Formed in 2003, Brina have since than earned international acclaim. At first rewriting and rearranging traditional Slovenian folk songs into a more modern sound, the band has gradually evolved into a confident band that is also creating their own specific expression. Playing in a variety of modes, from melancholic Slavic ballads to racious cabaret and tango songs, they are all very much characterised by Brina Vogelnik's soft and intimate voice.
They originate from the two earlier bands their singer was involved in - Šišenske bajke and Brina&String.si. In the 1990s, Šišenske bajke were one of the first bands that started showing an interest in modernising traditional Slovene folk motives, an approach that has since then been taken over by a number of quality and successful musicians. With String.si she stirred a lot of public interest and was also awarded the Zlata ptica (Golden bird), an award given to promising young artists in Slovenia.
Brina's first album Mlado leto (Young year) was welcomed very warmly both in Slovenia and in foreign specialised press, but a more notable impact on the global folk scene came in 2005, when Brina released their second album Pasja legenda (Dog's legend). The album was listed on the Top 10 list of World Music Charts Europe for three months and received international acclaim among critics as well as listeners and concert goers around the world. A third album Slečena koža (Undressed skin) has recently come out. All the albums were released on Drugod label.
Personel
Besides Brina Vogelnik (vocals), the band consists of experienced musicians, all very active in the wider slovenian music scene; Jelena Ždrale (violin), Blaž Celarc (percusion), Drago Ivanuša (accordion), Nino de Gleria (electrical bass, double bass), Luka Ropret (guitar), Aleš Rendla (drums) and Julij Zornik (sound production).
Performances
The band presented their first album at the Druga Godba Festival and till the release of their second album mostly played on Slovenian stages . The second album was accompanied by another Druga Godba stage performance and was in the same year followed by appearances on Jazz Cerkno Festival (Slovenia), Ethnoambient festival (Croatia), the prominent WOMEX (World Music Expo) festival (Spain) and many other stages. In the years since then they played on a Vlak raznolikosti (Train of diversity) project in Spain, toured in North America and played on various other stages throughout the world.
An excerpt from a Brina gig at the Chicago Cultural Center, 19.9.2007.
See also
External links
