In the chapter of the contemporary Slovene popular music, Katalena needs to be addressed as no more and no less than a phenomenon.

The story of this urban band begins in an idyllic village in the Southeast of Slovenia, where, in the summer of 2001, a group of six enthusiasts unearthed archival folklore material and rejuvenated its rustic image in line with their art rock, funk, jazz and blues pedigree and with their own integral youthful vision that was as much philosophical as it was musical.

The feedback from those privileged enough to encounter with the six-some music in its prime, soon outgrew the original idea of a one off experiment and in the months and years to follow, sons and daughters of Katalena took the stages of the most prominent festivals, concert halls and clubs home and abroad by a storm.

In five years time the band gave birth to four brainchildren – (Z)godbe/Stories (2002), Babje leto/Indian summer (2004), Kmečka ohcet/Country wedding (2006) and Cvik Cvak (2008). Albums received great attention among music writers that are up to this day still unable to categorize them, turned the existing folkloristic theories upside down and converted a great number of doubting Thomases into folk music fans.

Combining best of the Slovene traditional music, carefully selected from the archives, songbooks and old vinyl records with solid rock rhythms, funky groove and enviable arranging skills it creates a unique post-folk rock style that presents the music legacy of Slovenia’s regions in an utterly new light. Fused with dynamic and invigorating electrical instruments, which caress the enchanting singing, it is transformed on the stage into a dance and sound performance that mesmerises even the most musically pampered ears.

Katalena is the most inspirational voice of the 21st century Slovene folk music soundtrack.

article by Katarina Juvančič, journalist and ethnomusicologist

Band members:

Vesna Zornik - vocals

Polona Janežič - keyboards, backing vocals

Boštjan Gombač - clarinet, flutes, percussion, backing vocals

Tibor Mihelič Syed - bass, backing vocals

Boštjan Narat - guitar, mandolin, backing vocals

Robert Rebolj - drums, percussion

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