SAvK began as a solo project for Stephen van Kampen (former band leader of Calgary Indie Rockers "Beija Flor") in 2010. As Beija Flor was coming to an end, Stephen van Kampen set out to record an 11 song folk record that brought out the softer, more intimate side of his song writing. With his critically acclaimed debut record behind him, Stephen has now rounded out his group with brother Paul van Kampen of "The Magnetic North", Stefan Smith of "Crescent Heights" and Dan Wilson of "Geist". SAvK now brings a fuller, louder sound to the stage and is working to record and release a full split 12" record with "The Magnetic North" in Autumn 2012.
Raw, rough, uncomfortably honest, fast and violent, then suddenly smooth and soaring. SAvK is a 4 piece with perfect balance between war and diplomacy. SAvK not only wears his heart on his sleeve, but rips it out and throws it, still beating, at his audience.
Major Performance Credits Include, but are not limited to:
-2010 Trans Canada Alberta Music Series at the Epcor Centre in Calgary
-2010 Sled Island Music Festival in Calgary AB
-2011 Finalist in the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Contest.
-2012 Co-headliner at "The 6 String Nation" event at Cantos Music Centre.
SAVK's greatest inspirations include: The Beatles, Gotye, 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.
"... A showcase for van Kampen's formidable musical talent... Will make an indelible mark on the nation's music scene."
-Spencer Brown BEATROUTE MAGAZINE
"... 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 MAGAZINE
"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 MUSIC FESTIVAL
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