The Soundabout

2. An American pop group (active from 2001 to present)

1. The Soundabout is an Amsterdam-based skaband that merges up-tempo Ska and relaxed reggae with elements from funk and hiphop. Their aim is to make danceable, happy music fit for live shows that is still interesting enough to listen to in a more relaxed environment.

Although ska is not known for its inventiveness, The Soundabout takes the appealing afterbeats and catchy horn-based melodies from ska and the relaxed 'nod-your-head' vibe of reggae as a firm base for songwriting. From there they build on with funky guitar-riffs, groovy basslines, and rap-style vocals. The horn-section consists of a trombone and a French horn, giving them a characteristic sound, and the rhythm section is strenghtened by a percussionist.

The subjects of the songs range from garlic to peace and from love to today's busy world, and are sung or rapped in English and Dutch.

In 2007 their first EP 'Introducing Magic' was recorded, and some years of expanding their own sound culminated in the recording of their new demo 'Wie Ben Ik', which is a kick-off for their first full album 'Major Moods and Minor Melodies', to be released in 2011.

2. The Soundabout is the project of Los Angeles based songwriter Daniel Cleland. This is pop music with a direct link to greats of the past such as The Beatles, and The Beach Boys, with an effort to keep up with the progressiveness of modern pop/rock bands such as The Shins and My Morning Jacket.