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THE BAND: The Lavens

THE MEMBERS: Rachel Laven (vocals, guitarist, songwriter); Niko Laven (vocals, lead guitarist, songwriter); Andreas Laven (vocals, bass guitar, guitar, songwriter); Jana Laven (lead and harmony vocals); “Uncle” Sal Guajardo “Laven” (drums)

THE SOUND: Americana with a touch of blues and folk. “We fall under Americana genre, but we really can get anywhere from back-porch country to psychedelic at times,” Andreas Laven said. “We tend to call ourselves Texas music.”

The main singers and songwriters for the band are Niko, 22, and Rachel, 16. Their mother, Jana, 47, sings backup and lead vocals for a few of the cover songs.

Jana said Niko’s music has a different sound than most blues players. Niko’s musical influences include Johnny Cash and John Prine as well as blues artists like Robert Johnson. Rachel’s influences include Sheryl Crow, Susan Gibson and Terri Hendrix.

While writing songs for the band, Niko and Rachel draw inspiration from movies they’ve seen, books they’ve read, their personal experiences and people they’ve met.

Andreas, 50, said as a bass player, his favorite songs that his children wrote are “Come Back to Bed” and “Andy & Maria” by Niko and “Happiness” and “Faith” by Rachel.

Although most of the band’s music is original, they play songs by Terri Hendrix, Susan Gibson and the McKay Brothers.

THE BACKGROUND: Before The Lavens came together as an official group, its members had contributed to other bands. Jana performed with The Michael Daniels Trio before she and Andreas joined The Jack Boot Thugs and Easy Street.

Niko started his music career with the Krybabies, which backed Ashlee Rose when she was named to Seventeen magazine’s top 10 teen bands list in 2003.

According to The Lavens’ Web site, Rachel’s music career began when she was 10. Within three weeks of receiving her first guitar, Rachel had written three songs. In the spirit of sibling rivalry, which is the title of their first album, Niko started writing songs, and the band was formed in 2003.

Andreas said both of his children have a future in the music business. After having only two rehearsals, Rachel, Sam Snavely and Addison Freeman took third place at Old Settler’s Music Festival in April.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had with a group of people because it really is a tremendous amount of fun playing together, and it keeps our family really tight,” Jana said. “It makes family gatherings a lot more interesting. There’s always music in the house.”

Andreas explained the band has no intentions of breaking up anytime soon. Although the road to stardom is a difficult one to travel, the tight family bond will be able to endure any bumps or detours that may arise.

“We intend to stick with this and take it as far as we can go,” Andreas said.

THE ALBUMS: Sibling Rivalry (2006); Sibling Rivalry Rematch (2006); The Lavens Live at the Cove (2007)

THE WEB SITES: thelavens.com; myspace.com/thelavens

CHECK THEM OUT: June 6 at the Brooks City-Base Picnic; June 14-15 at the Texas Folklife Festival; and several Friday nights a month at The Cove

THE 210 TAKE: If you enjoy down-to-earth Texas folk music, you should check out The Lavens.

Samantha Hensley | 210SA