known the member's of the group for a long time and his organ-playing became a way to revitalize and broaden the band's sound.

After a spring and summer filled with touring in, among other places Canada, The United States and England, the band headed for Gustav's "Home Studio" to initiate work with their third album "More Happy Moments With Hoven Droven" (Home). In order to live up to their ambition of using vocal elements they re-established contact with Sofia Sandén and Ulrika Bodén who had toured with the band the previous year.
The band also convinced Stefan Sundström (one of Sweden's better known singer/songwriters) to join in, which he happily did since he and the band share a mutual love and respect for legendary Swedish actor/singer Allan Edwall. One of Edwall's songs also ended up on the album. "More happy moments with Hoven Droven" was recorded during five different periods between September -98 and June -99, all while the band kept touring.

In the beginning of 2000 when the band was facing the most intense touring summer of their career Janne leaves the band. He finds it hard to combine Hoven Droven with Triakel, plus that he runs his own business, so he decides to quit. Hoven Droven does not want to look for a replacement, and tour for the whole summer for the first time as a five piece band. In the fall of 2000 preparations begin on the new CD.

Band members since 2000:
Kjell-Erik Eriksson; fiddle
Bo Lindberg; guitar
Jens Comén; saxophones
Björn Höglund; drums and percussion
Pedro Blom; bass

Hoven Droven has...

...since the start played over 300 shows. They have toured Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, The Netherlands, The Faroe Islands, England, U.S.A, Canada, Estonia and Slovenia. ...played in front of nearly 10 000 people as opening act to Ani DeFranco at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in Canada 1998. (The day after they played in front of ten persons at a pub in Sudberry....)

In the summer of 2000 the band returned to once again play in front of 10.000 people. ...contributed eight songs to the American TV-documentary "To Build a Tall Ship". ...managed to get one concert broadcasted nationally every year since 1994. The band has also played live om American, Danish, Belgian, Estonian and Canadian radio and television. ...released their second album "Hia Hia" on cassette in Poland. ...received the 1999 Cultural Prize from Länstidningen in Östersund. ...has ever since 1993 received a government grant for tour support.