Our Story
Soren Staff and Beau Janke - co-founders of folk/rock/Americana outfit Them Coulee Boys - met as camp counselors in northern Wisconsin in 2011. Their weekend workshopping of Avett Brothers and classic country tunes led to original songs and adding Soren’s brother Jens on mandolin. As the years grew, the band turned into a more rollicking outfit, adding Neil Krause on electric bass and Stas Hable on drums. The band’s name is a nod to the glacial melt-carved river valleys they call home, known by early French fur trappers as coulees. Known for wild swings of emotion during sets, it is not unusual to see fans in tears and minutes later dancing with abandon. The honesty and ability to talk and sing about the feelings and emotions that shape them has endeared them to a growing group of fans and friends.
With four full-length albums and an EP behind them, including 2019’s Die Happy (produced byTrampled By Turtles’ Dave Simonett on Lo-Hi Records) and 2021’s Namesake (produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph), the band has garnered international attention and earned press in American Songwriter, Ditty TV, Folk Alley, and The Bluegrass Situation, as well as tours with Trampled By Turtles, Los Lobos, Old Crow Medicine Show and a spot on the songwriter’s Cayamo Cruise.
2021’s Namesake found the band following a new trajectory, combining their signature take on folk-grass and Americana with comfort on electric instruments and playing rock and roll. The record lives and breathes. It’s both intimate and bombastic. It’s the sweet aunt who makes delicious pies and the wiley uncle who’s not afraid to hit a bit of the bottle. At the bottom is the acceptance that comes with family and old friends; none of us are perfect, but there’s enough love out there to make up for it.
In 2020, they were named Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Band to Watch. In 2021, they won Bluegrass/Americana Band of the Year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry. For all things Them Coulee Boys, please visit themcouleeboys.com.
Meet the Band.
Soren Staff
Soren Staff likes to write songs. His lyrics feel conversational, beautiful but distinct, drawing inspiration from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, and John Prine. Making music provides an outlet for him to interact with the world, and he’s forever finding joy in the opportunity.
Currently listening to: Old No. 1 - Guy Clark
Beau Janke
Beau Janke plays the banjo, among other things. Influenced by Wilco, Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, and Radiohead, Beau adds a little bit of weird to all we do. Making music makes him merry, and he chases that feeling every day with his best friends.
Currently listening to: Head of Roses - Flock of Dimes
Jens Staff
Jens Staff is the big man behind the mandolin, both acoustic and electric. His influences include My Morning Jacket, Dawes, Brandi Carlile, and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. He makes music because it’s what he loves to do, and with friends there is no better feeling in the world.
Currently listening to: What Is There - Delta Spirit
Neil Krause
Neil Krause and his bass provide the undercurrent to everything we do. Taking inspiration from The Lil Smokies, Cypress Hill, Alice in Chains, Joseph Huber, Mumford & Sons, and Alkaline Trio. Neil loves to see the country, and loves to do it with his friends.
Currently listening to: Nothin' Like This Before - Rayelle
Stas Hable
Stas Hable is the newest Coulee Boy, but his drumming feels right at home. Stas is influenced by King Crimson, Kendrick Lamar, Sophie, Gojira, Igor Stravinsky, Beach House, Death Grips, and New Order. Stas is doing exactly what he wants to: playing music, making people happy, traveling the world, and doing it with friends.
Currently Listening to: Is the Is Are - DIIV
Music
Ten Years Tall EP (2023)
Produced by THEM COULEE BOYS - SOREN STAFF, BEAU JANKE, JENS STAFF, NEIL KRAUSE, STAS HABLE
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Maracas BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Electric Banjo, Harmonica, Piano, Keys, Wood Blocks, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Electric Mandolin, Tamborines, Vocals, NEIL KRAUSE - Bass, Guiro, Vocals, STAŠ HABLE - drums, percussion
All songs performed live by THEM COULEE BOYS
Engineered and Mixed by EVAN MIDDLESWORTH
Mastered by CHRIS HANZSEK at HANZSEK AUDIO
Recorded at PINE HOLLOW in Eau Claire, WI
All songs written by SOREN STAFF (ASCAP), excluding Track 3, written by SOREN STAFF, BEAU JANKE, JENS STAFF, NEIL KRAUSE.
