Kingfisher Sky
Encyclopedia
Kingfisher Sky is a Dutch
progressive metal
band from The Hague, South Holland. Their debut album Hallway of Dreams, was released in October 2007 on Suburban Records.
founded it in 2001 after having left Within Temptation
to pursue his own musical interests. The music of Kingfisher Sky can not be related to one single genre
. Too widespread are the musical influences of de Graaf and singer/songwriter Judith Rijnveld, ranging from Porcupine Tree
to Cecilia Bartoli
and from Kate Bush
to traditional folk music
.
Ivar and Judith started recording songs in their home studio in 2005. A record deal with Suburban Records was signed in 2006. Bassist
Eric Hoogendoorn joined the band first. Next joined guitarist Daan Janzing who was introduced to Kingfisher Sky by Ruud Jollie (Within Temptation). George van Olffen on keyboards
followed soon after. Edo van der Kolk on guitar
completed the band for the time being. He had played a solo
on the demo version of Through My Eyes and had already known Ivar for fifteen years.
The first album Hallway of Dreams was recorded in 2007 and released in October of the same year. It was produced by Jochem Jacobs
from Textures (band)
and Bouke Visser (Split Second Sound). Since then the band has completed numerous shows in the Netherlands
both as headliner and support for related bands such as Delain
and Epica
.
Within the scope of a special show
in their hometown Kingfisher Sky was joined by classical cellist Maaike Peterse who played along on Big Fish. As this cooperation
proved to be very successful Maaike soon became the seventh band member.
In March 2008 Laser’s Edge records released Hallway of Dreams in the United States
(Riverside, Zero Hour). Japan
followed in 2008 (Disk Union). It was also released on Vinyl by Tonefloat Records (Porcupine Tree, Roger Waters). Meanwhile Hallway of Dreams is also available in United Kingdom
, Italy
, France
and Germany
.
George van Olffen left the band in July 2009 to pursue other musical interests. With David Gutierrez Rojas the band found a new keyboardist in November 2009. In April 2010 the band announced that guitarist Daan Janzing was about to leave Kingfisher Sky in order to fully concentrate on his other band My Favorite Scar. The new guitarist is Chris Henny.
Kingfisher Sky released their 2nd album 'Skin of The Earth' on the 23rd September.
and traditional folk influences collided with Judith's classical
conservatory background, and also her preference for soul
and artists like Aretha Franklin
. Combined with their mutual love for bands and artists like Porcupine Tree
, Jethro Tull
, Peter Gabriel
, Kate Bush
and Tori Amos
, new songs were written.
Former Band Members
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band from The Hague, South Holland. Their debut album Hallway of Dreams, was released in October 2007 on Suburban Records.
History
Kingfisher Sky is a Dutch gothic/progressive rock band. Ivar de GraafIvar de Graaf
Ivar de Graaf is the founder and drummer of the Dutch progressive metal band Kingfisher Sky, but best known as the former drummer of successful the Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation.-Early career:...
founded it in 2001 after having left Within Temptation
Within Temptation
Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic gothic metal/rock band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a...
to pursue his own musical interests. The music of Kingfisher Sky can not be related to one single genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
. Too widespread are the musical influences of de Graaf and singer/songwriter Judith Rijnveld, ranging from Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
to Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli is an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist. She is best-known for her interpretation of the music of Mozart and Rossini, as well as for her performances of lesser-known Baroque and classical music...
and from Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
to traditional folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
.
Ivar and Judith started recording songs in their home studio in 2005. A record deal with Suburban Records was signed in 2006. Bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Eric Hoogendoorn joined the band first. Next joined guitarist Daan Janzing who was introduced to Kingfisher Sky by Ruud Jollie (Within Temptation). George van Olffen on keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
followed soon after. Edo van der Kolk on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
completed the band for the time being. He had played a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
on the demo version of Through My Eyes and had already known Ivar for fifteen years.
The first album Hallway of Dreams was recorded in 2007 and released in October of the same year. It was produced by Jochem Jacobs
Jochem Jacobs
Jochem Jacobs is a Dutch guitarist, producer and recording engineer, noted for his work as founder, guitarist and producer for Textures. He works at Split Second Sound, a studio in Amsterdam, and is currently working on Textures' upcoming album to be released with Nuclear Blast...
from Textures (band)
Textures (band)
Textures is a metal band from the Netherlands, formed in 2001. Textures' lineup revolves around founding members Jochem Jacobs, Stef Broks, Bart Hennephof, and bassist Remko Tielemans who joined in 2007...
and Bouke Visser (Split Second Sound). Since then the band has completed numerous shows in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
both as headliner and support for related bands such as Delain
Delain
Delain is a Dutch symphonic metal band. The band was founded by the ex-keyboardist of Within Temptation, Martijn Westerholt.-Founding:Delain was founded by Martijn Westerholt and Charlotte Wessels. Westerholt is the ex-keyboardist and brother of one of the founders of Within Temptation, Robert...
and Epica
Epica (band)
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
.
Within the scope of a special show
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
in their hometown Kingfisher Sky was joined by classical cellist Maaike Peterse who played along on Big Fish. As this cooperation
Cooperation
Cooperation or co-operation is the process of working or acting together. In its simplest form it involves things working in harmony, side by side, while in its more complicated forms, it can involve something as complex as the inner workings of a human being or even the social patterns of a...
proved to be very successful Maaike soon became the seventh band member.
In March 2008 Laser’s Edge records released Hallway of Dreams in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Riverside, Zero Hour). Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
followed in 2008 (Disk Union). It was also released on Vinyl by Tonefloat Records (Porcupine Tree, Roger Waters). Meanwhile Hallway of Dreams is also available in United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
George van Olffen left the band in July 2009 to pursue other musical interests. With David Gutierrez Rojas the band found a new keyboardist in November 2009. In April 2010 the band announced that guitarist Daan Janzing was about to leave Kingfisher Sky in order to fully concentrate on his other band My Favorite Scar. The new guitarist is Chris Henny.
Kingfisher Sky released their 2nd album 'Skin of The Earth' on the 23rd September.
Style
Ivar's progressive rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
and traditional folk influences collided with Judith's classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
conservatory background, and also her preference for soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and artists like Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
. Combined with their mutual love for bands and artists like Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
, Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
and Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
, new songs were written.
Line-up
Current band members- Judith Rijnveld – vocals
- Ivar de GraafIvar de GraafIvar de Graaf is the founder and drummer of the Dutch progressive metal band Kingfisher Sky, but best known as the former drummer of successful the Dutch rock/metal band Within Temptation.-Early career:...
– drums - Edo van der Kolk – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Chris Henny – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Maaike Peterse – celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
- Eric Hoogendoorn – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- David Gutierrez Rojas - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
Former Band Members
- Dann Janzing - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...