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

Members

• Janne Strömstedt
• Kjell-Erik Eriksson
• Gustav Hylén
• Björn Höglund
• Jens Comén
• Pedro Blom
• Bo Lindberg

• hovendroven.com
• sv.wikipedia.org