SOULDIERS NEWS:
23-06-08 ------------------------------------------------------------
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Welcome at the Souldiers MySpace!
BIO
Toured around the Northwest of the States, now negotiating with local record company's and recording!
We Have Some new video's on youtube, here we are celebrating the summer on the 'Parade' and have some
wild energyflow! ;-)
Dance to the Music
The Souldiers are a unique group of young musicians with an eclectic background in varying styles of folk, New orleans funk, soul and rhythm and blues. Focussing on both the tradition of this music as well as drawing influence and creating original material inspired by it, the Souldiers aim to develop their own sound in similar fashion to ..the Band.. who took notice and paid respect to the rich musical heritage of American folk and popular music.
History
Founder Joost played in his family band ..de Van Dijck Band.. with his sisters Floor, Sofie and Cato for years, learning the trade of live performing and general musicianship. Under the guidance of their father, Paul, the foundation was laid for their unique family blend of harmony vocals.
In 2003 Joost hooked up with old time buddy, Daniel de Vries from New Zealand, and together they embarked on a musical journey discovering the mysteries of groove. Assisted by legendary Frank Sutherland, early indo-dutch exponent of country blues guitar going way back to the sixties.
In the course of that year they decided to form a band.
With Joost on guitar and securing joint lead vocals with Cato and Sofie.
This early inception of the band was ..the Soldiers in the army of love.. formed in early 2005. Armed with a repertoir of funk, socially conscious lyrics and original material the band hit the road. A brief split due to members being involved in other projects lead to a halt in proceedings.
Soon a new line up emerged with the addition of Chris Dros and Aldo Hakman ..boards and van Dijck sister Floor on bass and backing vocals. Now our new bandmember Xander Vrienten plays the bass.
The realisation of a genuine and inspired vision was cultivated, thereby giving birth to a new horizon of possibilities and exploration of a wider range of music.So now they are back with a firm grip on the musical torch that giveth light to those who are in need. Everything from a quick fix of funk to a heartfelt soulful solution you name it the souldiers have got it.
The Souldiers are..
Joost has returned behind the drumset to unleash a groove onslaught reminiscent of Al Jackson, of Booker T, Stax and Hi Records fame.
Also he..s renowned for his New Orleans second line drumming.
Shares Lead and backing vocal duties on all songs. Fittingly for a multi instrumentalist he switches to guitar, mandolin and keyboards when required.
Joining ..boards is Chris Dros, switching from piano and organ. He is firmly rooted in blues, New Orleans and boogie piano styles of Dr. John and James Booker.
On guitar Daniel brings all the grit of a country blues player, funk chops from the swamp and lead work along the lines of BB king and Albert King.
On Lead Vocals, the mercurial Cato. A keen singer from an early age that has now developed into a formidable performer with all the guts of a Tina Turner and the haunting intimacy of Joni Mitchell.
Sofie on backing vocals, completing the three part harmony vocals so integral to the souldier..s sound.
Xander is our bottom heavy bassplayer with a very funky feel.
Sofie also accounts for acoustic guitar and percussion
Wilko, mister tall as trees plays alto saxophone (watch out for the Jr Walker instrumental) and keyboards.
The Souldiers play..
a repertoire of classic songs by some of the most revolutionary acts to have emerged out of american counter culture and beyond.
the list involves refreshing interpretations of material composed by the likes of ..the Band.., Sly and the family Stone, Dr.John and The Staple Singers.
Performances throughout the year of 2006 proved successful in fusing hypnotic groove with folk and pop close harmony thereby adding a new dimension in style and performance to the Amsterdam music scene.
Drawing influence from musical masterminds like Allen Toussaint and Sly Stone while introducing their own production techniques based on a solid foundation of motown, stax and the memphis sound, they hope to complete their upcoming album in the near future. All this makes for a complex and engaging aural experience, constantly evolving yet firmly entrenched in rootsy rhythm and blues.
The Souldiers are a bunch of young musicians that on stage are full of passion and energy who know what they..re about and will lay down a performance not to be forgotten.
Here some pictures of the recording process:
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Souldiers philosophy......
We live in a society where we are all too easily fall into the pit of consumerism and the only escape seems to be isolating oneself in subcultures. Here we have built up walls surrounding our perception and from within there is a pervading threat of moral ambiguity.
In the modern age where our world is getting smaller we are forced more and more to walk the line of cultural oblivion, emotional chaos and environmental disaster. It is up to all of us to find a resolution and create something in unison before we are left with nothing but mother nature..s wrath.
The souldiers aim to extinguish the ongoing climate of fear and doubt that seems to have a stronghold in today..s society.
This according to our own philosophy constitutes
an honourable pursuit of values to be found in songs of yesteryear and
commitment to a continual search for something original, authentic and heartfelt.
one of our original songs 'Lonesome George' on YouTube:
