Savk

Raw, rough, uncomfortably honest, fast and violent, then suddenly smooth and soaring. SAvK wears his heart on his sleeve, then throws it, still beating, at the audience. This Canadian act uses deep rooted flavours and combines it with international inspirations to perfectly depict his home sound. Begining as a solo act for Stephen van Kampen after the demise of Calgary’s rock and roll orchestra “Beija Flor” SAVK’s debut self titled release is a study in vulnerable live folk rock. Now joined by an amazing team of musicians including Paul van Kampen (The Magnetic North, Beija Flor), Brett Gunther (Beija Flor, Buzzing Bees), Stefan Smith (Crescent Heights, Coldwater) and Matt Chaplin (Prairie of Prax, Joule). SAVK is now releasing their much anticipated sophomore record “Love Letters and Hate Mail” to rave reviews. Major Performance Credits Include, but are not limited to: 2013 Break Out West Festival 2013 Alberta Flood Aid Concert with “The Sheepdogs”, “Tom Cochrane”, “Jann Arden”, “Nickelback” and “Ian Tyson”. 2012 Feature Performer at “6 String Nation” concert at the Canada Music Centre. 2011 Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Contest Finalist 2010 Sled Island Music Festival in Calgary AB 2010 Trans Canada Alberta Music Series at the Epcor Centre in Calgary 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards Festival in Edmonton Alberta 2008 Juno Fest With the Sadies 2008 Calgary Folk Music Festival (With Beija Flor, and collaborations with Jim Cuddy, The Weakerthans and Greg MacPherson) SAVK's greatest inspirations: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Feist, Neil Young, Radiohead, Devendra Banhart, Nick Drake, Red House Painters, Animal Collective, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Billy Holiday, The White Stripes, Simon and Garfunkle, Nirvana, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, The Clash and everyone he has played with over the years. Confused? It’s best to just give SAVK listen. Praise: "... A showcase of formidable musical talent... Will make an indelible mark on the nation's music scene." -Spencer Brown BEATROUTE "... His guitar weaves effortlessly around the beautifully constructed vocal melodies... van Kampen remains crisp and clear in the foreground. It’s a position he’d better get used to." -Peter Hemminger, FFWD "...van Kampen's distinct, raspy yet-soothing voice on the record strikes the same chord in my heart as Beija Flor did. However, SAVK Captures a much more intimate side of van Kampen, while still possessing the same precisely mastered songwriting." -Sara Mohan BEATROUTE "Armed with a small arsenal of acoustic instruments on stage as cover, SAVK offers a chance to explore his musical vision, sharing it with an audience that understands raw, honest emotion. Firmly rooted in folk, his simple melodies emphasize his old soul." -SB, SLED ISLAND Savk immediately pulls you in with the smoothness of his old-rock‘n’roll-infused style and the genius pace of his guitar strumming fingers. The talents of this man are generous, particularly when seen in a live setting, and his musical creations are an essential contribution to Calgary’s indie-folk-rock scene. -THWUNK.COM Order S.A.V.K.'s brand new album now! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-letters-and-hate-mail/id692150681