shunTA! Brings the Kafana Spirit to Life with Debut Album

shunTA! – At The Kafana (Rakia Records, 2024)

London-based band shunTA! is set to release their debut album, At the Kafana, an electrifying tribute to Balkan music and culture. The nine-piece ensemble, known for their lively performances and festival appearances, delivers a rich set of Romani and Eastern European folk traditions infused with engaging Balkan pop and energy. Kafana is a traditional Serbian and Balkan tavern or restaurant.

shunTA! is composed of musicians drawn to the genre not by heritage, but by passion. Their unique lineup features a powerful horn section (trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, sousaphone), a delicate string section (mandolin, tambura, violin), and rhythmically intense piano, drums, and darbuka, along with passionate vocals in Romani, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Bosnian. The album captures the essence of the band’s live performances, mixing traditional gypsy songs with heartfelt storytelling and emotive melodies.

Having sold out iconic venues like London’s Jamboree and shared stages with legends such as Fanfare Ciocarlia, Kultur Shock, and DJ Shantel, shunTA! has built a reputation for transporting audiences into the heart of the kafana experience. Their festival highlights include performances at Boomtown, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, and Brighton Fringe.

At the Kafana invites listeners to an emotive journey through love, heartache, and star-crossed tales, wrapped in the irresistible rhythms of the Balkans.

Musicians: Sarah Montague (UK), production, arrangements, lead vocals, violin; Oliver Presman (UK) on trumpet; Helen Chittock (UK) on clarinet, backing vocals; Alex Brown (UK) on tenor saxophone; Kate Dornan (UK) on keyboards, backing vocals; Stephen Simblet (UK) on mandolin, tamburica; Sam Dorrell (UK) on trombone, sousaphone; Karen Yarnell (UK) on darbuka, percussion; Josef Pogadl (Germany) on drum kit; Daniel Allen (Australia) on tuba; Tal Bright (Israel) on riq.

“At The Kafana” was composed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Johnathan Clayton at ONE CAT STUDIO London, UK.
Produced by shunTA!
Album artwork by Karen Yarnell.

Track Listing

1. Siki Siki Baba (Strict strict father) – Ibrahim (4:47)
2. Kelushka (3:48)
3. Kibori (Daughter-in-law) (4:36)
4. Mugur Mugurel (Bud, little bud) (6:01)
5. Ya Rayah (You, the one leaving) (4:20)
6. Usti Baba (Wake up father) (3:34)
7. Cherno More (Black Sea) (4:25)
8. Cudna Jada od Mostara Grada (Poor strange girl in Mostar old town) (4:58)

Buy At the Kafana.