A nordic union at its finest. Small Town Orchestra features the merging of Norweigan artists and songwriters Hans Bollandsås and Helene Misund with Swedish super duo Andreas Hellkvist and Ola Bothzén. The result is a band with strong songs and lyrics as well as a powerful and dynamic output delivered with a solid groove.

This is their first album, but it has been long in the making. It is a story that has been evolving for about 10 years, and what started out as a loosely defined collaboration between Hans Bollandsås and Andreas Hellkvist now have found its form as a complete band with its own music and sound. A band where also each member is an artist in his own right.

Hans Bollandsås is a guitar player and singer with an expression that is always to the point and straight from the heart. Whatever he does, it’s with conviction — sometimes short and concise, and sometimes like a tornado sweeping through the room.

Andreas Hellkvist is emerging as one of the most versatile Hammond players out there, not only in Sweden, but also worldwide, Virtuosity, groove, playfulness and passion are some of the key words you often hear when describing him at the organ. He has a style of his own that evokes astonishment and admiration from the audience, colleagues, and reviewers alike. Not least because of a bass-playing left foot that often appears to have a life of its own.

Helene Misund has a voice that can coax out a soulful ballad but also roar in bluesy agony. In addition, she provides a steady complement to the drums with a variety of percussion instruments.

Ola Bothzén is an incredibly versatile drummer who, outside this band, is seen in a variety of settings, from jazz and Brazilian music to soul and rock. He and Andreas has been working closely together for a number of years. In Small Town Orchestra Ola keeps the band locked in the groove with a steady hand and a smile on his face.