7even Bridges Biography
An extraordinairy biography; with a steady evolution from the early days as a coverband, to their current straddling the fine line between progressive rock and AOR means Dutch 7EVEN BRIDGES have real crossover appeal and they have put their flag in the ground as the rising stars in the world of melodic, symphonic progressive rock.7even Bridges
Every biography starts with a short intro of the band. Well, here goes: 7even Bridges are able to get to the very heart of the emotions in an exceptional way and to touch the listeners’ innermost feelings. With their passion for storytelling 7even Bridges have the courage to show who they are and what they stand for using lively music, poignant texts and headstrong distinguishable seven-part harmonies. 7even Bridges arouse emotion and challenge the listeners to find answers.
The line-up consists of Bas Rysavy (vocals and guitar), Danny Rysavy (vocals), Erik Krikke (storyteller, vocals), Fondy Hartman (guitar and vocals), Gijs Pelgrom (drums and vocals), Paul Verberne (bass and vocals) and Ton-Herman Melis (keys and vocals).
Started as a coverband in the early ’90’s the band has made a steady evolution. Since 2016 they have become well-known all over the Netherlands through their 4-year tour. They launched their first album “#Breakthesilence” in 2018. A genuine AOR-conceptalbum about
traumas with symphonic and progressive influences. Of all the nerve! The album was well received and was quoted #25 in the Dutch Charts Album Top 100 and #8 in the Dutch Vinyl Top 33.
In 2021 7even Bridges released their sophomore album Million Voices. A concept album which tells of living in a split reality. It’s a long player that deals in duality and makes for a compulsive listen. Once more the band have chosen for a genuine conceptalbum. Million Voices has been recorded and mixed in the Sound Vision Studios in Arnhem, the
Netherlands. The half-speed mastering has been taken care of by mastering-engineer Miles Showell in the famous Abbey Roads Studio in London, England.
In terms of a fully realised concept album Million Voices could quite easily rival Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime. (Peter Dennis – The Midlands Rock)
Band on a mission
7even Bridges form a band with a passion for storytelling. They toured the Netherlands four years in a row and thousands of people attended the concerts. Veteran and bandmember Erik tells about his experiences as a soldier in war-torn Afghanistan.These experiences left such deep scars in his emotional life that he returned home a different person. He fell victim to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The fight with his memories and his eroding self-image and self-confidence led him to reach a moment in his life when he was prepared to give up everything. His cry for help directed to his best friend and bandmember Bas, saved Erik’s life.
Erik has written a raw and emotional book about this period in his life. It turned out to be a bestseller. Many people have been touched and been inspired by the book. Together with 7even Bridges he went on to create a stage
concert based on his book and the show was a success as well. Erik, Bas and the band were a source of inspiration for many through their stories and music and they became the exponent of the mental healthcare in the Netherlands. Erik and Bas show the power of friendship and the music and the lyrics of 7even Bridges are imbued with this same power and zest for living. With their stage concerts they have contributed enormously to breaking the silence and the taboos.
The successes of the concerts and of Erik’s stories have not gone unnoticed. They were invited to be interviewed by many national and regional radio- and television stations. Even foreign media showed their interest a.o. The BBC. In 2019 Erik and Bas were honoured for the contribution they had made to get the Dutch veterans recognized and appreciated. They had a conversation with King Willem Alexander and the Minister of Defence.
Worldwide
The band is well disposed towards all veterans all over the world. They composed the official song for the Dutch Invictus Games Team. The Invictus Games are a gigantic sports event for soldiers who have been wounded physically as well as psychologically. The next Invictus Games are to be held in The Hague in the Netherlands.
Once more Bas and Erik have written most of the songs finding inspiration in their own lives full of emotions. On this second album thought-provoking, yet encouraging and inspiring lyrics can be heard.
The album Million Voices is being released in a time when Afghanistan is in the news once more, when old wounds are torn open again. Not only for Erik, but for all Afghan veterans all over the world, ghosts from the past lie in ambush and keep pestering them.
In a time when contrasts and differences of opinion are more apparent than ever, 7even Bridges are there to make a signal of hope. The band are ready to touch and to inspire all with their music and stories. Worldwide.
7even Bridges are probably the best band you’ve never heard…but not for long. (Peter Dennis – The Midlands Rock)