Editor's info:

“Ajde na balkana“ is a debut of a band from Pilsen called Prosti Dumi, the winners of the third year of “Česká spořitelna Colours Talents” competition. Their music tends towards a more progressive conception of world music by which the band tries to fuse Balkan folk music with folkrock elements and techniques. Their repertoire is inspired by Balkan folklore, ethnic music and psychedelic rock of the 70s.

Ladislav Assenov, Bulgarian author, guitar player and singer, who is the architect of the whole idea and the author of most of the repertoire, gives a stamp of authenticity to this Balkan band which makes its debut quite soon after its birth in 2005. “It is a way of conveying pain, sadness, joy, memories and yearning for Bulgarian, or rather Balkan culture and the country where I lived as a small boy. My Bulgarian grandmother brought us to local folklore and folk songs by her natural way of life. I remember her singing national songs when she was cooking or doing household chores.”

Assage, the leader of the band and musician in body and soul was born in Sofia and has lived in the Czech Republic since his 12 years. In Sofia he sang in a choir for three years and now he spends most of his leisure time composing. He also makes videos to the songs which are placed on the MySpace server. Highly visible in the band is their excellent signer Gabriela Bultasová who was singing in a J. K. Tyl Theater opera choir for 8 years. The mesmerizing rhythm of drums together with the bass and the tapan drum add to the Balkan atmosphere of every song, all this supported by the “traditional” acoustic instruments such as tambura, acoustic guitar, flute, pipes and accordion and others. “Some of the instruments are characteristic of Balkan folklore music, arrangements are adapted depending on the type of instrument. Some songs need a specific sound to retain the atmosphere and mood.”