Listen To Slovenia: Pocket Music Guide Dear Reader, genuine blossoming. Meanwhile, more and more Slovenian musicians are increasingly Editor: Viktor Škedelj Renčelj this booklet will be your best guide to dis- consciously gazing across national borders Editorial Board: Peter Baroš, Tanja Benedik, Dušan Mijanović covering Slovenian music, the richness, and directly participating in international Translation: Jaka Jarc, Katarina Juvančič vitality and diversity of the country’s musi- musical currents. This is no doubt the Copy Editor: Jaka Jarc cal worlds, some better known than others, result of the collapse of the former com- Design: Eda Pavletič Print: Tiskarna Januš d.o.o. but all worth listening to. mon Yugoslav cultural sphere and market, Print Run: 2000 which has forced Slovenian musicians to Publisher: SIGIC - Slovenian Music Information Centre On the following pages, you can find a great redefine how they work and communi- www.sigic.si deal of interesting and useful information cate with their potential public. A positive about the best Slovenian musicians, indi- result of all of these turbulent events are This publication received financial support from the Ministry of vidual music scenes, and the specifics of the lively, varied, sometimes rather elusive, Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the City of Ljubljana. the musical activities in Slovenia in gen- but always intriguing musical activities in eral. Written by acknowledged Slovenian Slovenia. REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA  MINISTRY OF CULTURE music experts and writers, the compact and readable texts provide information We highly recommend that those inter- about the music infrastructure in Slovenia ested in exploring and following current This publication reflects the views only of the authors and SIGIC and Slovenian music of all genres ranging musical life in Slovenia or seeking contact cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the from classical and jazz to heavy metal and information of the most important institu- information contained herein. electronic dance music. tion, concert venues, organizers, and pro- ducers of musical events visit It is an undeniable fact that, despite its pro- www.musicslovenia.si. SIGIC, 2020 verbially small geographic area and small population, Slovenia can offer the world Sincerely, a great deal that is interesting and out- Viktor Škedelj Renčelj, editor standing in the field of music, as its many SIGIC – Slovenian Music Information Centre music scenes are currently experiencing a

The World’s Oldest Musical Instrument The 60.000 year-old flute found at the Divje babe archaeological site is kept at the National For further current information about Slovenian music and Museum of Slovenia. The flute is made of the central tubular part of a young cave bear’s femur musical infrastructure visit www.musicslovenia.si. and is considered the oldest discovered musical instrument in the world as well as the only thus far unearthed Neanderthal-made flute. Photo: Tomaž Lauko

CIP - Kataložni zapis o publikaciji Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica, Ljubljana 78(497.4) LISTEN to Slovenia : pocket music guide / [editor Viktor Škedelj Renčelj ; translation Jaka Jarc, Katarina Juvančič]. - Ljubljana : SIGIC - Slovenian Music Information Centre, 2020 ISBN 978-961-92303-2-9 1. Škedelj Renčelj, Viktor COBISS.SI-ID 31721475

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Listen To Slovenia: Pocket MusicGuide (Electronic Dance Music) (Experimental Music) Slovenia IsaSingingNation (Choirs/Choral Societies) At HomeandAbroad (Composers/Classical Music) andContemporary Tradition That Looks Beyond Its Borders (Classical Music) Answer Correctly andWinaPrize About SIGIC 63 About MusicSlovenia 62 Formal MusicEducation inSlovenia Collecting Societies Between theClubs andtheInquisitive Musicof Pressing Keys Can They KickIt?! (HipHop) Outside theMainstream, Into theFuture (Alternative/Indie Music) Where Have AlltheTroubadours Gone? (Singer-songwriters) Slovenia –aWildLand(Metal) 43 Because It’s AllSoLovely Here! (Pop/Rock) 39 Brass MusiconSlovenian Soil–aMusical Cradle of Orchestras (WindBands) Rewind andFast Forward (Oberkrainer Music) Answering theCallof theWilderness(Ethno/World Music) An Exceptionally Exciting andVaried Musical Kaleidoscope Slovenian Jazzàlacarte (Jazz) 16 60 32 20 11 64 59 53 49 46 36 28 56 24 6

5 Listen To Slovenia Pocket Music Guide 6 Classical Music which tackled its into confident theglobalized entry world inthe21 tradition,musicalSlovenian the foundations of the of some distantare the These 1701. from Philharmonicorum Academia the of successorhistorical the nian Philharmonic, contemporarythe of development the with century Fink andSabinaCvilak. mota excellent singers ranging from Anton Der Strasbourg, monic andthePhilharmonicorchestra in chief conductor oftheBremen Philhar conductors Srebotnjak, clarinettist Mate Bekavac, na Grafenauer, pianistDubravka Tomšič ists suchasviolinist Igor Ozim , flautist lowing in the footsteps left by instrumental- international musical realm today are fol- generationsNew ofmusiciansentering the Interpreters of theFuture cultural capitals. Ittook shape in the19 In past centuries, the Slovenian musical realm benefitted from contacts with the nearby Primož Trdan Classical MusicandIts Continuation intheContemporary World Its Borders Tradition That Looks Beyond competition additionalgravitas. Photo: Shahriyar Farshid. in Japan. That year, thechairperson of thepanel was legendary Marta Argerich, whichlentthe prize andtheaudience award at theprestigious international triennialcompetition Hammatsu Alexander Gadjiev caught theattention of theinternational publicin2015,when hewon first lic music schools and other musical institutions and continued its formation in the 20 the in formationits continued and institutionsmusical other and schools music lic to Bernarda andMarjanaLipovšek to Marko Letonja, andaseriesof Uroš Lajovic andthecurrent Ire th century with the establishment of the first pub - - - Luka Juhartissimultaneously anexpert ing concert concept designs. Accordionist interpreters ofmodernmusicwithher Pianist pranos Bernarda Bobro andNika Gorič. Robavs include baritone Matjaž lent operatic andconcert soloist singers mark assoloists. generation Anew ofexcel- resident LanaTrotovšek are makingtheir Tanja Sonc,active inZürich, andLondon GenerationNew Artist in2019.Violinists Alexander Gadjiev, whobecame BBC’s resolutely undertaken byyoungpianist This demandingvoyage was recently Academyand of Music Nina Prešiček st century. stands The Slove out among and so dar th - - - -

sionists. greatering ever recognition among percus Klavžar and mon bers oftheDrumartica own string experiments. Meanwhile, mem- preting modernclassical workswithhis Sukič works inVienna,whileBrussels,Primož scores; guitarist and composer performing complex musicandmovie new the USA, where he feels equallyat home Grgić either –Mak music,guitaristsfor new are noexception a composer. Whenitcomes to reaching ropean interpreter onhisinstrument, and in modernclassical music,aleading Eu- the year. Photo: GajaL.Kutnjak. Commendation for Excellence astheall-round best student of Royal Academy of MusicinLondon, andreceived the“Queen’s her master’s degree andfurtherspecialisededucation at the that shineoninternational concert andopera stages. Shegot Nika Goričisayoung memberof alineof Slovenian singers supplements his devotion to inter Jože Bogolin Jože established himselfin duo, virtuoso Si- Nejc Kuhar are gain- - - Festival Radovljica hasbeen presenting of gambist In recent years, undertheartistic direction table cultural heritage across the country. work (REMA)andisheldonlocations ofno member oftheEuropean EarlyMusicNet The early musicfestival Seviqc Brežice isa interpreters ofclassical musicto Slovenia. (EFA). Eachyear, itbringsthemost notable ber oftheEuropean Festivals Association The summerFestival isamem- Ljubljana American tour withMischaMaisky. Symphony Orchestra wentonaSouth mophon label.In2019,theRTV Slovenia kovsky’s Jolanta for theDeutsche Gram- Domen Marinčič, theyounger Domen also recorded P. I.Tchai- Netrebko, at whichtimethey and Europe in2012withAna severalhas toured times Asia Philharmonic Orchestra tional tours. TheSlovenian frequenter notable interna- recently started going on ever capital, both ofwhich have cipal orchestras active inthe orchestra. There are two prin- ballet corps, andasymphony comprise anoperatic choir, Theatre Maribor,which The and and Ballet Ljubljana National Theatre Opera opera houses:TheSlovene the care ofasmanytwo Slovenian musical life isin Sites of ArtRejuvenation the Japanese Takefu Festival. cently theWienModernand specialised festivals, most re is presently touring notable core, of contemporary music.Its touch withthekeyaesthetics musicians andlisteners in this festival brought local In aperiodof two decades, by theSlowind Festival. ontheworkstartedcarrying mentioned musiciansare music,theabove temporary On thehomefront ofcon- Wind Quintet Slowind Slovene National - - -

7 Classical Music 8 Classical Music Academy. Photo: Vito Žuraj's personalarchive. Alavò for soprano, piano, andinstrumental groups for theBerlinerPhilharmoniker’s Orchestra Orchestra. After he received theClaudioAbbado Composition Prize in2017,he composed York Philharmonic Orchestra, NDRElbphilharmonieOrchester, andStuttgart Radio Symphony Recherche. Heisalsoregularly invited to collaborate withthefinest orchestras suchastheNew music, suchasEnsembleModern,Klangforum Wien,EnsembleInterContemporain, orEnsemble The nameVito Žuraj appears regularly onrepertoires of ensemblesspecialisedincontemporary 2018 International Rostrum of Composers. Photo: Andrej Grilc. composition Unleashedfor accordion andclarinet placed amongtherecommended works of the the field of contemporary music to whichJuhartalso contributes asa composer. Hissecond-ever Luka Juhart’s chosen instrument, accordion, hasbeengaining anincreasingly important role in world, or spirituality. Photo: Jürgen Fritz. electronics, theform of performance andsoopenshermusicupto reflections onsociety, the music, sheexplores options of spatial perception, useof objects suchas rare earth magnets, live and Peter Adriaanszat theRoyal Conservatoire inTheHague.Sheplaces nolimitations onher Petra Strahovnik lives and works intheNetherlands where shestudied withMartiinPadding notable. Photo: Kotar. Janez European tour withTchaikovsky’s Iolanta withAnnaNetrebko inthetitlerole was particularly Ramon Vargas, Luciano Pavarotti, andMstislav Rostropovich. Theorchestra isoften onthe tour; orchestra hasperformed withhighlyregarded artists suchasArthurRubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, illustrious heritage back to theAcademia Philharmonicorum founded of Ljubljana in1701.The The Slovenian PhilharmonicOrchestra istheleading Slovenian symphonicorchestra, tracing its house oftheSloveniannational radio and of the publishers. The of theartmusicisalsoresponsibility thedisseminationIn part, andrejuvenation acterised bywelcome audacity. well thought-out sets ofearly musicchar ZKP RTV publishing - of Slovene Composers. Themusicsupply also lean onthedistribution oftheSociety today,houses; composerslocalcanlishing catalogues ofrenowned international pub by Sloveniancomposers alsoappeared in from theradio’s archives. In thepast, music distributestelevision thebest recordings -

9 Classical Music 10 Classical Music melodies. evades neithersharpstrokes norbeautiful while influences, minimalist with plays fortlessly finesse, tonal measurable Ligeti, with studies his finishing after modernism Rojko soughtouthismusical stance on patently personalmusical stories. Uroš Composers of the middle generation write archaic andthenew. works cultivate anoblecoexistence ofthe Lebič’s mental compositions, whileLojze colourmusic, alsoaddednew to hisinstru- long periodofcomposing electro-acoustic is acomposer and pianist who, following a trombonist andimproviser,Matičič Janez asanunmatchedalso wentdowninhistory ers. Thesociallyengaged Vinko Globokar impact ontheoldergeneration ofcompos Three great individualists hadaprofound The Paths of Composers publishing house. somewhat smaller, though agile, Astrum is alsoconsiderably complemented bya cal music,andother events. to theYoung), theUnicuminternational biannualfestival ofcontemporary classi- younger audiences named“Slovenski skladatelji mladim” (Slovenian Composers Slovenian classical musicdubbedNightofSloveneComposers, concerts for Composers .Today, theSociety alsoregularly holdsconcerts ofcontemporary longest-running regular concert seriesisConcert Atelier oftheSociety ofSlovene mately 2550worksand120CDs,whichare available for purchase. TheSociety’s of worksbySloveniancomposers. TheEdicije DSS catalogue consists ofapproxi- lishing; its Edicije publishingdepartment, DSS, issuessheet musicandrecordings Aldo Kumar’s musical exploration Larisa Vrhunc creates withim- Milko Lazar ef - - largest cultural centres. capable ofcommunicating withthe even mere province, into acounterpart easily Slovenian musical space, centuries ago a boundaries. Today are transforming they continuation ofthistradition thinkbeyond sical musicandcomposers sketching the The up-and-coming interpreters ofclas soin combination withmusical improvisation. does frequently and flow and ture who trusts thefeeling oflivingmusical ges in 2019.Matej Boninisanother composer earning herthe66 in her orchestralmarvellously piece with unusualinstruments came together Strahov­nik’s decade ofexperimentation to thescores ofconventional genres. Petra Nina Šenkalsoputs hercontemporary pen audience withexciting aural sonorousness. themore traditionalsion even orchestra vantage. smallness oftheglobal worldto theirad- the speedofinformation, andusingthe winds,harnessingthepowerof temporary Young composers turned their sails to con- are concert activities andpub 120 members.Its mainareas since.ever Itcurrently counts role inSlovenianmusical life and hasplayedanessential posers was founded in1945 The Society ofSloveneCom- Musical Creativity A Key Catalyst to Slovenian Vito Žuraj knowshowto impas Vito th Rostrum ofComposers - Prana, - - - in the19 blossomed inSloveniaalready ral compositions, musical forms whichhad most successful Slovenian lieder and cho vic (1878–1960),composer ofsomethe and late romanticist notions. Anton Lajo- tic paradigms dissociated from romanticist composers were already lookingfor stylis Wagner, Slovenian new operas, andnumerous European new works. stagingpeakperiods, byits works of reached one also opera house Ljubljana Polićthe , conductorleadershipof the under Society.1930s, Philharmonic the tionalized In a into school transformedits MaticaWar. The the before than greater fervour even operatewith to life, able wasmatica , education musical and concert local of aspects all over watching tion associa- musical Slovenian main The professionalization.gradual its also thereby and music Slovenian of emancipation institutional final the enabled stateunion new a ing The watershed year 1918 also turned out to be a turning point for Slovenian music; join- Gregor Pompe The Paths of Slovenian Composers inthe20 At HomeandAbroad ideology ofthe19 ideology key representatives kept to thenationalist Slovenian cultural environment; numerous stances, to however, divide the also served political andnationalThe new circum- path. each They approached different entirely an took ism, Slovenian musical modern- terc (1892–1956) andSlavko Os Meanwhile, MarijKogoj genres. andvocal-instrumentalcert, took larger symphonic,con - (1900–1973), whoalsounder er group alsoincludestheyoung- cept of a national opera. This (1858–1948) tackled thecon- anist-composers. set by19 for piano followed theexamples masterpieces great first Janko Ravnik ’s (1891–1981) similar story. Pianist-composer Adamič (1877–1936)was a as he did before theWar. composing inthesamevein Lucijan MarijaŠkerjanc (1895–1941), pioneers of th th century virtuosopi- century century, continued Risto Savin th century, whilecertain Emil - - and expanded with the addition of the na- the of addition the with expanded Conservatoryand Author: Saša Šantel, ©NUK. Author: also onfestival andconcert stages abroad. performed already duringhisshortlife, several amongthem wider international context. Alarge part of hisworks was also enabledSlovenian musicto become established inthe of 20 Slavko Osterc fundamentally influenced thedevelopment th -century Slovenian music.Hisinternational renown - - ism oftheViennaschool,isalsoechoedin and Richard Strauss andtheexpression- tween theemotional modernismofMahler spreadThe Vienneseenvironment, be ment ofArnoldSchönberg at hisseminars. Schreker andlater sought theencourage with thefamous opera composer Franz reality.the new Kogoj studied inVienna Osterc favoured objectivist distancing from in thesubjectivism ofexpressionism, while trusted Kogoj way; own their new musicin th Century Glasbena Mirko - - 11 Composers / Classical and Contemporary Music conservatory and soon transmitted his particularly worth highlighting as are his ideas to the virtually entire generation of numerous works for chamber ensembles young composers. He actively participated and his shorter orchestral pieces (Suita/ in the International Society of Contem- Suite, Koncert za orkester/Concerto for Or- porary Music (ISCM). His opus comprises chestra, Mouvement symphonique, Mati/ compositions of all genres. His “minute” Mother). Osterc surpassed the emotional operas, tailored to the patterns established dichotomy of late romanticism and there- by Darius Milhaud and Paul Hindemith, are by further solidified the position of the

