Curly Strings takes first at EWOB ’16

This report on last weekend’s 2016 EWOB festival in Europe is a contribution from Jos van der Lelie, host of the All Around Bluegrass and Master’s Garden programs on The Bluegrass Mix.

Curly Strings rejoices in their EWOB Awards under the bright Netherlands sky (May 2016)At the annual European World Of Bluegrass festival in Voorthuizen, The Netherlands, Curly Strings of Estonia was crowned European Bluegrass Band 2016 on Saturday, May 7.

The day before, on Friday the 6th, the band had already picked up the Liz Meyer European Innovation of Bluegrass Music Award.

The band consists of Eeva Talsi (fiddle), Villu Talsi (mandolin), Jalmar Vabarna (guitar) and Taavet Niller (double bass).

At the Estonian Music Awards in 2015 the band had already collected prizes for best debut album, best album, best newcomer and best song for Kauges kolas (In a distant village).

 

Their debut on the EWOB stage was overwhelming. Although their lyrics are entirely in the Estonian language, which is hardly spoken in other European countries, the audience closed them in their hearts. Their repertoire consists entirely of their own original material and the lyrics, written in cooperation with prolific Estonian poets, are often socially relevant.

Stunned by the unexpected succes of their trip to The Netherlands, the band has now earned the right to return next year to play the final evening of EWOB without having to qualify. Also they will travel to the USA in September of 2017.

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About the Author

Jos van der Lelie

Jos van der Lelie is from The Netherlands, Europe. He grew up with traditional country and bluegrass music. He was a DJ for The Bluegrass Mix from 2011 until they folded in 2016. He now broadcasts for CountryLand Radio, a weekly 2 hour show with country and bluegrass music on Dutch local radio, also aired through the internet and on a number of stations in New Zealand, Japan and Canada. He is also involved in the European bluegrass scene as an MC for the annual EWOB festivals.