Aulaga Folk – El rodar del bolindre (RockCD Records, 2022)
Spanish band Aulaga Folk combines folk traditions with the vital energy of rock music on their album El rodar del bolindre. Influences include Andalusian music, Irish Celtic music aromas, and Extremaduran roots music from western Spain. The result is a fusion of senses and musical notes that will transport you on a journey from the Spanish-Portuguese border to the grazing lands. Despite using the term folk, the band has a pretty accentuated rock edge.
Founded in 1999 in the town of Casas del Monte, at the heart of the Ambroz Valley, Aulaga Folk hails from a lush and mountainous area in the north of Extremadura, at the foothills of the Bejar and Gredos mountain ranges.
Their passion for music led them to explore the sounds of their land and its people, resulting in a repertoire that draws from popular songbooks and oral tradition. Aulaga Folk reimagines these traditions with traditional instruments and fusion of other musical elements, all while staying true to their roots and the essence of the past.
“Respecting and rescuing the legacy left by our elders is one of the treasures that enriches our understanding of life, customs, traditions, and ultimately, who we are today.”
They create their own songs and also compose music for local poems and lyrics they gather from the people in their town. Like a conversation between songs, Aulaga Folk not only draws from their popular roots, but also aims to enrich and bring something new to the musical culture of Extremadura, shining a new light on the region’s folklore and its richness.
Their goal is to ensure that popular culture is not forgotten, and to present it in a way that resonates with a younger audience, the future of tradition.
Their hard work has paid off, and Aulaga Folk has taken their music throughout the Iberian Peninsula, from small and intimate venues to large festivals.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.