SVÄNG (on tour)
Harmonica attack from the north
Sväng's debut album, released in 2004, was an instant success and has already achieved fame around the world. Following successful tours around the USA, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary and Japan, including many radio and television appearances, in March 2008 Sväng released their second album Jarruta. Perhaps their strong appeal can be attributed to the novelty of the ensemble sound coupled with their unique program of virtuoso Balkan rhythms, swinging ragtime, passionate tango, world music from the North and wild improvisations. A spectacle that must be witnessed live!
Dr. Jouko Kyhälä, who was teaching harmonica at the Sibelius Academy, teamed up with two of his students, Eero Turkka and Eero Grundström, to re-vitalize this bizarre, yet strangely appealing, form of ensemble. The concept was fulfilled when they were joined by veteran bass harp player Pasi Leino. The grounding element in this unique mixture of styles is the groove created by the rare chord harmonica Harmonetta and the incredibly low bass harmonica. The swinging groove and virtuoso soloists may appear somewhat nostalgic but inspired improvisations and a frantic stage manner bring this musical style bang up to date.The music of Sväng is influenced by traditional musics of many cultures and from jazz and popular music. Sväng has been nominated Band of the year at the Kaustinen Folk Festival 2005, has toured Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Japan and appeared at official womex showcase in 2007.Press
“A Finnish harmonica quartet! They might sound like a novelty act, but Sväng are writing and playing music that's surprisingly strong on melancholy and pathos. Of course, there's also a great sense of humour and enjoyment in the extraordinary sounds that they bring out of an undervalued instrument - although the word harmonica rather undersells the large bass instrument and chromatic models they've developed.They also write some pretty catchy tunes. Like most of the musicians on the inventive Finnish folk scene, the four members of Svang - Jouko Kyhala, Eero Grundstrom, Pasi Leino and Eero Turkka - have come out of Helsinki's Sibelius Academy. It's probably safe to say they're the world's leading mouth-organ ensemble.” London Evening Standard
„Sväng has shown what delightful possibilities abound when the medium of the harmonica quartet finds itself in sophisticated yet fun-loving hands.“ Sing Out
“Absolutely packed with energy, overflowing with zest and fire, this group really means what they play – and with much of the album being original pieces composed by the band members, there is no shortage of innovation.” CD Baby
“The point of this CD is to spread what I can only describe as wonderful and surprising music… If you´re deadest against reedy music, steer clear. But open-minded listeners and harp fans will find a lot to like in this energetic and emotionally rich album.” Spin the Globe
Discography
- Sväng (2005); Jarruta (2008) (aitorecords)