2001 - Present

Van Driver is what happens when rock musicians unplug their guitars to keep from waking the children.  Like a sweet, slobbery mutt, the four-piece acoustic band from Richmond, Virginia, blends indie rock, folk, country, op and bluegrass sounds to produce a brand of music that defies simple characterization. Van Driver believes in original music built on simple chords, layered string parts and harmonies. It also believes in nostalgic, odd-ball covers to keep things interesting. 

Van Driver came together in 2001 but was years in the making. Three of its four members have been part of Richmond's music scene since the 1980s. The other member is a transplant, but you'd never know it.Van Driver is Mark Gormus on mandolin and vocals, Will Jones on guitar and vocals, Lee Bowles on violin, and Jeff Dowd on bass.

The band released its debut record "My Own Yard" in early 2009, after several half-finished recording projects. Produced and recorded by the band in a barn studio on the rural western fringe of Richmond, "My Own Yard" features 14 original songs that were written over the course of 20 years. Van Driver wanted the record to be true to it s performances so studio gimmickry was limited. "My Own Yard" is available on CD and will soon be offered on iTunes and other Internet-based music sites. Van Driver's songs don't always make literal sense, but they're rooted in families, relationships and Virginia. The themes often come in a wash of images.

"If you like well-constructed pop-folk that is catchy, tight, moody, and often fun, you should definitely give this a listen and, heck, drop the ten bucks for the album." - www.worrisomeheart.com

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