Artist description "Nashville's most inventive and literate folk-rocker...his captivating story songs, shaded with gospel and psychedelia, are thoroughly distinctive, in a genre that typically relies on tradition and plainness. If you haven't caught up to Hoekstra yet, now's the time to start lending an ear; you probably haven't heard anything quite like him." (Noel Murray, Nashville Scene)

Music Style Unique blend of narrative alternative folk,pop,rock,and soul

Musical Influences Bob Dylan, the Beatles, early reggae, Al Green, Van Morrison, Cole Porter, Charles Bukowski, Akira Kurosawa, Buster Keaton, D.H.Lawrence

Similar Artists Leonard Cohen, Beck, Bob Dylan, Ray Davies, Nick Drake, Ani DiFranco, Patty Larkin

Artist History Doug Hoekstra is an artist who redefines the notion of acoustic singer-songwriter. His work incorporates unusual rhythms and avant-garde arrangement touches, to transform his moody ballads and uptempo pop-rockers into daring but approachable artsongs. Hoekstra's second CD, "Rickety Stairs" was nominated for a Nashville Music Award, for Best Folk Album of 1996; "Make Me Believe," the subsequent release earned 'first-phase' Grammy nominations in three categories in 1999, and garnered distribution in Europe via Round Tower Music. The latest CD, "Around the Margins" was released in 2001 to widespread critical acclaim in the United States, U.K. and Netherlands -- including high praise in international press such as Billboard, CD Now, Mojo, and Uncut -- and was almost immediately followed by a well-received limited edition live CD. He has toured the United States, and U.K. extensively, appearing in clubs, festivals, showcases, and syndicated radio programs, including repeated performances at SXSW, Acoustic Café, and World Café. Hoekstra has product endorsements with Breedlove Guitars, Mountain Amps, and Elixir Strings. In a bit of the most recent news, Hoekstra signed an administration deal with Bug Music, landed among five finalists in the 2001 national Independent Music Awards (for "Around the Margins"), and is finalizing details on an extensive autumnal European tour, with dates in Holland, Belgium, England, and Ireland. Doug's also a short story writer with a collection of published and unpublished pieces on the way. Check out www.doughoekstra.com for more information.

Group Members Recording began on "Around the Margins" when Hoekstra friend and collaborator Dr. Jeff Kowalkowski (known for his keyboard prowess and avant-work with his own Jack the Dog, Pauline Oliveras, and others) invited him up to his brand-new Mondale Oakdale studios in Chicago for a series of artist-in-residence marathon recording sessions. In addition to Doug and Jeff playing whatever they could handle, a wide variety of guest artists chipped in, including master composer, and Hat Art Recording Artist Guillermo Gregorio (alto sax and clarinet), Pat Meusel (guitar, bass, and vox), Allison Stanley (clarinet and percussion), Anthony Zator (trumpet), Tina Paulson (viola), Colleen Burke Kave' (vox), and the German Composers Choir of Marko Ciciliani, Jan Feddersen, and Alexandra Gramatke. Afterwards, Hoekstra decided to do some more tracking in Nashville, at George Marinelli's Wingding Studio. The Wingding fun found a crack rhythm section of Hoekstra (acoustic guitar), Waldo LaTowsky (drums), and Pat Meusel (bass and guitar) whipping through several songs. The frosting came later, withthe amazing vocal contributions from former Fisk Jubilee Singers Antonio Meeks and Nirva Dorsaint, odds and ends from Pat, Doug, and Kave', and of course - the estimable handiwork of Mr. Marinelli, a studio cat deluxe (Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, and his own Air Parma) who added a plethora of instruments and production savvy. Cover art for the record was created by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, purveyor of Big Cat Press and cover man to the likes of Steve Earle, the Neville Brothers, and others.

Instruments You name it - loops, strings, horns, acoustic and electric guitars - gospel choirs, avant-scoring and a touch of twang

Albums The Past is Never Past (2001, Europe only), Around the Margins (2001) Make Me Believe (1999), Rickety Stairs (1996) When the Tubes Begin to Glow (1994)

Press Reviews Critics rave about Hoekstra's work and you can sample loads of regional, national and international praise at www.doughoekstra.com. Some say Hoekstra is "a bard for the new century" (Alison King, ESP NC) or "a rare and original talent who finds the humanity in the everyday task of living." Some say "no category is every going to adequately summarise the diversity and ambition which is displayed here, so let's not even try. Doug Hoekstra is in a league of his own.' (John Lonergan, Revolutionsuk.com)or that Hoekstra's music is "indefinably rare...and reaches an artistic level that probably surprises Hoekstra himself, a role model for the next generation of up-and-comers."(Fred Mills, Phoenix New Times

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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