Auļi – Ķekatās (Lauska, 2022)
The joyful and high energy album “Ķekatās” is dedicated to the Latvian masquerade traditions in winter. Starting from the Winter Solstice and ending with Meteņi.
Throughout “Ķekatās,” you will hear new compositions and captivating arrangements of folk melodies by Kaspars Bārbals, Mārtiņš Miļevskis and Edgars Kārklis. In addition, Auli has joined forces with Latvian folk singers Asnate Rancāne, Katrīna Dimanta, Beāte Zviedre, Andrejs Planders, Eduards Plankājs, and Edgars Zilberts. Moreover, the Otaņki ethnographic ensemble participates in the song “Ķekatu tēvam tērauda bikses”.
The lively and engaging Latvian bagpipe and drum music group “Auļi” was founded in 2003. The group consists of five bagpipers, four drummers and one bass player, who create a distinct style by mixing ancient and modern elements.
The musicians themselves have named their music style etnotranss (ethnic trance). While getting inspired by the nature and melodies of ancient Latvian folk music, they create new compositions filled with the fiery energy of rock and dynamics of world music. In the latest albums, various singers and instrumentalists have joined Auļi.
Lineup: Mārtiņš Miļevskis on drums, vocals, guitar, jaw harp; Edgars Kučiks on drums; Kaspars Indrēvics on large drum; Edgars Krūmiņš on drums; Gatis Valters on bass, vocals; Normunds Vaivads on bagpipes; Leanne Barbo on bagpipes, vocals, Jaw harp; Kaspars Bārbals on bagpipes, vocals, flute, jaw harp; Edgars Kārklis on bagpipes, vocals, Flute; Gatis Indrēvics on bagpipes; Miķelis Dobičins on gīga, cello; Ilze Grunte on harp, panduri; Asnate Rancāne on vocals; Kartīna Dimanta on vocals, ukulele; Beāte Zviedre on vocals; Andrejs Planders on vocals; Eduards Plankājs on vocals; Edgars Zilberts on vocals; and Otaņķi Ethnographic Ensemble on vocals.
Buy Ķekatās
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.
una maravilla.