Sixteen Horsepower

16 Horsepower was an alternative/traditional musical group based in Denver, Colorado.



They combined numerous influences, including Appalacian folk melodies, gospel, bluegrass, and European folk. Their sound has been described as "gothabilly", although later recordings incorporated Southern Rock elements as well as the aforementioned styles.



They consisted of David Eugene Edwards, Jean-Yves Tola, and Pascal Humbert. After releasing 4 studio albums and touring extensively, the band broke up in 2005, citing "political and spiritual" differences.



Edwards' Grandfather was a Nazarene preacher and young Edwards often went along as his elder preached the Gospel to various peoples. This experience coloured his approach to songwriting as well as the instumentation employed to develop the band's unique sound.



One instrument that was paramount during the nascent days of 16 Horsepower was the Chemnitzer concertina. It was erroneously credited as a bandoneon (a closely-related instrument) on Sackcloth 'n' Ashes. The antique instrument used on the early tours and recordings was falling apart and quite cumbersome to tour with; some time before the sessions for Low Estate, it was replaced with the more modern American-made Patek brand instrument shown in the photo.



Tola added a French heritage with a rich tradition that was drawn from on various tracks.



It has been quite difficult for critics to assess 16 Horsepower due to the wide range of sounds they were able to produce during their brief career.



Edwards began his musical career in a Denver-based band called The Denver Gentlemen. Since the disbanding of Sixteen Horsepower, Edwards has been recording and touring with Woven Hand.