Vinko Globokar and Extra-Musical Inspiration Vinko Globokar (1934) was born in France to Slovenian emigrants, after which his family brought him to Yugosla- via, where he studied the trombone. Marij Kogoj and Črne maske/Black Masks Marij Kogoj was born in Trieste, in 1898 and named Julij; however, after his Eight years later, he left to study at the younger brother Marij’s death, his family started calling him Marij. He lost his Paris Conservatory. Afterwards, his career father at the tender age of six, which was followed a mere year later by the depar- took him to other cultural centres – to ture of his mother, who left her children and disappeared. In keeping with the law Berlin, Buffalo in the USA, Cologne (be- pertaining to orphans, Kogoj was assigned to his father’s native town, Kanal ob tween 1967 in 1976 he was professor of Soci. In 1906 or 1907, an unknown woman arrived at Kanal claiming to be Julij’s trombone at the College of Music there), mother. She rode in in an opulently decorated carriage wearing expensive and to Paris again, where he headed the clothes; afterwards all trace of her vanished. These cursory contacts and impres- department of vocal and instrumental sions must have left the child with numerous questions and traumas. There was research at the then newly established talk of Kogoj’s mother going to Egypt as a nursemaid, emigrating to America, and IRCAM centre and in Fiesole near Flor- descending into prostitution. Given his biography, the several unusual strokes of ence – where he got on equally well in terms of language and culture. However, Andreyev’s drama which Kogoj poured into his opera seem strangely evocative. Globokar’s national dichotomy is reflected in the wide array of his chosen genres: Particularly the words uttered by the unknown voice at the end of the first act: he started his musical career as a jazz musician. In Paris, he made his living as a “Did your mother tell you whose son you are?” Similarly, we can see the fight freelance musician in symphony orchestras, jazz clubs, and variety music halls. between the two Lorenzos as a reflection of Kogoj’s own split between being His understanding of different musical worlds resulted in his capacity to move Marij and Julij. In Kogoj’s opera, Andreyev’s symbolic play treating the battle freely between them, creating music outside the confines of genre. In this re- between good and evil that lurk in every human psyche becomes a reflection of spect, Globokar stands as a supra-national non-dogmatic musician, open to a the composer’s own identity, his own self, and even stands as a foreshadowing variety of impulses. In Paris, he frequented concerts of the Boulez’s Domaine heralding his coming mental illness. Andreyev’s drama, set in the context of musical society, where he was exposed to music he did not understand. This literary symbolism presents an insight into the questions of the human soul, motivated him to seek out the help of René Leibowitz, a composition professor psyche, and identity. Kogoj therefore certainly identified with several parts and who was considered the greatest authority on the twelve-tone technique in emphases of the drama. Musically, he resolved them by framing a musical drama France at the time. Globokar studied composition with Leibowitz privately. In his that moves back and forth between the harmonic richness of modernism, recita- teacher’s milieu, he was introduced to several leading intellectuals of the time, tive expressiveness, and even sharp dissonances; on his path toward final re- philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Claude Lévi-Strauss, demption in flames, Kogoj succeeded in exceptionally melding music and lan- painter André Masson, and psycho-analyst Jacques Lacan, who had an impact guage and creating the greatest Slovenian operatic achievement. Photo: © NUK. on him. After Leibowitz, he was drawn to Berlin, where he became the assistant and student of Luciano Berio. During this time, he developed his own specific brand of aesthetics, which, in several ways, transcends music. To give music back some of its meaning and its capacity to communicate, he sought his motivation Kogoj’s lieder, choral compositions, piano influenced by the father of the quarter- to compose outside / beyond music itself and thereby, at least at the external miniatures, and in his pivotal work – the tone music, Alois Hába. More than with level, level of content, avoid the idea of pure absolute music as well as the artist’s opera Črne maske/Black Masks (1929), an quarter-tone music, Osterc was taken with detachment from daily social life. At the first stage, the idea of extra-musicality operatic rendition of the symbolist drama his mentor’s principal views on aesthet- aids Globokar in discovering new musical materials and procedures, while at the by Russian playwright Leonid Andreyev. ics, which were committed to the constant

Composers / Classical and Contemporary Music and Contemporary / Classical Composers second, the composer wishes for this music to trigger thinking and pondering, Music and Contemporary / Classical Composers search for the new. Armed with numerous but not of musical issues (materials, structure), but rather a reflection on the Osterc was educated at the Prague Con- international contacts, Osterc returned to problems of life. Photo: Žiga Koritnik. servatory, where he was most strongly Ljubljana, where he began teaching at the

12 13 14 Composers / Classical and Contemporary Music Academy of Music passed to those, who undertones. Theauthoritative roles at the to theemphasisascribed to its ideological modernist groundwork was forgotten due Academy of Music).Kogoj andOsterc’s formation into the oftheconservatory nian Philharmonic Orchestra, thetrans vitality (theestablishment oftheSlove certain others began operating withnew traits were abolished.At thesametime, able oldbourgeois orclerical ideological identifi- with Institutions culture. affected also first at which system, governmental new a received Slovenia II, War World After ist Lucijan MarijaŠkrjanc. Slovenian the positionascentral proponent of ease at thecloseof1920s,earned him Kogoj’s, whichwas eclipsedbymental dis new music. Photo: Matičič's Janez personalarchive. he remained anactive memberuntil1975. Recherches Musicales ledby Pierre Schaeffer; music in1962,whenhejoinedtheGroupe de He first became engaged inelectro-acoustic into contemporary compositional currents. composition under Nadia Boulanger, he sailed musical currents. Later, whilestudying compositions were influenced by traditional Before hemoved to Paris, hisinitial composition andconducting inLjubljana. Janez Matičič graduated inmusical new music alongsidetraditional- His personality, stronger than - - - Krek, by neo-classicist masterpieces (Sinfonietta sicism. Thisbrought aboutfour Slovenian seemingly ideologically-neutral neoclas Osterc before thewar, retreated to the ers, particularly those,whohadfollowed i.e. traditional expression. Othercompos were committed to thelate romanticist, orchestras. already hosted practically allofthe world’s among others, alarge concert hall,which centre opening ofthelarge cultural andcongress venia SymphonyOrchestra) andthe Philharmonic Orchestra, the two symphonyorchestras (theSlovenian musical education, twoopera houses, quality ofmusical infrastructure –public sufficient linkedcomposerstothe is tween To a considerable degree, this division be incorporated theprinciple ofaleatorics. writing soundcompositions inwhichthe cal modernismwithSloveniancomposers 1960s therefore ofmusi- markthevictory Music the Osterc ChamberEnsemble.At thetime, their ownperforming corpus, theSlavko local founded musical They environment. stifling the resisted Milan Štuhec) Igor and Stibilj, Srebotnjak, Alojz Petri c, Lojze Ivo Jež, Lebic, Jakob Cipci, Kruno Božic, jan composers called Pro musica viva the Warsaw Autumn festival. A group of with musical modernismmostly through generation ofcomposers became familiar gated stronger international links.Thenew insti- also thaw political first the However, at theGRMmusical research group inParis. to soundmaterials new during his tenure latter hisownspecialattitude developed cosmopolitans Vinko Globokar and with starting differently, composers whowentabroad composed to contemporary European currents. Those mained stylistically conservative compared surpassed theirteachers, re thoughthey jan Lipovšek) withwhichthestudents godala/Second Suite for Strings by Strings byDaneŠkerl, andDrugasuita za rmž Ramovš , Primož Festival of Contemporary Chamber Cankarjev dom(1982),comprising, was alsolaunchedinRadenci.The Serenada za godala/ Simfonietta Janez Serenade for ; the the Matičič; RTV Slo- by Mari- (Dari- Uroš Uroš - - - -

