Dunjaluk – Dunjaluk (Cantus, 2023)
This self-titled album puts the spotlight on Dunjaluk, a relatively new act from Croatia that has gracefully reconstructed sevdah music. Dunjaluk is based in Zagreb, formed in late 2019. It includes vocalist Dunja Bahtijarević and electric guitarist Luka Čapeta.
This exceptional ensemble skillfully reimagines melodies from the Bosnian sevdah tradition, transforming them into captivating and meticulously crafted contemporary musical expressions. Through a transformative process, they artfully strip down these compositions, deftly replacing traditional musical instruments and other elements, thereby breathing new life into this rich musical tradition.
Dunjaluk invites listeners on a journey that transcends time, delving into the essence of sevdah by tracing its roots to the convergence of two distinct sensibilities: the Ottoman and the South Slavic. Their music serves as a testament to the profound connection between these historical influences.
The heart of sevdah lies in its ability to narrate tales of love and yearning, echoing sentiments of staying home or being away. The melodies become a vessel through which the individual’s relationship with community and societal constraints is explored. This dynamic interplay of themes adds depth and resonance to Dunjaluk’s renditions, offering audiences a profound and enriching experience that seamlessly bridges the past and the present.
Dunja Bahtijarević and Luka Čapeta are captivated by the lyrics and the melodies of sevdah songs, and consequently deliver the band’s response. As many other musical genres, sevdah has been transformed many times throughout the centuries. Similarly, Dunjaluk incorporate further changes, adding noise, rock, jazz, and classical music techniques. The expressive songs on the album were developed through experiment, organically, by building ideas through live performance.
Dunja Bahtijarević is a Bosnian-born singer living in Croatia. She’s particularly interested in traditional songs and all the different musical contexts that can provide them with a new life. Dunja is constantly looking for her cultural roots, linking past to present to future. Likewise, she finds herself doing the same in the music that she makes.
Luka Čapeta is a musician from Zagreb, Croatia. He has produced and composed music for contemporary dance, theater, and film and played in many bands and projects. Rooted in electronic, ambient, jazz, and classical music, Luka constantly evolves his vocabulary by experimenting with traditional and modern world music, noise, and avant-garde aesthetics, creating a unique approach to performance and sound.
Buy Dunjaluk.
Author: JGurski
