Michael van Merwyk
Bandleader of Michael van Merwyk & Bluesoul from Rheda-Wiedenbrück — a former house guitarist for touring blues legends, runner-up at the 2013 International Blues Challenge, and a three-time German Blues Award winner in the Solo/Duo category.
Musical Influence
Michael van Merwyk's significance lies in how he has kept a "songster" tradition alive within a German blues scene that is often more strictly genre-faithful — he openly blends Bowie, Judas Priest, Depeche Mode and The Clash into his blues repertoire, and has said himself that "blues purists always turn up their noses a bit, but I don't care" (Source: Neue Westfälische, 1 August 2016). His band's 2013 finish — Europe's best placing ever at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis — put German blues on the international map in a way few other domestic artists have managed (Source: bluesoul.de/solo). As a longtime album-cover designer for artists such as Duke Robillard, Big Daddy Wilson and Samantha Fish, he also has an invisible but real influence on how international blues is presented visually (Source: thecountryblues.com; bluesoul.de).
Formative experiences
- •Taught himself guitar from age 15, with early influences from Joe Strummer/The Clash, Tony Iommi and local musicians Gerry Spooner and Roger Clarke-Johnson (Source: thecountryblues.com).
- •Heard Howlin' Wolf's 'Smokestack Lightnin'' on the WDR radio show 'Blues At Night' — the moment that sparked his blues obsession (Source: Blues.gr interview).
- •Attended the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1991, where encountering gospel and New Orleans blues, plus artists like Etta James and Gatemouth Brown, became a turning point (Source: Blues.gr interview).
- •Got his informal apprenticeship as house guitarist at the 'Roadhouse' blues club in his hometown, receiving direct feedback from touring blues legends (Source: thecountryblues.com; Blues.gr interview).
Instruments & Equipment
Guitar
Main instrument for slide playing, alongside lap steel guitar — uncommon in a blues context (Source: Bear Family Records; bluesoul.de/solo).
Vocals
Described as a cross between Dr. John and Johnny Cash (Source: Bear Family Records).
Stories & Anecdotes
"On the purpose of music, he has said: 'Music should bring joy to the people and lift their spirit. If you sing the truth about the facts of life it should soothe people's soul and make them feel better' (Source: Blues.gr interview)."
"Continues to design album covers for artists such as Duke Robillard, Big Daddy Wilson and Samantha Fish alongside his own music career — a parallel path from his twenty years as a graphic designer (Source: thecountryblues.com)."
Collaborators
Invited van Merwyk into his acoustic trio in 2009, a decisive step in his move to full-time touring (Source: thecountryblues.com).
Slide guitarist, guest musician on the album 'Blues Everywhere I Go' (2024) (Source: Blues Blast Magazine review).
American blues artist, recorded the duet album 'Up-close and Personal' together with van Merwyk (Source: thecountryblues.com).
Harmonica player, regular partner in the acoustic duo Delta Boys (Source: bluesoul.de).
Regular duo partner, including on the singles 'Flyin'' and 'Bad Bad Blues' (Source: YouTube, official music videos).
Watch & Listen
15.06.2013: Michael van Merwyk & Bluesoul - Oh Yeah Festival
Ulrich Meyer-Dengel
Watch & Listen
Press & quotes
"Michael van Merwyk called, and everyone came. The mini-stage at the Extra Blues-Bar became a hub..."
"Your songwriting and your playing is really something special. The world needs more Bluesmen like you."
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Ease My Pain | — | — | Groove Stew | — | — | — | Six tracks with Michael van Merwyk & Bluesoul. | |
| 2015 | New Shoes | — | — | Groove Stew | — | — | — | Eleven tracks, featuring vocals, lap steel, guitars and dobro. | |
| 2017 | Fight The Darkness | — | — | Timezone Records | — | — | — | Fourteen tracks. | |
| 2020 | The Bear | — | — | Timezone Records | — | — | — | Recorded live-in-studio December 2019–January 2020. | |
| 2021 | Blue River Rising | — | — | Timezone Records | — | — | — | Recorded live-in-studio 16 January 2021. | |
| 2024 | Blues Everywhere I Go | — | — | Timezone Records | — | — | — | 40th-anniversary album, with guests including Abi Wallenstein, Marc Breitfelder and Georg Schroeter. |
Famous songs
External links
Booking / Contact
No dedicated booking agency is publicly documented — bookings run through the artist's own email. A house-concert marketplace (SofaConcerts) also lists him, but that is a platform, not an exclusive agent.
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