as adesire to form astrong concept andrelay afullmessage. Photo: Andrej Grilc. instrumentalist. Incomposing for larger ensembles,hiscreativity isguidedby inspiration aswell from thepractical experience of exploring theinstrument at handwiththeassistance of the auditory soundexamination; hefavours composing for soloinstruments by drawing directly musical composition at theAcademy Hiscompositional of MusicinLjubljana. style derives from became acquainted withcontemporary musical currents. Hesettled inGermanybutalsoteaches continued hisstudies inGermanywithKlausHuberandGyörgy Ligeti. Thiswas where hefirst Uroš Rojko isacomposer, clarinettist, anduniversity professor. After graduating inSlovenia, he and thenovel.Photo: ©DSS. whichis a specificnationalcoexistencepalpable tint, in thevery ofthenostalgic powerful emotional suggestibility. Intheseworks, Lebič alsomanaged to capture chestra –Cantico), wherein compositional refinement goes handinwith mental worksfor thesymphonyorchestra (QueenslandMusic,Musicfor theOr Ajdna –glasbavčasu (transl. Ajdna –MusicAboutTime))aswellinhismonu- his large choral creations (Hvalnica svetu (transl. EulogyTo theWorld),Fauvel ’87, primordial timesofmusic.Thiscombinationmusic to imaginary reverberates in with fragments ofmusical archetypes extending across traditional musicandfolk cific postmodern musical language, which combines modernist soundblocks music from thesecond halfofthe20 considered oneoftheclassicsSlovenian Academic Professor Lojze Lebič (1934)is Lojze Lebič andArchetypes the listener. aspe Inthisvein,hedeveloped “grammar” that enablescommunication with sitional structure withthekindofmusical for thenecessity ofbalancing rational compo this context hehadtheutmost appreciation his aesthetical foundations inmodernism.In musica viva group ofcomposers, hesought Along withothers ofthesamemindinPro th century. - - - 15 WorldComposers Music / Classical and Contemporary Music 16 Choirs / Choral Societies international competitions. glance at theresultscursory ofthebiggest which ispatently already evident from a placements at international competitions, and vocal highest ensemblesare achieving of exceedingly successful Slovenianchoirs proving itself internationally. Avast number successful pyramid ofchoirsandisalready Institute, whichsucceeded inestablishing a tions suchas,for example, theSt. Stanislav tivity isalsocultivated byindividualinstitu- Maribor,bljana, Koper). Moreover, the ac choirs inSlovenianuniversitytowns (Lju- by as many as three top-tier academic said interest increases again, asevidenced curriculum; later, however, at university, the that choirsare not anobligatory part ofthe diminishes interest inchoral singing,being schoolsystemthe secondary somewhat children’s oryouthchoir. Thetransition to schoola primary which guarantees every partly dueto theSlovenianschoolsystem, choir singing ofthelast couple ofdecades are of field the in results excellent The music was sunghere asearly asathousandyears ago. ceptional quality of choral singing in Slovenian space. There is evidence that composed ex the contributedtoundoubtedly traditionchoral and history Slovenia’smusical rich Tanja Benedik They Don’t Say“Three Slovenians Make aChoir” for Nothing. It’s aFact! Slovenia IsaSingingNation - tional Youth ChoirFestival has Celje competitions. Theoldest, theInterna- Slovenia alsohosts international choir in Slovenia. there are more than130000peoplesinging numerous church choirs.Weestimate that tion through theJSKD.Sloveniaalsohas covers part oftheexpensestheiropera- ofCulturepublic ofSlovenia.TheMinistry Public Fund for CulturalRe Activities ofthe tural Societies ofSloveniaandJSKD–The of theseare supported bytheUnionofCul- ate largely aspart ofvarious societies. Most various vocal ensembles in Slovenia oper More than2000active amateur choirsand out. left be cannot also Chamber Choir of Culture).(Ministry The state the by financed Theatreall Maribor, andTheSlovenelet Ljubljana National vene National Theatre Opera andBal- Choir andtwoopera choirs The Slovenia; There are three professional choirs in Slovenian Philharmonic Photo: Kotar. Janez and foreign orchestras. and other Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra with theSlovenian It alsocollaborates series of vocal music. music seriesanda vocal-instrumental its own seasonal Slovenia. Itholds concert choirin the onlyprofessional Philharmonic Choiris The Slovenian RTV Slovenia – TheSlo- - - - ron Chamber certs inKoper),Obala Koper, theMega runs the Symphonic Voices series of con- University of Primorska (whichalso , the Ljubljana Academic Choir of the University of Tomšič bor Academic Choir,theTone at competitions abroad includeTheMari- exceptionalChoirs that achieved results The SoundofMyHands). calledLjubljana, Zvok mojihrok (transl. Slovenian choirleaders was launchedin for competition national first the 2016, In thematic competitions across thecountry. choirs also face each other at regional and tion (since 1970).Eachyear, Slovenian Naša pesem(transl. competi OurSong) - and alternates biannuallywiththenational competitions for theEuropean Grand Prix 2008, GallusMariborisoneofsixEuropean been heldbiannuallysince 1963.Since Saint NicholasChoirLitija… for Music and Ballet Chamber Choir, The ConservatoriumChoir, TheLjubljana New YorkNew Voices. the Vox Arsana vocal ensemble,whichisbest knownfor its collaboration withthe ble ledbySamoIvačič, whonowcontinues hisvocal missionwithhiswork genre. Thefirst Sloveniansmalla cappella ensemblesincludedtheDust ensem- Jazzva vocal ensemblefeaturing thehighest calibre ofguest performers ofthe a cappella award), andtheinternational Vocal Ljubljana festival organised bythe the global phenomenonofPerpetuum Jazzile,recent successes ofBassless(AVA 2007, Malemalice 2008,BIT2009,Jazzva 2014,Dotik 2014,Kreativo 2015,2016)to (Perpetuum SwingQuartet Jazzile2004,New 2005,Stil Quartet 2006,Cantemus first successful placements ofourensembles at the Vokal Total competition Recent years alsomarked huge advances inSlovenianacappella music,from the Contemporay Trends inSlovenian ACappellaMusic Choir, Academic Choir of the St. Stanislav Girls’ - Kastelic, Tine Bec,SamoVovk, andoth- Forte, Katarina Pustinek Rakar, Matej house. Lately, worksbyTadeja Vulc, Nana ciety of Slovene Composers publishing house and among the the only specialized Slovenian publishing ers alsoappears ontheroster ofAstrum, music literature bySlovenian compos GIA Publications (Makor). In addition, choral and Music Schott Nomos, (Močnik), Ferrimontana andAugsburg-Fortress Čopi), (Ambrož Sulasol Andrej Makor ), Močnik, such asCarus-Verlag (Damijan large world-renowned publishinghouses of wings the under taken were Some after. genders are just assuccessful andsought Slovenian choral musiccomposers ofboth Urša Lah, Petra Grassi, to name but a few. Batič, Martina Močnik, Damijan Šilec, Helena Fojkar, Stojan Kuret, Karmina include choir They events. panel membersat thelargest international teemed asguest conductors, lecturers, and Slovenian choirleaders are highlyes to folk songs.Photo: AdrianPregelj. genres ranging from pop, rock, andjazz catalogue includessongs of avariety of with various timbres and effects. Their stories, seekoutharmonies,and play the humanvoice; theywrite new cappella music.Themembers explore Jazzva isat top thevery of Slovenian a Editions of the So- Ambrož Čopi, Ambrož - - 17 Choirs / Choral Societies 18 Choirs / Choral Societies awards, andalbums. Photo: DorianŠilec Petek. by theirappearances onstages of themost prominent festivals across theglobe,numerous expression, intensity of experience, andcommunication. Carmina Slovenica’s renown isjustified theatrical art. Theyare abreath of fresh aironthemusical scene, opening new realms of the international stage asacollective, whose choregie concept expands thescopes of musical- Carmina Slovenica, undertheartistic direction of conductor Karmina Šilec,left its markon realm ofchoral music. important positionsintheinternational ers havealsodemonstrated hold that they vocal music.Aconsiderable achievement! music scores, andapproximately 50publications ofother typeslinked to choiror them more than150audioeditions(predominately CDs),approximately 200 400 choral musicpublications ofvarious genres ofcomplexity, andlevels among From 2010to 2020, theSlovenianmusicscene sawthepublication ofmore than 10 Years of Choral Production by aNation of 2MillionPeople • • • • Facts AbuttheEuropean Grand Prixfor Choral Singing the Grand PrixofEurope. The VAL Vocal –Ljubljana Academy was thefirst andonlymalechoir to win choir VAL Vocal –Ljubljana Academy. APZ Tone Tomšič inArezzo, Italy andin2010,Varna, Bolgaria, withthemale Stojan Kuret istheonlyconductor to wintheGPEaward twice; in2002,with Velenje, cond. Danica Pirečnik. Hauptman, zbor(transl. Šaleškiakademski pevski Academic ChoirofVelenje), Academy, cond. Stojan Kuret, cond. ChamberChoirAve,Ljubljana, Andraž chosen finalists at theEGPinsameyear (2010): VAL –Ljubljana Vocal to have threeSlovenia istheonlycountry representatives amongthefive the most successful infinals. country On theworld-scale, relative to thenumberofinhabitants, Sloveniahasbeen disappointed. Slovenian choral literature, youwon’t be ity music,don’t forget to take apeekat So, next timeyou’re lookingfor high-qual- editing: Matej Zupančič Photo: Eržen; Janez Graphic ACDA National Conference…). Music, Europa Cantat Festival, (World Symposium onChoral most prestigious choral events and appearances at theworld’s is evidenced by invitations to music. Thechoir’s highquality demanding repertoire of choral talents by undertaking a Zupančič, advance theirmusical the baton of HelenaFojkar St. Stanislav Girl’s Choirunder The secondary schoolsingers of territory). ered himself aCarniolan(aresident of Kranjska, at thetimeaSlovenian speaking European music, choirmaster (Kapellmeister), and prolific composer, who consid- composer Jacobus HandlGallus (1550–1591),anundisputed giantof16 Slovenian after named was Maribor competitionin internationalchoir Gallus The Eriks Ešenvalds. Such eminentcompany! and Močnik, Damijan Veros, Santiago Gjeilo, Ola Whitacre, Eric scene: choir the In 2018,Luis Gerardo Glines(Interkultur) tweeted promising namesof out5new oninternationalShe alsolectures panels andserves at choircompetitions. the French capital –themixed ChoirofRadioFrance (LaMaîtrisedeRadioFrance). in choir professional prestigious most the of helm the took Batič, Martina Choir, In 2018,theformer artistic director andconductor oftheSlovenianPhilharmonic Pécs, Hungary. In 2015,theJazzva vocal ensemblewas invited to theEuropa Cantat festival in ers. sional choirinperforming aset ofrecent worksexclusively bySloveniancompos Taiwanesethe leadtoinvited conductorwas 2019, Čopi AmbrožIn profesmusic. Festival, performed where three they independentconcerts ofSlovenianchoral The KGBL ChamberChoirwas invited to attend the2018Taipei International Choir American Choral Directors Association’s national conference. was invited to the2017WorldSymposiumonChoral Music,aswellto the2019 won theexceptionally prestigious EBULet thePeoples Singcompetition in2009, The St. Stanislav Girls’ ChoiroftheDiocesan Classical Gymnasium,whichhad group Jazzva (artistic JasnaŽitnik)came director: inthird. Kerštanj) won the 2017 Eurovision Choral of the Year in Riga. In 2019, the vocal Primož leader: (choir choir women’schamber manet Carmen the of singers The A SmallCountry’s Place inaBigWorld th century century - - 19 Choirs / Choral Societies Slovenian Jazz à la carte A Brim-Full Dish of Variety Mario Batelić

Even though the first Slovenian ensemble to feature the word jazz in their name emerged as early as 1922, jazz didn’t truly flourish here until after World War II. But its beginnings were difficult because, due to its American origin, this dance-oriented musi- cal genre was initially unwanted and at times even forbidden in post-war Yugoslavia. Jazz earned its Yugoslav residential status predominately owing to the efforts of Bojan Adamič (1912–1995), who founded the Radio Ljubljana Dance Orchestra, the precursor to the present day RTV Slovenia Big Band. Jazz became more widely popular here at the break of the 1960s. At the end of the 1950s, Slovenian jazz musicians started writing original music and 1960 marks the first Yugoslav jazz festival in Bled. Later it moved to the capital under the name Jazz Festival Ljubljana, where it celebrated its 60th anniver- sary last year. Today, there are several festivals held in various parts of Slovenia, such as Jazz Cerkno, Jazz Ravne, Creative Jazz Clinic Velenje, as well as concert series, which also significantly contribute to the scene (Ljubljana’s Defonija, Maribor’s Jazz v Narodnem domu…). Continuously active since 1945, the RTV Slovenia Big Band is one of the oldest ensembles of its kind in the world. Among others, the group featured band leaders and artists such as Peter In the early 1960s, the national big band working abroad, he returned to Slovenia Herbolzheimer, Mercer Ellington, Maria Schneider, David Murray, Michael Abene, Bob Mintzer, came under the leadership of Jože Privšek and turned to making a series of albums Nancy Marano, Peter Erskine, Ronnie Cuber, Paquito D’Rivera, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, Ernie (1937–1998) internationally known also as with world renowned musicians (Steve Watts, and Patti Austin. Photo: Jani Ugrin. Jeff Conway or Simon Gale, who had, Lacy, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Brötzmann). during his studies at Berklee, kept com- He founded a music school for young jazz inventive palette of melodies and rhythmic Evan Parker, Joëlle Léandre, Johannes pany with Quincy Jones. The time Privšek musicians, which gave rise to the Kombo patterns. In 2018, at the occasion of the Bauer, Agustí Fernández and others. headed the orchestra (1961–1995) is con- ensemble. Kaučič plays the ground drums 40th anniversary of his musical activity, he sidered the Big Band’s golden age. In the and uses them to create a colourful and released a five-cd box set titled Diversity, Saxophone player Cene Resnik is devel- 1970s and 1980s, Slovenian which was recorded with guest musicians oping his own unique approach; practicing jazz resounded in the sign of fusion (Sončna pot, Tone The Oldest (Running) Jazz Festival in Europe In the early 1990s, after working abroad for nearly 15 years, drummer and percussionistZlatko Kaučič (photographed behind the wheel) returned to Slovenia and recorded a series of albums Janša) – jazz mixed with The Jazz Festival Ljubljana started out in 1960 as with world renowned musicians (Steve Lacy, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Brötzmann). He also teaches rock, new wave, and tradi- the Yugoslavian Jazz Festival in Bled. From the and mentors young musicians; the school for young jazz musicians he founded, gave rise to tional bands (Begnagrad, very outset, it played a vital role in the integra- the band Kombo, which was recently “reincarnated” for the third time under the designation Miladojka Youneed, Qua- tion and presentation of Yugoslavian jazz groups Kombo C. Photo: Rene Vremec. tebriga, Lolita). In the 1990s, (particularly big bands) and later grew to serve after Slovenia seceded from as an invaluable annual review of new local and Yugoslavia, Slovenian jazz foreign jazz trends. For the last few years, con- musicians began developing certs have been held at numerous venues rang- ever greater individuality of ing from small clubs to larger halls; The festival musical expression, which focuses on modern jazz along with avant-garde enabled them to make a improvised music and places special emphasis substantial mark as authors, on featuring different generations of Slovenian both at home and abroad. musicians. In 2018, the festival won the European Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Program- From among those whose ming for its daring and visionary programme. fresh approaches to composi- tion broke new ground in the

Jazz 1990s, drummer and percus- Jazz sionist Zlatko Kaučič is per- haps one of the most note- worthy. After nearly 15 years

20 21 22 Jazz experimental music.Photo: © Oholo!. (2020) skillfulymeanders between “classic” jazz,African musical influences, improvisation, and experimental musicof theyounger andmiddlegenerations. TheirdebutalbumMnogobolje The septet Oholo!combines someof theleading protagonists of jazzandimprovised and expands the field of his exploration his of further.field expandsthe albumBrokenhis eleventh Circles , which cal-style ballads. Puklrecently released navigating between post-bop andclassi - of inspired modernexpression albums skilfully three released they together ki); Greg Ward and drummerKennyGrohows (which alsoincorporates saxophone player the ever-shifting line up of the Innertextures Among hisother projects, Lumpert heads and Of these,saxophone playersIgor Lumpert York.number ofSlovenianslivinginNew occurrencecians are for an everyday a Collaborations withAmerican jazzmusi- Rob Mazurek. joined byguest trumpet player, American tival, theCeneResnik Free Stellar Trio was which was recorded at theJazzCerknofes (Acamar Trio). OnthealbumAgeofChaos, alongside ahard standard rhythmsection bak Trio, Cene Resnik Quartet), as well as (Om- cello a Furlan), Resnik, Brdonč, (trio differ of forent line-ups, example with two guitars variety a with playing home at sive intensity andlyrical sound.Heiswell his methodical alternating between deci- Buddhism issurely afactor contributing to Jure Puklare particularly successful. - - -

experimental music. classical music, jazz,improvisation, and new and old of influences blends genially Robert Frost). Hermulti-layered musiccon- by notable poets (e.g.Pablo Nerudaand music shecomposes for heroctet to verses cal musicalsoholdsacentral role inthe combines jazz andclassical music.Classi- bum she impressed thepublicwith hersoloal- just oneofthemost recent ones.In2013, Eldh andChristian Lillinger), to mention ing the trio Punkt.Vrt.Plastik (with Petter with several international line ups includ- for Stars in March 2020. Draksler also plays which launched their second album (Ab Baars, Lotte Anker, Ada Rave etc.), ied andgathered membersfor heroctet in theNetherlands. Thisiswhere shestud - is pianist KajaDraksler , whoworksmostly Another Slovenianmusicianactive abroad notable soloroles, taking turns withPukl. ture, thesetwoinstruments alsoassume from tex impressionist sound refined a weaving aside roles; important particularly Altura) andvibraphone (Joel Ross) play of musicianswherein theguitar (Charles For this purpose, he put together a quintet , which cleverly Lives ofManyOthers, whichcleverly Out - taneously playsboth instruments and DrummingCellist called band” “one-man a heads Krajnčan Kristijan Krajnčan. Matković anddrummercellist Igor which herecorded withtrumpet player in 2020 (Rare Ebb and turned to classical structure ontwoalbums bian Vojvodina, Szilárd Mezei. Šalamon re for example Hungarian violist from Ser improvisationalplayed withafew line-ups, less structured, butinrecent years healso self. Inthepast, hispieces were more or the bass, aswellacoustic guitars, him- er, ofhisrecent inafew lineupshetackled - howev (“bassless”); bass (double) no with years theconcept hedeveloped oflineups Paul McCandless,andTimBerne.Inrecent nowned musicianssuchasMichelGodard, more than30albumsfeature worldre jazz musicians, guitarist One ofthemost productive Slovenian both lively post-bop compositions andlyrical ballads. Photo: ©NadaŽgank andJazzCerkno. and thepublic.Heapplieshissingularlybeautiful andstrong saxophone tone withequalskillto years, he’s beenleading theever-changing of Intertextures, line-up aband hailedby both critics was invited to study there by renowned doublebass player Reggie Workman.For anumberof Jason Nazary. Saxophonist Igor Lumpert hasbeenlivingandworking inNewYork since 2000.He Igor Lumpert &Innertextures: from left Gregto right: Ward, Masa Kamaguchi,Igor Lumpert, in whichhesimul- ’s Samo Šalamon’s Common Flow), - - - younger septet Oholo!’s sters the soundofgroup There BeMon - of JohnZorn. Boštjan Simonenriches atop frantic free jazzeruptions inthestyle riffs metal and punk hard slams Koromač jazz inthestyle ofCecilTaylor. Theband himself fullyinafuriousversionoffree another pianist Drago Ivanuša immerses ism. On his last album, is dedicated to hypnotic pianist minimal- or Grgurevič Tine jazz. and noise, Rok Zalokar playsamixture ofavant-pop, Trioline-ups. Kukushai lead bypianist Slovenian scene teems with similar hybrid combines jazzandclassical music.The maturity. ble, aclear signoftheSlovenianscene’s Furlan, VidDrašler) isparticularly delecta- Ivanuša also, for example, Jošt Drašler, Gal The emergence ofsoloalbums(asidefrom improvised andexperimental instances. meanders between “classical” jazzand with classical and African music. The La Bête Humaine,

