April 19–26, 2001

music picks|folk/world

Hoven Droven

Just because Hoven Droven’s fiddler Kjell-Erik Eriksson is part of the pristine, purely Swedish traditional acoustic trio Triakel doesn’t mean you should expect more of the same at the Gild Hall. Far from it. Hoven Droven is variously translated as "helter skelter" or "whatever," which should give you some indication of their attitude. Think loud, think stormy, think ear-piercing guitars with thumping bass, intense percussion and sinewy sax. All this power is applied to traditional Swedish dances. Unlike their new CD, More Happy Moments (Northside), the live show includes no singers. Just as well, that kind of volume turns words to mush. These boys will teach you how hard and heavy Sweden can rock, while still audibly retaining its identity. We are told that at home Hoven Droven moves folks of all ages, some of whom even know the real steps to all those old polskas.

—Mary Armstrong

Thu., April 19, 8 p.m.,$20 in advance, $24 at the door, The Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway, Arden, DE, 302-475-6920, www.ardenclub.com.