Press Releases
Martin Longley
The Brooklyn Rail
Balkalar are also from Zagreb, maintaining an acoustic strength with vigorously played fiddle, pinprick guitar, djembe/darbuka, and upright bass. Joint vocals abound. The opening song built slowly, moody and evocative, then the second palpitated uncontrollably, taking the spirits higher with a searing violin solo. They’ve been together for a decade, shaping their potent rapport, mixing a cauldron of ingredients from across the Balkans.
Timna Bjažević
Glazba.hr
Although a small group, the volume of sound that the powerful vocals of Bulaja and Kladarin, as well as other members manage to achieve, would not give any hint of that. The musicality, creativity and playing skill of the members is confirmed with each new cover, while the touching melodies of the violin, along with the animating rhythms of the djembe and double bass, and the freedom of the guitar can rarely leave anyone indifferent.
KSET
What to say? KSET has already seen Pavle drinking brandy while playing bass, Juda leaving blood on the microphones, Frodo whose wires break and blames the humidity, and Irma who sings and pretends not to hear any of it. We can't have a flawless concert, but Balkalar can guarantee top-notch entertainment.