debut Bowrain skilfully 23 Jazz 24 Experimental Music aftermath we’re leaving underneath thesurface. Poetic withscientificacuity. Photo: Uroš Abram. known museums,galleries, andfestivals worldwide, bringusface to face withourselves andthe sound, andmultimedia art, awarded at therenowned ARS Electronica andfeatured at well- the increasingly devastating effects of humanactivity andacute soundpollution.Her music, sound forensics to not onlyunveil theunderwater flora and fauna’s sonority, butalso to lay bare Robertina Šebjaničcaptures theunderwater world usinghermicrophones andthenappliesher and institutional environments. models, DIY and self-organisingbetween space the in exists and networks) ternational in- labels, (festivals,concertinfrastructureseries, itselfstrong for a developed It scene. exceptionallyagile and diverse a is This trends.present-day associated their as well as art sound and music, electronic experimental improvisation, free music, classical ern mod- of context the in music experimental concrète, musique music, electro-acoustic of realms the span which scene, music Slovenian present-day the of segments certain variedcreativebroaddesignatetoin term(overly)the simmering this apply genres.We more fringe musical practices, across the expanses of various musical plains, styles, and certain defines mainly currently which music, experimental of term the ride to aim We Luka Zagoričnik Slovenia A Depiction of theCreative Simmeringinthe Fieldof Experimental Musicin Varied Musical Kaleidoscope An Exceptionally Exciting and well-known modernSloveniancomposer modernisms. Its early herald was the most pre-war avantgardisms andpost-war Experimental musicisthesuccessor of acoustic musicthat followed theheritage the tradition of electronic and electro- branch ofexperimental musicstems from and trombonist Vinko Globokar. Another take usto uncommon soundscapes, where join forces withawidecircle ofcreators to Zorman andIrena Pivka (ConaInstitute) precarity, andnational minority. Brane cruel realities oftheissuesrepression, sound narative reveals theastounding and Nina Dragičević ’s intense electro-acoustic Composer, violinist, theoretician, andpoet vironmental issueswiththeaidofscience. which theartist rigorously approaches en- into anunderwater soundscape through Šebjanič transportworks ofRobertina us The crickets. of sounds quiet and soft the ambient soundscapes reverberate with Spačal’s fragile multi-media artist Saša the urban andthenatural. Sound-and the world of man and animal, between landscape betweentaneously imaginary soundscapes across anactual andsimul- every-day different stretches He sations. day noisesincompositions andimprovi- field recording practices of includingevery- participates inthearena ofcontemporary Perovšek up It is represented by the still-active line- Cage, aleatoric music,andimprovisation. of historical minimalismandideas ofJohn Saeta withBorTurel and Boštjan literally ‘non-listening’. * festival ispart of Shape,astrong European festival platform. visual performances, anddifferent spaces. This internationalcontemporary of modernmusical expressions, audio- clubculture, soundandmultimediaart, while, theSonica festival enters varied fluidcreative centres by way ofjunctions plant inZasavje, inducts usinto thesphere ofnoisy soundderivations. Mean- suitable industrial environment oftheformer miningfacilities andthermal power Zasavje Noisefest International festival ofnoisemusic,whichtakes place inthe Sunday NoiseinBistricabljana, obSotli, andKlubŠtala inVipava. Thepowerful national participation; theseincludeDefonija, ConfineAperto, Friforma inLju- on-site. Thescene also produced several active concert serieswithstrong inter togethers ofmusicianswiththefestival’s programme spontaneously generated participants; itpresents abrand festival new modelbased onspontaneous get- Improcon istheresult ofthecollaboration between SlovenianandCroatian shops. Theinternational congress offree improvised music,arts, andthoughts are with significant, strong international attendance, and includemusicwork andthe Brda MusicFestivalbljana Contemporary inGoriška Brda. Both festivals The mainSlovenianfestivals offree improvised musicare Neposlušno* inLju- The Experiment of “Festivalling” a Slovenianword meaning ‘disobedient’ butwiththeconnotation ofnot listening, at its core. Thelatter still actively line-up line-up bels. Membersoftheprincipal Slovenian international networks, festivals, andla- than before. areever associated They with more flourish adherents its Today, ing the early industrial music of stems from the musicofthe1980sinclud- Slovenia, such radical sound aesthetics In further. approaches these all tensifies music noise so-called condenses, radicalises, sharpens,andin- the of field The notable Ars Electronica. , Droljc which are regularly featured at the case, for example, withtheworksofTadej aesthesia ofsoundandimage. Thisisthe anintense syn- work open,wecan observe music. Whentheboundariesofthisframe matter outside thestrict parameters of perceivingmodern art, soundasaunique world ofsoundartwhichspans musicand radio become soundgalleries. Weare ina soundscape, andwhere agreenhouse or a run-of-the-mill walk transforms into arich narration, post techno, club music, and electro-acoustic experiments, audio-visual ence inraw harshnoisewithdarkambient and Domen Učakar Domen Ontervjabbit, combine theirexperi- Neven M.Agalma Laibach. - - - 25 Experimental Music 26 Experimental Music Photo: ©Ontervjabbit. Octave Mirbeau’s cultbookof thesametitle,isaveritable magnumopus of noise. at homeandinternationally. Theirlatest albumTorture Garden , inspired by Japanese Author and clusters, andrefined echoes of post-techno andindustrial music.Theduoisactive both Duo Ontervjabbit combines DIYelectronics, darkshadesof ambientmusic,intense noisewalls Photo: Sunčan Stone. converge. where artistic areas in-between worlds musicians andcreates space for numerous hegeneratesowner; an initiator andlabel Tomaž Grom isalso established improviser, an internationally from being Aside Kikiriki, mentioned here are that simplymust be these two, thecreators Garden. Alongside epic album Torture their latest conceptual these are featured on of all meta-narrations; scene differ. approaches to the ter dhlebi, , even thoughtheir , even and Lifecut Cadlag, Um- - impressive vocal improvisations of Irena the hurdy-gurdy, modified Samo Kutin’s and electronic soundsofJaka Berger, low hisexample. Theprocessed drums community. Aplethora ofimprovisers fol- cultural landscape andtheinternational music aplace both inthewider Slovenian gies, whichtoday lendfreely improvised ment co-shape mechanismsandstrate Above all,hiscreativityment. andengage instrumentaudio-visual knownasIMstru - tro-acoustic music.Hecreated anotable and theatre, contemporary jazz,andelec music, integrating itinperformance art sion onthedoublebass withelectronic Heexpandsact. hisdistinct sound expres ups, andboth asaband memberandsolo tercollaborates fixed line- with ad-hoc and double bass playerTomažGrom. Thelat pioneer,Kaučič and percussionist Zlatko active proponents includeits still-active present scenes on our musical territory. Its two decades andbecame oneofthemore last the in intensified practice this venia, realm of freely improvised music. In Slo If we utterly abolish form, we enter the globe. Photo: JaniPeternelj. It left its markonnumerous club-, concert-, museum-,and festivalgallery-, stages across the in thecontext of freely improvised music,avant-pop, performance-, andmodernclassical music. within a mysterious, frightening, and poetic physical nature of the embodiment of voice released Irena Z.Tomažin’s voice issimultaneously ethereal, penetrating, andsonorous. Itreveals from ------between spaces. here, are numerous convergences andin- intheseparts,history butwhat itdoeshave essarily haveahomogenous andcommon musical kaleidoscope, whichmaynot nec innovative, extremely exciting and varied tionally active. It holds within itself a wide, scene isthemost integrated andinterna - ofmainstreamriphery musical activity, this Even though often relegated to the pe very fringes. the from stream main the fluences mental music inSloveniathat silentlyin- experi- of field the in simmering creative ofthe This was merely aquickoverview blends allthesoundaesthetics above. and electronic musician vocalist, flautist, composer, improviser, of eters ofsound.While,theomnifarious work Hočevar work ofdrummerandcomposer Dré A. Tomažin, andtheconceptual frame Z. all break theestablished perim- Maja Osojnik - - - 27 Experimental Music 28 Folk & World Music their own idiosyncratic music music styles according to and other global popular world, electronicjazz, rock, were merging folk musicwith younger generations, who and worldmusicamongthe upsurge ofinterest infolk millennium sawan The new showcase domestic ones. to platform a offered as well music artists to Sloveniaas able number of leading world ing strong) brought anenvi- Bled in1991(both still go and theOkarina Festival in Druga Godba festival in1984 music festivals suchasthe dium. The inception of world to emerge ontheglobal po larize worldmusic,whichhadjust started popu- to first attempts made the were and Society also whenCultural Ethnomusicological cal heritage begun taking shape.Thiswas promoting more authenticforms ofSlovenianmusi- and preserving towards shift 1980’s and1990’s that amore conscious music backyard. Butitwasn’t untilthelate started to re-discover theirowntraditional as avant-garde musictrends oftheperiod, the Anglo-American folk revival musicaswell by influenced generations, younger nacular types of music to the 1970’s, when We can trace the interestrenewed in ver contemporary folk musicperformers. an invaluable source and inspiration for field of recordings, whichto thisdayprovides archive massive a created They collect these“wild”flowers them. andpreserve and unearth to was mission whose folklorists, of ear the caught music folk vernacular when ago, time long a began wilderness this through wading Slovenia, In wrote. once US the from Nazarian Vera writer wilderness,”sci-fi is folk then… place, a is music “If Katarina Juvančič Exploring Folk &WorldMusicinSlovenia Wilderness Answering theCallof the Folk Slovenia was established - - leading musicacts from across theglobeand quainting thelocal audience withtheworld’s 1984, itremains thedrivingforce behindac world musicfestival inthecountry. First heldin Druga godba isthehighest-profile andoldest The Festival of OtherMusic - music circuit; she flirts with ancient bal- ancient with flirts she circuit; music known nameintheinternational world puppeteer Brina Vogelnik, is also a well- home and abroad. Brina, led by singer and albums allthewhileregularly touring at havereleasedthey highlyacclaimed seven urbantemporary experience. To thisdate, offolk andtransformingagery itinto acon- Katalena keeps rejuvenating therustic im- soaring harmonies,the19-year-old band terial, vocals, solid and rock rhythms, edgy archival musical lore and self-penned ma- folk musictoday. Withits uniqueblendof the most active cores ofSlovenianworld/ Vasko Atanasovski still represent oneof Rudi Bučar, and, more of a jazz-world buff, such asKatalena , and bands performers of “flock” musical and aesthetic preferences. Thismillennial years. festivals for five the world’s top 25 ranked itamong Songlines has music magazine music. TheBritish world, orfusion grown talent infolk, promoting home- Brina, ae Dovč, Janez - 2018). label award for 5consecutive years (2014- Thelabelwon theWOMEXLjubljana. best It isbased inGermanywithanoffice in music aswell aslocal traditions androots. promoting global hybridandcross-genre owner Peter Weber(D)to release records (USA), andmanager andGlitterhouse label in 2012by artist andproducer ChrisEckman The Glitterbeat record labelwas co-founded band Vruja. spiration to themore traditional-sounding and tunesare alsoanendlesssource ofin- original andtraditional songs.Istrian songs tonic scales andpop-rock aesthetics ofhis fully walks thelinebetween Istrian penta- success still Bučar Rudi whereas clothing, venia claddingoldfolk tunesinnew, pop diverse musicianscalled Soundsof Slo- record label,andconducting acollective of with runninghismusicshows,theCelinka mentalistcurrentlyoccupiedis Dovč Janez accordionist, composer, andmulti-instru- and gearing adventures. upfor The new long hiatus, theband Brinaisregrouping a After manner. acoustic airy, an in tions lad material addingcontemporary inven- Čauševič. Photo: Tadej Europe extensively. been touring tak:til) andhave label subsidiary two with Glitterbeat albums (thelast widely acclaimed have released three geography. They by tradition or remain unbound which nevertheless across theglobe, instruments from orfolkhome-made multitude of either layered witha soundscapes explorative acoustic create imaginary seems to beto guiding principle Kutin) whose Kravanja, Samo Koren, Ana musicians (Iztok and inquisitive skilled, versatile, of incredibly Širom isatrio - 29 Folk & World Music 30 Folk & World Music t oe n ara. ld Keln often Kreslin, Vlado abroad. and home at Jovanović, continue wowingaudiences terpreter oftheBalkan songlore, Klarisa nifico, careers music spanning three decades, suchasMag- with performers prolific Meanwhile, thewell-established andstill- Photo: Luka Kaše. more contemporary soundand makes itappealing to themusical tastes of younger generations. records andmodernises itwithdynamicrock rhythmsand funkdrive. Thislendsthemusica The group Katalena collects traditional Slovenian musicinarchives, songbooks, andoldvinyl Balkan andpopularmusicrhythmsalongwiththeirhighlyspecific“English”. Photo: Tomo Brejc. Many of his songs are exceptionally popular in Slovenia and known abroad for their quirky mix of With hisBalkan gigolo image, Magnifico isoneof thebest-known Slovenian musiciansabroad. Vlado Kreslin, andtheardent in - 17 albumsandextensively toured andcol- sical wanderings. Sofar, hehasreleased elders and their shared international mu- Beltinška banda –native Prekmurje’s er, and then in the early 1990s fell in with begun asarock hismusical sing- journey referred to asthe BobDylanoftheBalkans, neck ofthewoods andare alsoadoyenof nationally renowned musical acts from this Širom have become one ofthemost inter and vocal Inthelast imagery. years, few and natural worldthrough abundant sonic able andmystical synergies ofthehuman songwriter JaniKutin, explore theuntam- band instrumental trioŠirom, like theirsister ingredient ofanymusical exploration, the roundings andarmedwithcuriosity, akey Steeped deeplyintheirimmediate sur trends. roots creativity aswellfrom novelmusic inexhaustible, centuries-old wellofgrass crasies that draw simultaneously from the idiosyn- crafted carefully and momentum discoveredderness withanewly localized are these charging Slovenianfolk/world musicwil- margins; cultural and riphery started to echo from the geographical pe Over thepast voices decade, new have spices. Latin, surf, reggae, and Balkan beat funk, singer,“schlager” pepperinghismusicwith George to a Balkan gigolo or an old-time St aDionysian-esque from fit, sees he as reinventing hisimage andmusical identity nifico is a different kind of beast, constantly laborated with renowned musicians. Mag- Photo: JanaJocif. arrangements andfield recordings of folk music. Europe andtheworld. Shehasreleased aseriesof herown folk-song primarily innatural spaces withideal acoustics andfrequently tours songs relate herpersonal relationship withtradition. Sheperforms Ljoba Jenče isasinger, storyteller, andcollector of folk music,whose Bakalina Velika led by farmer and - - - - Šulc recordings ofmusical traditions, Katja field layered and dub of fusion their with ternationally are theduoDarlaSmoking world musicperformers whoperform in- Drajnarjuva vampa. Otherinteresting of their(almost) next-door quirky-folky duo Fantje zJazbecove grape trio as well the maintraits oftheUršula Ramoveš in mentary, andmasterful storytelling are brimming withgallows humor, socialcom- scure folk symbolism, vernacular lyrics Witty provincial chanson-esqueandob Castle festival). tiator wanderer –accordionist andfestival ini- puppeteering are the signatures of another the globe.Globetrotting musicianshipand hear for yourself! music wilderness of Slovenia.Comeand no shortage of theseinthefolk andworld strangely fascinating things.There is simply able andsafe. It’s where onecan encounter weconsiderantidote predict to everything Wilderness is an untamable place, a sort of into roots music. her sporadic experimental vocal excursions Tomažin with Z. to music,andIrena etry many kindred artistic spirits from across with herproject ofsetting Roma po Matija Solce (Etno HistEria, Floating jazz. Sheworkswith cal and music,folk, ries between classi- scends the bounda- and composer, tran- ning harpist, singer, multi-award-win- Novaković, a young music, rising stars ofworld Among homegrown Global South. es on music from the whichfocusbljana, headquarters inLju- music label with Slovenian-German beat isarenowned Glitterbeat. Glitter Zvezdana - - - - - 31 Folk & World Music Rewind and Fast Forward The Avsenik Family in the Guinness Book of World Records Oberkrainer Music – a Slovenian-Born Genre Between Tradition and Innovation It was mostly owing to accordion player and composer Slavko Avsenik and his brother, arranger and producer Vilko Ovsenik that oberkrainer music was even Aleksi Jercog born and that it grew to the scale it has today. Even a quarter of a century since its dissolution, the Ansambel bratov Avsenik (Slavko Avsenik und seine original Alongside choir and brass music, the oberkrainer music genre is one of the most popu- Oberkrainer) remains the definition of this musical genre, with several books larized expressions of Slovenian musical culture. It could be said that oberkrainer music written about it. The Avsenik Museum in Begunje na Gorenjskem displays their is to Slovenia what country is to the USA, what musette is to France, or what liscio is to gold and platinum records attesting to millions of sold units across Central Eu- Italy. From the earliest attempts of combining folk and popular music, which gave birth rope and North America. This is how the Avsenik brothers proved that Slovenian to this musical genre in the mid 1950s, oberkrainer music securely maintained its posi- oberkrainer music can also be an excellent export. Avseniki performed in excep- tion on the Slovenian music scene and continues to evolve in the spirit of this tradition, tionally prestigious halls, such as the Berlin Philharmonics, where they held as though it does so in line with current trends. many as three stand–alone concerts. They also filled several sports halls such as the Wiener Stadthalle and Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana. The ensemble's most ac- On one hand, this can be observed in the ski muzikantje (Original Oberkrainer claimed song, polka Na Golici/Trompeten‒Echo, is at the very top of the list of introduction of contemporary techniques Sextett), Ansambel Franca Miheliča (En- most performed instrumental pieces of the world. Their march polka Planica, in music and present-day themes in lyr- semble Franz Mihelič), Ansambel Braneta Planica/Ski‒Flug: Planica has the honour of being played after every above- ics. On the other hand, it is evidenced in Klavžarja, Vagabundi (Alpen Vagabun- average ski flight at Planica Ski Flying Championships. The waltz Slovenija, odkod the overhauled look of the bands them- den), Ansambel Zupan (Robert Zupan lepote tvoje/Slowenien, du mein Heimatland has conquered Slovenian hearts and selves (which are partly exchanging their und seine Oberkrainer), Igor in Zlati become a kind of an informal national anthem. Three generations of musicians, previously standard national costumes zvoki (Igor und seine Oberkrainer), Okro- more than a thousand original compositions, more than ten thousand concerts, for everyday freestyle attire) and in pro- gli muzikanti (Die Runden Oberkrainer), thirty-four gold and platinum records, tens of awards and accolades from across ductions, which are increasingly lean- Slovenski zvoki, Veseli Begunjčani (Die the globe: already in 1990, all this has been certified, in the Guinness Book of ing towards pop. Of late, they are mainly Oberkrainer aus Begunje), and the excep- World Records. promoting their music using social media tionally popular Modrijani. and YouTube, which circulate their songs and videos across the globe. This new Ansambel Saša Avsenika (Sašo Avsenik wave of ensembles, made up of twenty- und seine Oberkrainer) can be considered and thirty-something year-old members, a sort of bridge between the young wave includes Poskočni muzikanti, Seksta- of ensembles and those who had already kord, Ansambel Banovšek, Ansambel written important pages in the history of Roka Žlindre, Ansambel Jureta Zajca, oberkrainer music. As a member of the Donačka, Gadi, Vražji muzikanti, S.O.S. third generation of the Avsenik musical kvintet, Mladi korenjaki (Die original family, Sašo Avsenik is making sure that Jungen Helden), Petovia kvintet (Pettau people can still hear his grandfather, now Quintett mit Larisa Majcen) as well as many legendary Slavko Avsenik’s evergreen others. tunes; at the same time, he is also compos- ing new songs which aim to make his en- These ensembles are able to play live at semble’s set list more current and win over various festivals, concerts, and on radio the younger audience. and television shows, which serve as prop- er springboards, particularly for the young- The other branch of Slovenian oberkrainer est ensembles. Competitive festivals with music is represented by the predecessor the longest traditions lay claim to more of numerous modern day diatonic button than half a century worth of history (Ptujski accordion players, Lojze Slak, who’s line- festival, Števerjanski festival). Non-compet- up, unlike Slavko Avsenik’s, also included itive festivals and thematic concerts (Festi- a folk instrument – the diatonic button val Avsenik, Alpski večer, Noč Modrijanov, accordion, and, in collaboration with Fan- Narodno-zabavni vikend v Begunjah), on tje s Praprotna, also revived polyphonic