All songs arranged by THEM COULEE BOYS
Cover Art & Art Direction and Design by BEAU JANKE
Namesake (2021)
Produced by BRIAN JOSEPH
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Organ, Electric Guitar, 12-string electric guitar, BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Electric Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Keys, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Organ, Vocals, NEIL KRAUSE - Upright Bass, Bass, Vocals, STAŠ HABLE - drums, percussion, bells, dulcimer
All songs performed live by Them Coulee Boys with help from: RACHEL CALVERT - vocals (2,6,7,10), violin (6,7,10) SARAH OLSON - cello (1,4,6,7), BRIAN JOSEPH - synth (10)
Mixed by SHANE LEONARD, Engineered & Additional Mixing by BRIAN JOSEPH
Mastered by HUNTLEY MILLER at HM Mastering
Recorded at The Hive in Eau Claire, WI
All songs written by SOREN STAFF (ASCAP), excluding Track 3, written by BEAU JANKE & SOREN STAFF, All songs arranged by THEM COULEE BOYS
Cover Art & Art Direction and Design by BEAU JANKE
Liner Notes by NICKOLAS BUTLER, Executive Producer SAMIR A. MURTY
Die Happy (2019)
Produced by DAVE SIMONETT
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Electric Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Keys, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Organ, Vocals, NEIL KRAUSE - Upright Bass, Bass, Vocals
All songs performed live by Them Coulee Boys with help from: PATRICK PHALEN IV - Drums (1-10), DAVE SIMONETT - Electric Guitar (8, 10), Vocals (1,6), Percussion (4), NICOLE JOHNSON - Trumpet (10), Flugelhorn (10)
Engineered and Mixed by NICK TVEITBAKK | Recorded at Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls, MN
Mastered by HUNTLEY MILLER | Mastered at HM Mastering, Minneapolis, MN
All songs written by SOREN STAFF (ASCAP) | Excluding Tracks 1 and 3, written by SOREN STAFF & BEAU JANKE
All songs arranged by THEM COULEE BOYS
Cover Art & Art Direction and Design by ODD | Liner Notes by NICKOLAS BUTLER
Dancing in the Dim Light (2016)
Produced by THEM COULEE BOYS
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Electric Banjo, Harmonica, Piano, Synth, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Vocals, MICHAEL ASCHBACHER - Bass, Kick Drum, Drums, Vocals
All songs performed by Them Coulee Boys with help from:
EVAN MIDDLESWORTH - Pedal Steel (4,5,10), Percussion (1,5,9), Baritone Guitar (2,9,10), EVE WILCZEWSKI - Violin (6,8,9).
Recorded and Mixed by EVAN MIDDLESWORTH. Recorded at Pine Hollow Audio, Eau Claire, WI. Mastered by CHRIS HANZSEK. Mastered at Hanzsek Audio, Snohomish, WA.
All songs written by SOREN STAFF (ASCAP), excluding Track 8, written by SOREN STAFF & EVE WILCZEWSKI. All songs arranged by THEM COULEE BOYS
Cover Art & Art Direction and Design by BEAU JANKE & SOREN STAFF
I Never Lied About Being In Love (2014)
Produced by THEM COULEE BOYS
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Melodica, BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Electric Banjo, Harmonica, Accordion, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Vocals, MICHAEL ASCHBACHER - Bass, Kick Drum, Percussion, Vocals
All songs performed by THEM COULEE BOYS
Recorded and Mixed by MICHAEL ASCHBACHER. Recorded at Farm House Studios, Chetek, WI. Mastered by MICHAEL ASCHBACHER
All songs written by SOREN STAFF (ASCAP). Excluding Track 5, written by SOREN STAFF, JENS STAFF, MICHAEL ASCHBACHER, BEAU JANKE
Cover Art & Art Direction and Design by BEAU JANKE
Them Coulee Boys EP (2013)
Produced by THEM COULEE BOYS and ANDREW LOKEN
THEM COULEE BOYS are: SOREN STAFF - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, BEAU JANKE - Banjo, Vocals, JENS STAFF - Mandolin, Vocals.
All songs performed by THEM COULEE BOYS
Recorded and Mixed by ANDREW LOKEN. Recorded in his living room, Blair, WI.
Mastered by no one in particular.
All songs written by SOREN STAFF
Cover Art by BEAU JANKE