In a few years the name G2 will be synonymous with European bluegrass. The five band members, best friends since they met while jamming at a festival in their native Sweden four years ago, have formed the most exciting bluegrass band ever to come out of Europe. With one album under their belts, another in the works, and plans to tour extensively in the United States, G2 is poised to make a mark on the bluegrass world.
The name G2 stands for generation two. Each member of the band has a father or uncle who plays bluegrass and country music, making them the second generation of Swedish bluegrass musicians. When they played together for the first time, Christoffer Olsson, Jens Koch, Erik Igelstrøm, Tobias Strømberg, and Jimmy Sunnebrandt realized almost instantly that they had something special. They clicked musically and personally and their collaboration has quickly borne fruit.
The band's first CD, Where the Tall Grass Grows, was widely acclaimed by critics and fans alike. Bluegrass Unlimited praises the band for playing bluegrass that, "still retain(s) its original flavor without coming off as ironic or retro." The Bluegrass Blog lauds the album for capturing the band's "technical prowess." With their second release, Untapped Routes, G2 continues to develop their own unique sound with more original material written by Christoffer and honed by the group.
G2 won the #1 European Bluegrass Band title in 2007. They have already toured in America, playing festivals such as Bean Blossom, ROMP, and the IBMA Fan Fest. They have appeared on Swedish television's national morning show Nyhetsmorgon and opened up for Kris Kristofferson at the gorgeous Dalhalla amphitheater.
The next coupld of years are shaping up to be big for the band. In 2009 they again appeared at IBMA and 2010 will see an extended U.S. tour. They win new fans with every appearance. Crowds, especially younger folks, are drawn to G2's contagious enthusiasm, prodigious talent, and overwhelming joy for playing the music. They are breaking new ground as a European band in America and the world is watching!