Oberkrainer Music Oberkrainer the other hand, host ensembles boast- boys’ folk singing. Most young-wave en- Music Oberkrainer ing greater notability and richer histories; sembles are following in their tracks, which Three Generations of Avseniks at the Avsenik Museum. the most successful of these are Alpski is primarily due to the unexpected rise Photo: © Avsenik Museum. kvintet (Die Alpenoberkrainer), Sloven- in popularity of the diatonic accordion,

32 33 34 World Music as successful performers orpedagogues such brought about by numerous soloists, either The resurgence ofthisfolk instrument was 1980s. the of half first the followed which Novato Zoran Lupinc , Austria, andCroatia. cultivatedoberkrainer musicisalsofervently amongSlovenianminoritiesinItaly, clude Matt Hoyer, Frankie Yankovic, Miskulin, andWalter Joey Ostanek. Slovenian (Polka Mass).Accordion players whowonparticular fame inNorthAmerica in- Award for Best Polka Album),andinsomeplaces Polka playedat mass iseven sponding category was established at theannualGrammy Awards (Grammy land style Ohio)aPolka inEuclid(Cleveland, HallofFame was founded, acorre also to SouthAmerica. IntheUSA, thisresulted intheso-called Polka- orCleve waltz songsfar andwide:to Central Europe, theUSA, Canada,andto adegree amongSlovenianemigrants,ticularly evident whocarried Slovenianpolka and Oberkrainer musicholdsacertain striking self-identifying charge, whichispar Slovenian Polka Across theGlobe , Robert Goter andothers. Toni Sotošek, Denis hanke, years ago. were followed They byNavi- peared onthescene asmanytwenty nators ofthiswave, Vesele Štajerke, occurrence ofallgirlensembles.Theorigi- Another interesting phenomenonisthe Polka punce, Zapeljivke, - - - Fra ap - - the HomeTreasury). From (transl. zakladnice domače Iz certs Slovene minority’s RadioTrst A’s radio con- plesat (transl. Let’s andthe GoDancing) an SongsandTunes), RadioKoper’s Gremo vov (transl. AThursdayEvening ofSloveni- nape in pesmi slovenskih večer Četrtkov ensembles is ensured by Radio Slovenija’s ity ofliveperformances ofthisgenre’s best Radio Veseljak alsosprungup. The qual- stations,television suchasGolica TVand venian Greeting).Inadittion, private topical night showSlovenskipozdrav (transl. Slo Friday the viewers their offers Slovenija TV broadcast it into the ether. The national care andradio oftelevision stations, which oberkrainer of olderanddissemination ofcurrent Apart from the Internet, thepreservation andSlovenkeMädels), LadyKryner . slovenskih deklet (DieOberkrainer Polka jerke themselves, of course, headlining themainevent. Photo: Žiga Culiberg. Modrijanov (transl. ModrijaniNight);theevent features varied folk-pop bands withModrijani prizes at Slovenian folk-pop musicfestivals. Everyyear, thegroup stages thenow traditional Noč since 2000.Theyare known for theircharacteristic four-part harmoniesandhave won numerous Modrijani, currently oneof themost popularfolk-pop ensemblesinSlovenia, have beenaround (Die Oberkrainer Dirndl’n), Kvintet production, isprimarilyinthe - - even symphonyorchestras.even but alsobrass bands, and,asstated above, fore performed not onlyby ensembles, Avsenik jr. ). Thismusical genre isthere Adamič,JaniGolob, andSlavko Bojan music for symphony orchestras include composers who havearranged Avsenik’s symphony orchestra (academically trained sometimes intheaccompaniment ofa been hosting concerts ofAvsenik’s music, ious Sloveniancultural establishment, has themost dominLjubljana, karjev prestig- recent years, theGallusHallofCan- of themost prestigious musichalls.Inall making its to way thestages even ofsome had anupward andsuccessful trajectory, family inn,itcan besaidto havethusfar years ago inthecourtyard oftheAvsenik music took its baby steps almost seventy Considering that Slovenianoberkrainer - 35 World Music Brass Music on Slovenian Soil – a Musical Cradle of Orchestras Trantara-ri Now Blares Our Melody… Boris Selko

With its first official mention dating from 1665, brass music on Slovenian soil boasts a rich tradition. Its rise and heyday ensued a bit later, i.e. from the mid 19th century on- wards. When it all started, most musicians reaching for instruments were self-taught, few had musical education. As time went on, wind bands developed and transformed and today we can speak of high-quality orchestras with educated members holding second- ary school and academic degrees in music. This results in top-tier performances earning Slovenian wind bands a place among the world superpowers of this musical genre.

And what is the basic line-up of Slovenian band repertoires include various musical wind bands? They combine winds, brass, genres, they put effort both in orchestral and percussion sections; for more demand- interpretation and parade performance, ing concert pieces, these are increasingly which includes marching and standing joined by other instrument families. Wind playing in place. This type of performance

Composing for Winds Slovenian wind bands often reach for compositions by Slovenian composers, musical works of high, even world-class quality, which also increasingly appear on repertoires of foreign orchestras. Favourite composers include Bojan Adamič, Vinko Štrucl, Emil Glavnik, and Jože Privšek (known also as Simon Gale or Jeff Conway). Recently, Tomaž Habe has gained renown as well. It is not unusual to come across wind-band music by composers taking more modern approaches such as Milko Lazar, Igor Krivokapič, or Rok Golob. A new generation is also on its way, exemplarily represented by Peter Tovornik and Aleksander Čonč. According to WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles), the roughly 350 Photo: Tomaž Habe's personal archive. year-old Godbeno društvo rudarjev Idrija (Idrija Miners’ Wind Band Society) is the oldest wind- band society in Europe. Photo Robert Zabukovec.

most often also involves majorettes and cated members. There are many examples folklore groups. All musical experts are sure of wind band members making music their to be aware of the famous phenomenon profession. Studying at respected universi- of Ansambel bratov Avsenik (Slavko ties across Europe and the World brought Avsenik und seine original Oberkrainer), a many among them world renown and band which pioneered the so called ober- esteem as musicians or musical experts. kreiner music. Their line-up also included Therefore, wind bands in Slovenia are a what could be dubbed a miniature wind kind of cradle of excellent musical artists band, i.e. winds, brass, and a rhythm sec- and performers. We would not be amiss in tion while their music used 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 viewing them as incubators of high-quality time signatures, which are also most char- personnel. acteristic of brass music. Slovenian wind bands are also active and

Wind Bands The mere level of complexity of the scores successful internationally. Numerous com- Wind Bands as well as the musicians’ and artistic direc- petitions, festivals, and other ways of prov- tors’ aspirations for increased quality also ing quality hardly ever conclude without resulted in a greater number of highly edu- them achieving top results. This has been

36 37 Because It’s All So Lovely Here! A Ride on the Highway of Slovenian Pop-Rock Jaša Lorenčič

It was the year 2003. The group Siddharta shook the sold out central football stadium in Ljubljana with its “northern rock” in the accompaniment of the RTV Slovenia Sym- phony Orchestra. Thirty thousand people attended. A Slovenian band proved capable of matching what Metallica did four years ago at the same stadium. Right before joining the European Union, when Slovenian pop-rock videos competed with news programmes in prime time, it felt as though the present finally arrived in Slovenia too. Afterwards, we were left with the realization that everything they can do abroad can be done in Slovenia as well. This was enough for the young indie rock band Koala Voice to ironically sing today: “Because it’s all so lovely here!”

