Twang(US/DK)

A new take on North American folk music! With humor and warmth, the three musicians in Twang take the stage, gathering around their shared microphone. Twang’s lineup—guitar, fiddle, banjo, double bass, and vocal harmonies—truly captures the essence of American folk music. At the same time, the trio is known for blending different styles and eras, from jazz to Appalachian music and fiddle-based hip-hop beats. Their original songs range from deeply raw melancholy to lively, humorous, and satirical hits.

Twang consists of Thyge Van Dassen (fiddle, vocals), Spencer Gross (guitar, bass, vocals), and Peter Banks (banjo, bass, vocals), with roots in Denmark and the USA. Since 2014, they have played countless concerts and created a unique sound and atmosphere, using skilled improvisation to both entertain and challenge their audience. The band met as students at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen (RMC), where all three stood out for their interest in American folk music. The trio has always been committed to challenging the folk music scene and bringing something new to the tradition. This work has so far resulted in hundreds of concerts around Denmark and three albums: Bebzy Biddle (2017), the live album Live Tapes Volume 1 (2019), and the collaborative album Svante Sjöblom & Twang (2022).

In 2023, Twang played two sold-out concerts at the prestigious Tønder Festival in Denmark. The same year, they also delivered a memorable performance at the Danish Music Awards Blues show in Randers, where they were praised by media, audiences, and industry members alike for their outstanding performance: “The virtuosic and wonderfully unpretentious Twang gained many new fans with their sublime fusion of blues and bluegrass.” – Michael Gonzalez (Music Manager at Turbinen, Randers).

Twang received the Danish Music Award in 2024 for “Best Roots Artist” and were nominated for “Best Song” with their track UFO from the album Propaganda, as well as for “Best Composer.”

On stage:
Thyge Van Dassen – fiddle and vocals
Spencer Gross – guitar, bass, and vocals
Peter Banks – banjo, bass, and vocals