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TRACKLIST

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Let it Flow

Sirènes

Guitar Man

Heaven and Hell

Horsewind

Kevnidenn

Bird’s Eye – Opus 1

Bird’s Eye – Opus 2

Bird’s Eye – Opus 3

WATCH & LISTEN

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Story

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We’re more than happy to release the debut album by ALÓWAN on Glitterhouse Records in April 2024. „Feathers“ is the first official album from Jean Yves Tola since 16 Horsepower separated in 2005.. Chantal Acda, Calvin Dover (Dover Brothers), Steve Taylor (ex-16 Horsepower), Theo Hakola (Orchestre Rouge, Passion Fodder) and Felix Alsruhe appear as guest musicians.

ALÓWAN is the side of 16 Horsepower that has not been heard before. As a founding member of the alternative country band from Denver, Colorado, Tolas arrangements, music and influence in the band was always clearly present through their career. This is a more personal and intimate vision. In collaborations with a few friends and musicians “Feathers” is a body of work to be reckoned with. Tola presents 10 beautiful and dark folk songs. With „Feathers“, Tola shows his versatility as a composer, a producer but also as a musician. “I was always very much involved in the creative process of all the bands I have been in. Even more so with 16 Horsepower, in the writing- and arrangements process with David Eugene Edwards but also in the production and recording of the albums. I was working closely from the first take to the mastering sessions with the producers and the engineers” he says,“I ended up learning a lot and it has helped me tremendously for the realization of this project”.

Jean Yves Tola started playing music when he was six years old, learning solfege and classical music at the conservatory. Surrounded by four older siblings who all played music from piano, to guitar, to violin, and bathed in a multitude of music styles from Mozart to Dylan, Miles Davis to 70’s Rock, Jean Yves, at the age of 15, started drum lessons. He also then switched his attention to the punk rock and cold wave scene, becoming a member of several Parisian punk and rock bands until he joined Passion Fodder (former Orchestre Rouge) in the late 80s and moved to Los Angeles, following a worldwide record deal with Beggars Banquet and RCA. After three albums and a few tours, Tola moved on and joined Edward’s band, The Denver Gentleman, then also based in LA. Tola and Edwards (along with Pascal Humbert) founded 16 Horsepower shortly after.

“16 Horsepower was my life. I played in it, created and arranged the music with David, took care of the business side of things and finally also managed the band on and off the road after we left A&M Records and joined with Glitterhouse Records. It was a 24/7 deal and I loved it. Signing with Glitterhouse was a great move. The whole team was amazing to work with, very efficient, and gave us the real freedom to soar in Europe – and we did!”

Regretfully, 16 Horsepower dissolved in 2005 but gained a cult-like reputation for this genre of music in Europe and the US. To this day, their body of work is still alive, being thought out and revered by the press and the public at large. David Eugene Edwards has kept his light on with his impressive collection of Wovenhand recordings. And now Jean Yves Tola is back, too.

For the past two years, Tola has been very busy writing, recording and producing. The result is this debut album ‚Feathers‘. Each song has its own character and style but the link between them is obvious. “Chantal and I clicked right away” I liked her vocals and was not sure if she would be willing or interested to collaborate with me but she dove in right away. As we worked and talked, we soon realized how much we had in common besides the music. Horses, wolves, cold weather, nature, space”. Chantal Acda adds:“It has been wonderful working on this beautiful music. In a way exciting because this music was inviting me to do different things and adapt to Jean Yves world. Both connected through horses surrounding us, we also found ourselves in the same place while making this album. Such a joy!”

About the band name, Tola says: „ALÓWAN is Lakota Sioux and is a ceremoy involving singing over individual/s and ascribing status to him/her/them. Some people are sung over, honored, for deeds they accomplished“.