A Colourful Transition accolades and compliments, they became The great importance of the proportion of legitimate generators of the Slovenian mu- the foreign vs. the local was best known to sical scene. Laibach demonstrated that it those, who erected the historical pillars of was possible to get even further and break the local musical scene. Slovenia was the into the West. In Slovenia, external valida- Yugoslav republic whose progressive mu- tion has always been valued differently sic (Buldožer), punk (Pankrti), new wave than local validation. Waking up with wind bands: Every 1st of May (International Labour Day) at dawn, Slovenian wind (Lačni Franz), and synth pop (Videosex) bands roam their local areas playing marches door to door. The event is called Budnica (transl. inspired other republics. As these bands The only act to conquer Slovenia and then May Day Reveille) and is one of Slovenia’s most representative wind band events. returned from Zagreb and Belgrade with proceed to infiltrate the former Balkan Papirniški pihalni orkester Vevče (The Papirnica Vevče Wind Orchestra), May Day Reveille. Photo: Andrej Radselj. Gesamtkunstwerk Laibach proven over and again by Mestna godba There are more than 150 active Slovenian The band Laibach has been provoking and moulding the world’s music scene Kamnik, Godba Slovenskih železnic, brass and wind bands (with more than since the 1980s, not only with its ever-current music, but in all of its activity, KUD Pošta Maribor, Laška pihalna god- 10 000 members), which is an enviable covering all artistic and socially-political spheres as part of the NSK – Neue ba, Godba Cerknica, Pihalni orkester number for such a small territory. These Slowenische Kunst collective. Under the slogan “Art is fanaticism that demands Krka, Orkester Ave, Papirniški pihalni are subdivided in four levels of difficulty diplomacy.” it even formed its own NSK state. Photo: Ciril Jazbec. orkester Vevče and numerous other wind of which “artistic” is the highest. There are bands. also veteran brass and wind bands while youth orchestras guarantee that brass mu- The Slovene Brass Orchestra Union is an sic will also endure in Slovenia in times to umbrella organization which comprises come. most Slovenian brass and wind bands and collaborates exemplarily with the two pro- “Trantara-ri now blares our melody…” is fessional orchestras, those of the police the translation of lyrics to the instrumental- and the military. It runs projects hand in vocal march by Bojan Adamič, one of the hand with JSKD – The Public Fund for Cul- great Slovenian composers. In its interpre- tural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia tation, the composition is a reflection of and also has the support of the Ministry the Slovenian wind musicians’ favourite of Culture. The Union is a member of the activities, i.e. playing and delighting audi- International Confederation of Music So- ences both at home and abroad. cieties CISM and, by extension, UNESCO, which lends Slovenian wind bands a for- Wind Bands mal legal status in the international musi- / Rock Pop cal mosaic.

38 39 40 Pop / Rock venues, they alsothoroughly caught theear of theinternational public.Photo: SašaHuzjak. generation; withtheirmanyappearances at various European (showcase) festivals andother Koala Voice are considered oneof themost beloved Slovenian indie-rockgroups of theyounger contemporised by Siddharta’s stadium concert. Thisband tively successful transition was crowned the phenomenon at the time.Thisrela- for its piedestal, thoughitwas unaware of nia) finally ended the local (pop) rock’s wait station Slovenia(radio Val 202,TVSlove mination ofthepublicradio andtelevision At the break ofthe millennium,thedeter Path to X ful “retrologist”. local wholesome tradition, heisnowasuccess the challenge to influences porary If hespentthe1990sfollowing contem- him, if he really wrote the song himself! Evenhome, inLjubljana. hismother asked Magnificothough folk wroteeven tune it at stadium, as thoughit were a naturalised is sungat Marakana, theirlargest football example, in Belgrade, where his sition multitudes at homeaswellas,for better at charmingthevaried post-tran - gets continuously he it, with flirting always like home”. inthemainstream, Never but go (2014),herealised “there’s noplace to hear more songslike Hirajkom hiraj Magnifico. When foreign labels wanted market withoutneglecting theformer was Big Foot Mama’s Pukni zoro

hard - - - bands (Nude,Društvo mrtvihpesnikov ) driven guitar-riff from direction changed Inthe pastan poprock. decade, thisgenre thebatonincreasingly carrying ofSloveni - putting outhitsongs,while own pace of) for thethird time,does its best to keep (its active and,inspite ofchangingtheirsinger end ofthescale, theband Tabu once was. Ifyoulean more towards thepop ic soulsisovertaking nostalgia, whatever it through themegaphone oflocallly patriot Mama, orMi2,whosesocialcriticism with theswornandunchangingBigfoot jump to hard guitar music, youcan’t miss If youwant to seeSloveniascream and Koper.and nearly Maribor, equals those in Ljubljana, can provide aconcert experience which Slovenian towns are discovering that they camethat to eventually fruition.Nowsmall town and village. This triggered a change rock can Slovenian make its way into every though respectfully demonstrating that nian classichard rock cannon andhumbly abroad before less successfully, seekingtheirpath (to x) low the example ofLaibach by, somewhat garage rock andthenattempted to fol- becoming part oftheSlove remains - - tic concert series pletely changed direction withtheiracous comto they - perform almost everywhere, 2004 became a big hit and enabled them stream. After their song to move away from therock (media)main- Dan Ddemonstrated that itwas possible Meanwhile, theNovomesto-based band The DanDExperiment famed Slovenska popfestival. popevka but alsosonorously brave heritage ofthe specific the up make who RaivenSirk, ), and particularly women(Neisha,Lea ing men(JanPlestenjak, OmarNaber ) to individual distinctly pop-oriented lead- Photo: SimoneDiLuca. on solocareers, whichwillfollow thetrajectory set outby theinitialline-up. Lately, both Slovene Luka ŠulićandhisCroatian colleague Stjepan Hauserhave beenfocusing arrangements of well-known popandrock songs,aswell asclassical musicandfilmscores. Throughout theircareer, theduolinedupaplethora of instrumental hits comprised of Smooth CriminalontheYoutube platform, theybecame aword-wide crossover phenomenon. soonastheSlovenian-CroatianAs duo2Cellos unpretentiously publishedits debutvideo confined themselves to the first, garage. the At to themselves confined Tiho (transl. Quietly) and Čas (transl. Time)in - taking themacross Slovenian borders, it “breakdown”ment atemporary ofthevan apromising bandIf ever shouldtrulyla- Snowflakes Koalas andtheTwo Millennial ing for Faith NoMore. ed foreign soil,getting asfar even asopen- Elvis Jacksonwhomost succesfully tread- evolve. to Among “premiere league” bands, itwas and contemporary, different, a changed rock music,whichdared to be pilgrimage ofallthosewhowanted to hear coming to Muhammad, there followed a as pertheoldadage ofthemountain not were invited later, to jointhem,however only colleagues andfellow townspeople 41 Pop / Rock Slovenia – a Wild Land A Small Country of Metal People Ivan Cepanec

Even though the small country of Slovenia only sparked the interest of the world metal audience in 2004 with the appearance and development of its Metalcamp festival (later changed to MetalDays), it has since become the home of an exceptionally dynamic and rich metal scene, which is shaped by numerous bands, concert organizers, various clubs, and festivals.

Until 1991, it was part of the large Yugoslav political reasons stood in their way. It is a scene. Local bands, such as for example known fact that, even then, the Slovenian Pomaranča (Orange), Interceptor, Sar- scene already had something to offer the casm, Epidemic Zone, Xenophobia world; The Koroška region’s locals Xeno- created, gigged, and attempted to break phobia were close to releasing an album through abroad. However, economic and with Nuclear Blast, one of the biggest metal

What Else Matters? In love with one another and their music, the ethereal zalagasper (Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl) enchanted the international audience at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: Ana Šantl. With the slogan “What Else Matters?”, the current and best-known Slovenian metal music festival MetalDays is continuing the mission first undertaken by the is Koala Voice. This indie rock four swiftly fessors), while Stray Train’s hard work and former Metalcamp festival. It is continuing the tradition of an integrated metal conquered club venues, larger halls, the efforts have demonstrated that hard rock holiday presenting a line-up of 80 bands in 7 days each year including world- public, and won critical acclaim ensuring can also be re-imported to Slovenia. renowned acts. In addition, it also provides less established and especially un- their place as the opening act for the Pixies. known bands sailing the waters of extreme music with the opportunity to per- Yes, it all went quickly. The Slovenian festival Gora rocka (transl. form. Of course, there is more to the metal holiday than just bands; the experi- The Mountain of Rock), which has now ence includes anything a metalhead could desire – from cocktails to various Among other ways, Koala Voice also become an annual event, presents a cross sporting and adrenalin-filled activi- crossed the elusive line between alterna- section of the pop rock scene. Slovenia ties, all this surrounded by stunning tive and mainstream music by playing at continues to hold competently organised nature at the confluence of two the main state commemoration ceremony, secondary-school (Špil liga) and university crystal-clear alpine rivers. which is unusual even for established Slo- (ŠouRock) competitions, which still adhere Photo: Stipe Surać. venian rock performers. Therefore, it is to guitar rock. However, where the key neither exception nor rule, but rather mil- yearly mainstream musical event – EMA the lennial ingenuity which can address the final selection for Eurosong – is concerned, public at the right time and widely enough guitars very, very rarely prove successful. for their tune to make it to a popular televi- EMA is the ultimate media prism of the sion series (Ekipa Bled). This generation is music scene. This is why it resounded so not only comprised, but defined by similar much more with zalagasper, a duo, which bands, such as Mrfy, Joker Out, and Fed re-examined the parameters and even Horses. All these play finely tuned, genre- purpose of mainstream. These “millennial specific, and genuinely reckless rock, while snowflakes from a galaxy far, far away” won their concerts are populated by a cross- the public vote, indicating a possible musi- section of their peers and those who prefer cal future, whatever it may once become. mainstream music.

And if you want to find out about all the

Pop / Rock Pop places a band can play in Slovenia and Metal then abroad, a highly colourful answer will be supplied for you by the band Prismo- jeni profesorji bluesa (Wacky Blues Pro-

42 43 Noctiferia are considered the first Slovenian metal band to break out into the world whose every The brutal Within Destruction comprise two members from Slovenia, one from the USA, and publication transcends the boundaries of extreme music. They are currently preparing an album another from Italy. They offer something new with each new record. On their current Yokai of remakes of Laibach songs in collaboration with renowned performers of this music scene such album, what started out sounding like classic American melodeath metal, has become a as David Vincent (Vltimas, ex-Morbid Angel), Attila (Mayhem), and many others. Photo: Alen Orlič. combination of slamming death metal and trap.They toured the US and Asia several times, criss- crossed all of Europe, and are now announcing a forthcoming invasion of Australia. Photo: © Within Destruction.

labels in the world today, while metal en- and it is worth noting that they have been their early beginnings of playing melodic whose vision of drone-noise-post metal thusiasts worldwide consider the split CD evolving and changing throughout this death metal they have grown into a de- evolves further with each new album. by doom metal groups In A Spleen and time. From groove, through death and structive slamming death metal force, and Their most recent independent single Urn, Obscurity one of the most sought after black metal, to gothic rock, they success- are, with their upcoming album, already which they launched as a Christmas single, albums. fully incorporated it all into their constantly transforming into a modern technical consists of a single 17-minute song, and is transforming DNA. They even recorded death metal band, which sees no shame in more diverse and varied than many con- As the years passed, political-economic their acoustic album titled Transnatura in flirting with other genres, such as trap. temporary metal albums. Among others, changes in Slovenia and particularly Slove- collaboration with Slovenian musicians The Canyon Observer’s performances have nia’s accession to the EU in 2004 facilitated from other musical genres, while the band Srd is the leading name of Slovenian black predominantly attracted the attention of the growth and expansion of the the Slove- is currently focusing on making an album metal; it is slowly taking over the world un- English organisers, who invited the band nian metal scene. Today, at least in metal covering songs by the legendary Laibach der the umbrella of The Sinister Initiative to several festivals; they are also the first circles, the country is most frequently as- in collaboration with performers from the lead by the legend of Swedish depressive Slovenian metal band to have toured Cuba. sociated with its MetalDays festival, which world-wide metal scene. black metal Niklas Kvarforth. They first is not only unique in its duration and commanded attention with their black ‘n’ Eruption and Vigilance stand out in the concept, but also prized for its strong eco- Perhaps even more renowned right now, is roll debut, which included their musical traditional metal circles. Both of these logical tone. And it is this festival that often the death metal band Within Destruction. rendition of the poem Soči by Slovenian bands’ albums regularly exceed the limits introduces Slovenian bands to foreigners In the course of 10 years, this band became poet Simon Gregorčič; next, they covered of speed-, trash-, and power metal; they and serves as an excellent springboard one of the most widely recognised names most of Europe earning high praise at the also both found their homes at foreign la- launching them into the world. This article of Slovenian metal because their excellent English Bloodstock festival and elsewhere. bels, and frequently perform abroad. will focus on a few line-ups whose current Internet promotion, very good albums, and They are already stirring things up again activity irrefutably attracts the attention of perseverance earned them a home at the with their new material, which will prob- It is therefore obvious that, considering the the world’s metal audience. Unique Leader Records, which is consid- ably be entirely in Slovenian, an approach country’s small size, the Slovenian metal ered one of the best-known labels on the which is, at least on the world black metal scene is copious, active, and dynamic. First there is Noctiferia, the first Slovenian death metal scene. They are also the first scene, regarded highly. Even if you only explore the names above, Metal Metal metal band that also succeeded to perform Slovenian metal band that toured the USA you are sure to discover a lot, and this is beyond their country’s borders. They have repeatedly as well as played in Asia. They We mustn’t forget to mention the excep- only the tip of the iceberg. been playing continuously for 25 years too have evolved with each record; since tionally loud The Canyon Observer,

44 45 46 Singer-songwriters status of singer-songwriters. Photo: ©Kantfest International. derives from theItalian cantautore) andkanta , meaning dustbin–ametaphor for themarginal awarded actual dustbins – a wordplay onkantavtor (Slovenian word for singer-songwriter, which Slovenia andbeyond heldannuallyinthetown of Ruše(NE Slovenia). Thethree winners are Singing for adustbin: Kantfest International isacompetitive festival for singer-songwriters from Šifrer builttheirfame largely onAmerican 1960’s; abroad asAlexander John), Mežek late Aleksander the Domicelj, singer-songwriters in Slovenian emerged first The cal, intimate, sociallyengaged, orprotest songs. away in private living-room concerts, or luring crowds to big concert halls with their lyri- musicalstreets,storytellersmance.modern on foundThese busking canbe strumming perfor to approaches and styles, literary forms, musical of cornucopia a using across message their put who birds sundry of flock a up make singer-songwriters Slovenian Katarina Juvančič Singer-Songwriters From Slovenia Gone? Where Have AlltheTroubadours and (known Andrej Tomaž and artistically withmu- blendingpoetry emerged, whofavoured idiosyncratically mid-70’s, wave ofsinger-songwriters anew Woody Guthrie andBobDylan. But bythe folk musiclegacy ofmasters thelikes of - singer-songwriter scene became more di- Throughout the1980’s andthe1990’s, the poetry. from traditional songs, chansons, and beat tion andcultivated subtler notes drawn equa- the to guitarriffs sharp and lyrics cal voiced distinguished amongthem,thehusky one-narrative” template further. Themost sters, the“six-strings-and- whodeveloped Their breakthrough inspired manyyoung- chanson-like tracks onCocktail (1974). Marko Brecelj’s lushlyorchestrated and Pengov’s lyrical Odpotovanja (1973), and sic, astyle whichculminated inTomaž mentaries, andalsoscored for filmandtheatre. Photo: Polona Eržen. tions. Hehastoured extensively at homeandabroad, appeared inmovies,docu- standards, whileothers haveinspired novels,feature films,anddoctoral disserta - nation’s folk musicheritage inthe1990s.Anumberofhissongshavebecome folk band Beltinška Banda,hewas responsible for interest ignitingrenewed inthe Vlado Kreslin isknownasakindofSlovenianBobDylan.Alongwithhisthen Bob Dylanof theBalkans Jani Kovačič, addedsociallycriti - Jani h frt eae f h newmillennium the of decade first The – Herzegovina). USA), and landscape” –ChrisEckman (from Seattle, cable part of the Slovenian “songwriter’s came from abroad andare nowaninextri- singer-songwriters influential most the of singer-songwriter inthecountry. Some pears inpublic,yet remains thebest-selling dialectal tales Iztok Mlakar, who rarely ap feisty poetess KsenijaJus,andmaster of Guček, grassroots bard AdiSmolar, drej Kreslin, Zoran Predin, Peter Lovšin, An- incorporating rock band frontmen Vlado broad-based, and professional, versified, Damir Avdić (from Tuzla, Bosnia - 47 Singer-songwriters Outside the Mainstream, Into the Future Following the Course of Alternative and Indie(pendent) Scenes Andraž Kajzer

Already while it was part of Yugoslavia, before gaining its independence in 1991, Slove- nia was renowned for its alternative music. This was chiefly due to its innovative and al- ternative bands like Laibach, Borghesia, Buldožer, and Pankrti, though events such as the yearly overview of the alternative scene of the time – the Novi Rock festival, headed by the now legendary concert promotor Igor Vidmar, certainly played an important part as well.

After Slovenian independence, Novi Rock the auspices of Radio Študent. With more endured until 2000, the very next year the than 50 years of heritage, Radio Študent re- Tomaž Hostnik (in the picture alongside his Drajnarjuva vampa co-member) is a classically baton passed to Klubski maraton (transl. mains one of the most important pillars of trained pianist, whose approach to composition melds his considerable academic understanding Club Marathon) – an annual competitive the local alternative scene. Klubski mara- of music with elements of chanson music in the style reminiscent of Tom Waits. Tomaž’s lyrics are marked by dialect, gallows humour, sharp social commentary, obscure folk imagery, raspy selection of six new bands, which contin- ton gave a leg up to a number of bands and vocals, and inventive melodies, all of which are staples of a masterful storyteller. Photo: Tomaž ues to scour all of Slovenia to this day under individuals, who continue to shape the re- Hostnik's personal archive.

saw the advent of a new generation of singer-songwriters, such as Tadej Vesenjak, Matej Krajnc, Andraž Polič, Boštjan Narat, the late Katarina Avbar, and duets such as Gal and Severa Gjurin, Katarina Juvančič & Dejan Lapanja, and Jani Kutin (Bakalina). Many of these honed their craft at the Kant- fest International festival, which was established in 2002 to cultivate and showcase fresh talents as well as provide them with a stage and studio experience. The local and international platforms for singer- Damir Avdić is a songwriters have been expanding master of heavy ever since, enabling a new breed of though catchy modern troubadours such as Martin riffs and lucid Ramoveš, Daniel Vezoja, Tomaž thoughts poured into sharp verses. Hostnik (duo Drajnarjuva vam- For years, this pa), Jana Beltran (duo All Strings singer-songwriter, Detached), Sandra Erpe, Jakob formerly known Kobal, Samuel Blues, Ditka etc. to as “the Bosnian psycho”, has been grow as performers and give fresh living and working Peter Andrej, singer-songwriter and Kantfest momentum to the singer-songwriter in Slovenia, where organiser: “If the Slovenian language were as scene. he predominantly

Singer-songwriters widespread as English, Slovenian singer-songwriters collaborates with Music Alternative/Indie would be world–famous stars.” Photo: Nejc Ketiš. performing artists and composes for theatre. Photo: Jože Suhadolnik.

48 49 50 Alternative/Indie Music forming around the MIKK club and the Slovenian alternative mecca of the time also reared an enviable scene with the During thisperiod, thePrekmurje region played inSouthAfrica andacross thepond. band in additionto touring Europe, the ska while, generations, new influenced ment rča MladinaandMoveknowledge Srečna Gala hala club and its bands alsocame outoftheMetelkova’s characters linked to theFV by influenced strongly period a 1980s, the tivated theircutting-edge soundalready in the heavy-hitting DemolitionGroup cul- Youneed, andavant-punk band 2227,to from thefree-punk-jazz band Miladojka many performers abroad. ranging Line-ups exploratory approach to musichastaken Through theyears, thepenetrating and tensive Sloveniannetwork andbeyond. Its clubscontinue to resonate withtheex with regular andabundantmusical events. and later anautonomous cultural zone established in the capital, at first as a squat proaches. Duringthistime,Metelkova silient core ofindividualityinmusicandap Photo: ©TheCanyon Observer performance how to pushto boundariesof both theirown andtheiraudience’s limitations. storm lurked calm andpeace”. Inrecent years, theydemonstrated witheach neweditionand The band TheCanyon Observer istheembodimentof theverse by M.J. Lermontov “as ifin Red Five Point Star also frequently Kapa institute. Later, label. Both God was - - -

Slovenian bands ontheinternational map. are currently one of the most enduring and theshoegazing Haiku Garden , who Portorož, rock inspired punkrockers Čao which boasts aCuban tour, theex-Yugoslav the post-metal TheCanyon Observer, varietydifferent a of fromby bands ranging albums out put they years recent in sions; expres different to doors its opened larly In thecourse of time,theKapa label simi- has beenactive for inLjubljana years. originally from Bosnia‒ singer-songwriter punk ing concert cessors mentioned here are Psychopath’s suc ent labels.Slovenianbands that must be ternationally better connected independ - active since 2004,isoneofSlovenia’s in- define. to difficult va- the intertwining why riety ofmusical expressions oftoday is is which fied, tive musicbecame exceedingly diversi- Through theyears, Slovenianalterna- Hexenbrutal. Psycho-Path Bless ThisMesslabelheaded bytheband Nikki Louder, andtheelectrify- Werefox and later ŠKMbanda and , theindestructible-in- Moonlee Records, Herzegovina, who ai Avdić, Damir - -

tok Koren, iscurrently performing across ber oftheŠKMbanda andHexenbrutal, Iz and wellconnected. For example, amem- The Slovenianalternative scene issmall MetalDays popular. are alsovery based festivals PunkRock Holiday and MENT bels Kunigunda in Velenje, the festival of - la riam prof. Peter Hafner, in Tolmin, theŠkofja loka based InMemo- latter, wemust mentiontheSajeta festival on local stages andat festivals. Amongthe scene’s eclectic character, as evidenced Audiences have always welcomed the rain. samples, andpianist andproducer Bow Smoking, The labelalsocollaborates withDarla indoor &best smallfestival at the2017 European Festival Awards. Austria, theCzech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, Germany. MENTwonbest region –especially Croatia, Serbia,andMacedonia, and from nearby countries: export offices. The conference isheavily attended byprofessionals from the media, syncagencies, PRagencies, networks, distributors, as wellasmanymusic labels, musicagencies, concert promoters andvenues,managements, music Colours ofOstrava…), music-related companies andagencies suchasrecord Who?, HaldernPop, Taksirat, Pop-Kultur, Glastonbury, Atlas Sziget, Weekend, (Pohoda, Tallinn IcelandLes Trans Airwaves, MusicWeek, Musicales, Le Guess Europe. Inrecent years, thefestival hosted representatives ofvarious festivals pean scenes, hosts itnevertheless bands andmusicprofessionals from allover Though festival focuses MENT Ljubljana onthelocal, regional, andEastern Euro The Best Indoor&Best SmallFestival TreskMaribor's, festival. Ontheother hand,genre-

a band grooving onworldmusic Lent, andLjubljana’s Trnje in Pivka, - - and drummer. Barka Experience oftwoDJs –aline-up the homeofconcert delicacy TheJimmy the boutiqueelectronic scene andalso label, whichisoneofthemainplayerson also closelylinked to theSlovenianrx:tx small foreign labels.Both ensemblesare recent years mostly beenpublishingwith YGT formers are alsocloselyassociated with hop isaliveandkickingtoo. Theseper trappers such asMito, A multitudeofrappers ofboth genders afore mentionedMoveknowledgement. tonbury, isalsotheformer frontman ofthe N’toko, whoactually performed atGlas of themore notable Slovenianrappers folk music”,makes “imaginary whileone the globewithŠirom, aband which , theproducer duoandVJ, whohavein Matter OYGN attest to thefact that hip- , orthemodern-day - - - 51 Alternative/Indie Music 52 Alternative/Indie Music sible include bands that are also not afraid to beacces Voice covered nearly allofEurope. Other recent years, inspite oftheiryouth,Koala closer to themainstream –for example, in sion, bands forming thisscene alsomove Etceteral synth-pop band Torul, whichfrequently band as amore experimental soloact orwithher brass-playing bands, beitpunkjazzband Koromač, of aplethora ofSlovenian jazzinspired Kakalulu, whichisalsocloseto thehearts rica are thewheelhouseofband Nesesari afraid to fusegenres. ThesoundsofAf Alternative musicinSloveniacertainly isn’t bit, alsooften performs abroad. half oftheambientnoiseduoOntervjab- noise producer Lifecutter, whoisalsoone other highlyactive clientat thislabel,while space andtheGrounded festival isan- electronic duothat manages thePritličje ment. another memberofMoveknowledge publishalbumsofShekuzamusic. They , cuses primarilyonexperimental electronic Another boutiquelabel,Kamizdat, and more. Photo: Eros Brajko. saxophone, anddrums,theirplayfultunescombine influences breakbeat, of jazz,funk, dubstep, the contemporary London jazzscene. Even thoughtheirmusic-making islimited to thetuba, The Pantaloons ‘drum &brass’ trioderives its inspiration both from Guča-style hornplayers and Liamere, thefuturistic Futurski, the Warrego Valles –anexperimental , ortheself-made Mart.Onocca- Malidah, electrified Pantaloons, either on her own fo - - - -

them. just astheirpredecessors haddonebefore ing traces oforiginalexpression abroad, ture generations andsimultaneously leav- scene, which is layingfundaments for fu- building blocksofanextremely diverse those listed abovestand asindispensable and possiblyalsoutmost longevity. All market or patterns is of utmost importance that conforms neitherto theneedsof novative andpenetrating expression. Music These underdogs possessanenviablein- grunge trioadheringto DIYprinciples,7AM. aesthetics enthusiastslo-fi niche bands – such as the ultra-productive maraton turnedupabunchofpromising bel NoiseAppeal. Inrecent years, Klubski trial synthduoispublishedbyAustrian la- is a must-see live, this Leipzig based indus ging heavy guitars. TheIt’s everyone else dance-oriented more rock-oriented BodySaysNo, and The tours abroad. regularly which and influences Slavic with unique expression combines 1990sRNB , whose performs inGermany, andКУКЛА Human Host Body, Karmakoma Leechfeast, the balans andthe travel lag- - concert to pass themicrophone withthegroup. surprising is the number of Slovenian rappers who jumped on stage at the tail end of the The Roots played Ljubljana as early as 1994 is a kind of validation, but what is even more up historicalbursts.mereline American The no-less-than-legendarytoday fact the that in happened initiatives associated their and practices hop hip Slovenian millennium, In the pioneer years of Slovenian hip hop, i.e. from the mid 1990s to the start of the new Borja Močnik How Far DotheSlogans of Slovenian Rhyme-Kickers Fly? Can They KickIt?! out among internationally ful lyricist N’toko stands “alter rap”, thelucidand skil- The renowned veteran of scene. an exceptionally vibrant rap of Velenje, whichitself boasts from the small mining town by Hiphop Reunion are both run and theregionally specialized Noise the Bring festivals cific names of rap. Two genre-spe gional andworld-renowned which hosted numerous re Rapetek (transl. Rap-Friday), knownas a monthlyevent for years been thescene of former the areaLjubljana, ofthe players better organised. In different, areevents fragmented and entirely course, Today, thesituation is,of nian rappers. the best-known ofallSlove storyteller andperhapseven Klemen, Ljubljana’s master corded in2000byKlemen album best-selling Slovenianrap thus-far the with period first the of end the drough’s debutalbum.Wecould mark ously named Maribor-based duo Dan- continued in1996withtheconspicu- with dropping sporadically. Itstarted in1994 In those years, Slovenian rap albums were Mrigo, arapper activist Ali En’s cultalbumLeva scena and Trnow stajl . Itwas re Metelkova squat has - - - - Photo: Jizah's personalarchive. ticity andcommercialism.” ing thethinlinebetween underground authen- – always respecting thelawsofslangandwalk whiff ofrural authenticityandspecificlocal tint hip hopaesthetics andiconography butaddsa scene Jizah, Slovenianhiphop“... utilisiesglobal and organizer, andall-round connoisseur ofthe According to radio anouncer, promoter event Authenticity A Global Aesthetic WithaWhiff of Rural The language barrier naturally resulted in extendinghis belt, asfar asJapan. has quite internationala few tours under rhymes inboth EnglishandSlovenian former national freestyle champion spits acknowledged Slovenianrappers. This - 53 Hip Hop 54 Hip Hop makers, whoisnot tiedexclusively to the beat these first of the few; lista Letus MCs. breakthrough thanthemainprotagonists – ing greater potential for aninternational hav- beat local feature makers of specific a the Glastonbury festival. Hefrequently performs withlive bands. Photo: BorutPeterlin. rappers whoalsowrites inEnglish.Heisnostranger to foreign countries; heeven appeared at N’toko isamulti-award-winning national freestyle rap champion,andoneof thefew Slovenian which features well-known Slovenian andforeign performers. hip-hop Photo: Andrija Željko 100 events of differing genres yearly. One of its regular seriesis Rapetek (transl. Rap‒Friday), The Gala Hala venue can in Ljubljana accommodate approximately 350 visitors and hosts around Maribor-based A.C.,whore youthEmiljo out among the younger generation are the the likes ofrap giantRaekwon.Standing tik. Inthepast, hehascollaborated with hip hopscene, istheUSA-based Grama- - sical industry statisticssical industry intheBalkan area. record numbers ofstreams andother mu- goslavia, “pop trap” singer inthespace offormer Yu- the currently best knownfemale Slovenian who isincharge ofproducing music for is theexceptionally successful Cazzafura, eos. Regionally, thetop breakthrough artist and regularly uploading countless viral vid- aiming at streaming platforms, radio waves, the “commercially successful” producers through internationally can beascribedto Perhaps thegreatest potential for breaking collaborations withvarious popvocalists. the unmistakable appeal ofhismusicin heap of local rappers, also demonstrates Hyu, who, in addition to producing for a erans Onyx, mysterious andthesomewhat to the album cently contributed alarge portion ofbeats Senidah. Sheconsistently tallies by New Black RockYork by New vet - so. global scene orare wellontheirway to do who have either already stepped onto the the company ofnicheandpopproducers, tongue aerobics while keeping on an eye the emergence wave ofEnglish ofanew trends. TheSlovenianrap scene awaits of current rap, trap, andRnB-related pop ternational collaborations inthecontext company withthepotential to lineupin- another is Jovič, Damjan producer around The team ofDravle Records, gathered Photo: Matic Kremžar. pop scene. local ex Yugoslav become astar of the five years, shehas pop. Inthelast from R&Bto trap artist to cross over the onlySlovenian as sheispractically music scene insofar and broader Balkan on theSlovenian Senidah isunique 55 Hip Hop 56 Electronic Dance Music the city’s size, quite extensive. Itisundeni- mained enviablyconsistent and,relative to supply inthearena ofclubculture hasre From thenon,particularly the inLjubljana, of rise monumental drum ’n’ disproportionately bass, whichwas primarilytheresult team. oftheefforts oftheRadyoyo size, country’s the to relative and, striking a about brought and solidified, out, branchedscene club the millennium, the of end the were strongly influenced by the electro scene and Detroit techno. On the other hand, by duo notably most producers, certain of exploits publishing able DJ Slovenian famous most currently the of breakthrough national inter the in reflected is this hand, one On 1990s. the of half second the fasterin much earlyas atin 1991, as longest-running the Ljubljana, in club firstvery one was navigated by AldoIvančić, thehead ofthecultEBMgroup Borghesia possibly The early. started relatively Slovenia in nights club electronic regular first The Borja Močnik In theSmallLandof WidePanoramas of Electronic Music Keys Inquisitive Musicof Pressing Between theClubs andthe released in2020. Photo: ©Gramatik. he isamajorelectronic musictouring artist. Hislatest albumRe: CoilDeluxe was Beatport charts more thanadecade ago, hedecidedto York. moveto New Today mashing uphiphopbeats, EDM, andelectronica. After unexpectedly topping the Producer andDJ Gramatik from thecoastal region ofSloveniaspecializes in The Unexpected Beathead WhoConquered theUnited States - rious andtechnically skilledDJs, whoare of asurprisinglynumerous company ofcu- space asthebreeding space that itserves ably aparticular characteristic ofSlovenian . Things beganThings K4. unfolding , who Random Logic, Umek and remark and - -

irrelevant ofgenre, ranging from purely ex of soundsbylocal andforeign performers number ofyears, supplyingawidearray and therx:tx under the Creative Commons licence, tronic music by local performers and works on publishingfringe aswellradical elec labels suchasKamizdat, whichfocuses releasing electronic musicinclude niche aging. Exceptional Slovenianinstitutions labels at homeandabroad isalsoencour producers that consistently publish with international appearances. Thenumberof regionally wellconnected butlackregular musicians underthesamename.Photo: Jože Suhadolnik. driving-force duoof AldoIvančič andDarioSeraval, whoassembledacollective of new, younger a cutting-edge visualandvideocomponent. Inrecent years, theinitiative was resurrected by its only were theycrucialpioneers of EBMandpost-wave musiconaglobal scale, theyalsoincluded Borghesia was aprogressive collective for socialtaboo confrontation formed inthe1980s.Not label, whichhasbeen,for a - - - last decade istheUSA-based Gramatik, ally established Slovenianproducer ofthe is entirely corporate. Themost internation- pany remains dominated byUmekandhis com- mainstream The figures. key visible more ofits from ashortoverview even is evident The incredible diversityof the local scene involved inorganising clubevents. tions offringe houseclubmusicandisalso label, whichspecialisesinvinylpublica- friendly tunes.Alsonoteworthy, isthePhi perimental noiseandbeeps,to more radio- Viberate, whosemodeofoperation 57 Electronic Dance Music 58 Electronic Dance Music and DJs face, away from themainstream, producers and remnants ofEDM.Underneath thesur who produces asortofhybridhiphop breakbeat, ambientmusic,downtempo, duce musical hybridrecordings ofhouse, native anddistinct way. playandpro They trend of genrerary eclecticism in an imagi- DJs andproducers joinedthecontempo publishes regularly. Someoftheyounger mental techno duoWarrego Valles also and techno house, andthelatter innudisco. Experi- experimental of field the in and performances abroad. Theformer, cured anenviablenumberofpublications to-day programme at Ljubljana’s notable Pritličjevenue. Photo: Luna Woelle. curators of nicheelectronic musicevents suchastheGrounded inLjubljana Festival ortheday- forward andexperimental thinkingclub- electronic music.They’re alsoactive aspromoters and Warrego Valles members, DJs &queeractivists NinaHudejandNinaBelle,explore thefringes of Christian Kroupa and Ichisan se - - - - Red LightRadioinLjubljana. ances byBoilerRoom andtheAmsterdam ous examples of these were recent appear obvi- most the institutions; foreign trendy scene hasalsoreceived validation from Stiropor boutique festivals are emerging, suchas which meanders invarious directions. New music, home-grown new of influx regular venian electronic musicscene. There isa We needn’t fear for thefuture oftheSlo masters VidVai andSimmstand out. jungle… Amongthese,Ljubljana-based world’s top DJs. Photo: ©Umek. He isregularly ranked amongthe producer of electronic dance music. the most popularSlovenian DJ and for around thirtyyears andiseasily Umekhasbeeninthebusiness DJ and Butik. Inrecent years, the - - Collecting Societies www.kopriva.si Society). lowing organisations: AIPA, IPF, SAZAS, andZAMP (SlovenianAuthors’ fol- the to over compensation the turns Kopriva producers; film and compensation isdueauthors,performers, phonograms producers, made for private and other personaluse (personalreproduction). The menting therightto fair compensation for audioorvideorecordings The KOPRIVA society is a collective organisation in charge of imple KOPRIVA, k.o. www.sazas.org since 2003.(source: https://www.sazas.org/English-forms) – International organisation representing mechanical rights societies federation ofSocieties ofComposersandAuthors since 1996andBIEM copying SAZAS levies. is a full member of CISAC – International Con- rights, mechanical author’s rights and for the distribution of private lective management ofauthors’ rights inmusic,covering: performing col- for 800-3/96 no. authorisation SIPO’s – (SIPO) Slovenia of Office when thestate authorisation was issuedbytheIntellectual Property collective management organisation operates since March 12th,1998 a As Slovenia. in rights authors' musical of promotion and protection SAZAS Society k.o. isacollective management organisation for the SAZAS Society k.o. www.aipa.si ARTIS. organisations CISAC, SAA, SCAPR,Agicoa Alliance, FERA,andAEPO- secures rights around theglobe. AIPA isafullmemberofinternational performers, andproducers works,AIPA ofaudio-visual enforces and mandates, andother typesofauthorization onthepart ofcoauthors, Related Rights Act since October 2010.Basedonbilateral agreements, works.AIPAaudio-visual hasbeenoperating undertheCopyrightand and securingoftherights ofauthors,performers, andproducers of The AIPA, k.o. organization primarilydeals withcollective enforcement AIPA, k.o. www.ipf.si of foreign performers andphonogram producers inSlovenia. nia andabroad, aswellas,based oninternational contracts, therights the rights ofSlovenianperformers andphonogram producers inSlove grams producers (record labels).Itcollectively manages andprotects sation managingtheneighbouringrights ofperformers andphono of Phonograms of Slovenia, k.o. (IPF, k.o.) is the only Slovenian organi- The Collective Management Organisation ofPerformers andProducers IPF, k.o. www.kopriva.si DŠ: 88408272 1000 Ljubljana Kolodvorska ulica7 Društvo KOPRIVA, k.o. [email protected] +386 +386 51317791 Dušan Kastelic 1 5272938 - - - 59 Collecting Societies 60 Formal Music Education in Slovenia https://muzikologija.ff.uni-lj.si/en Musicological Annual. guest lecturers from abroad. Itpublishesthemusicological periodical Muzikološki zbornik/ national andinternational research projects, holds scientificsymposiums,andhosts ethnomusicology courses Thedepartment at alllevels. isinvolvedinanumberof is theonlySlovenianhigher-level educational institution offering and musicology The Department of Musicology at theUniversity of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Arts www.ag.uni-lj.si Slovenian andinternational concert stages. students havewonimportant international prizes andsuccessfully perform on both concerts. Theacademy alsoparticipates inanumberofinternational projects. Academy concertsseries ofpublicevents: oflarger ensembles,chambermusicconcerts, andsoloist vocal ensemblesaswellchamberensembles.Eachyear, theAcademy holdsthree postgraduate TheAcademy alsocomprises level. anumberoflarge instrumental and music) andmusiceducation. Coursesare available at theundergraduate, graduate, and arts (composition orchestral andmusictheory, andother instruments, voice, andsacred The Academy of Musicat theUniversity offers of Ljubljana courses inthemusical at theUniversity ofMaribor. University andathird ofLjubljana, at theMusicDepartment oftheFaculty ofEducation Academy ofMusic,another at theMusicology Department oftheFaculty ofArts at the canin musicthey choosefrom amongthree university courses: oneat theLjubljana Many Slovenes study musicintheirteens later andifthey decideto pursue acareer or at amusichighschool),anduniversity level. (parallelschools), secondary instruction at musicschool orconservatory asecondary Music education inSlovenia isconducted music (primary onthree theprimary levels: in Slovenia Formal MusicEducation Want to knowmore aboutmusic festivals inSlovenia?Turn thepage! Photo: Iztok Zupan. music. Thefestival emphasisesexperimental, improvised, electronic, andfringe line-ups. original musicpractices irrelevant of musical genre orof thedividebetween seriousandpopular The musicworkshop for children at theSajeta Art&MusicFestival. Sajeta focuses oncreative https://pef.um.si technique. methods, students alsostudy composition, instrumental performance, andvocal trains future musicteachers ofinstruction. for alllevels Inadditionto specialisedteaching The Department of Musicat theFaculty of Education atUniversity the of Maribor

61 Formal Music Education in Slovenia 62 About Music Slovenia www.musicslovenia.si For furthercurrent information aboutSlovenianmusicandmusical infrastructure visit • • • • • • • Do you want to learn more aboutSlovenian: sented bySIGIC–TheSlovenianMusicInformation Centre. repre officially is Slovenia Music worldwide. music Slovenian of popularity and visibility age themto participate innational andinternational collaborations inorder to increase the encour to and scenes musical different Slovenian connectionsvariousactorson between Slovenian musicnationally andinternationally. TheaimofMusicSloveniaisto establish Music Sloveniaisaconsortium ofnumerous Slovenianmusical institutions, whichpromote Music Slovenia About MusicSlovenia musicians andtheirmusic? music promotors andagencies, music institutions, music studios, music labels, concert venuesandconcert organizers, music festivals, - - Momus About SIGIC www.momus.si the fieldofmusical art. materials alongwithdetailed descriptions ofthe monuments andassociated persons from heritage. Theonline publication’s interactive designincludesdigital anddigitisedvisual to encourage asmanypeoplepossibleto discover andexperience European cultural ments andsoparticipated theEuropean Year inobserving ofCultural Heritage, whichaims in twoyears. In2018,SIGICpublishedaSlovenianinteractive musical guideto saidmonu - individuals. Withtheirhelpmore than200monuments were compiled anddocumented musica Slovenica in collaboration withtheFaculty ofPhilosophyand119institutions and SIGIC –TheSlovenianMusicInformation project Centre developed MOMUS –Monumenta MOMUS www.sigic.si/en [email protected] P: +38612412082 Slovenia SI -1000Ljubljana, Trg francoske 6 revolucije SIGIC –SlovenianMusicInformation Centre Contact genres. compilation CDsfeaturing bycurrent achievements Slovenianartists ofindividualmusical releases also It genres. all of activities musical current of analysis and on reflection critical offers Informationwhich Centres. SIGICpublishesawebmusicmagazine called Odzven, and around the world, and is a full member of IAMIC, the International of Music Association internationally. To thisend,SIGICconnects withnumerous musical institutions inSlovenia organisation systematically promotes Slovenianmusicandmusicians,both nationally and nian music,musicians,musicprofessionals, andcurrent andactivities. musicevents The SIGIC – The Slovenian Music Information Centre is the central information point for Slove SIGIC Momus Monumenta musicaSlovenica Monumenta musicaSlovenica - 63 About SIGIC Answer Correctly and Win a Prize

What was the original name of Marij Kogoj, author of the famed Slovenian opera Črne maske/Black Masks?

Which festival is considered the oldest (running) jazz festival in Europe?

Which Slovenian singer-songwriter earned the nickname Bob Dylan of the Balkans?

Send your answers to [email protected] (Hint: all the necessary information can be found on the pages of the booklet you are holding in your hands.)

Correct answers will win practical prizes, i.e. Music Slovenia/SIGIC genre compilations of your choice.

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