Polish folk and pagan music - part one
thank you to a couple of anons for reminding me that I need to spread my passion for these bands here! if you’re looking for traditional folk bands, pagan music, modern songs with old sounds woven into them, if you want to hear some amazing dialects of our language - or if, like me, you look for things to get you in this Slavic Mood™ - check them out!
Percival - nearly everyone knows them thanks to the masterpiece that is The Witcher soundtrack. they have amazing instrumental pieces, soul-piercing vocals and traditional songs in many other slavic languages besides polish. if instead of ancient instruments you want to hear some heavy guitar, check out their folk-metal alter ego, Percival Schuttenbach. my personal favourites: Gusta Mi Magla, Jarilo and Oczy Wiedźmina
Żywiołak - amazing folk slavic music, full of chaos and mythology, stories about creatures from Old Times. songs ranging from eerie ballads to nearly psychedelic pieces - there can be no Kupala’s Night without them. my personal favourites: Noc Kupały, Latawce, Świdryga i Midryga.
Jar - hurdy-gurdy, gusle, ozark harp, and vocals like thunder rumbling in the mountains - what more can you desire? traditional instruments, traditional language and themes straight from Old Times. my personal favourites: Do Tatarskiej Ziemi, Oj Ruzice, Zasiałam Ja Ruty.
Laboratorium Pieśni - pure magic. sounds that will bury themselves in your heart and never leave, voices so beautiful they will haunt your dreams. ethnic instruments, stunning polyphonic singing and songs from all over Europe. my personal favourites: Што й па мору, Ой ляцелі жураўлі, Oj Ty Rzeko. I wholeheartedly believe none of these girls are actually human.
Rokiczanka - possibly the most traditional folk band here: expect folk melodies, old folk songs, and amazing traditional costumes. passionate people spreading the magic of Polish folk into the modern world. amazing if you’re looking for an authentic sound and original dialects. my personal favourites: W Moim Ogródecku, Lipka, To i Hola.
Lachersi - modern sounds praising the traditional songs and themes from southern Lesser Poland - Ziemia Sądecka. group of extremely passionate guys with amazing dynamics. my personal favourites: Nie Chodź Jasiu Po Polanie, Ubaw.
Kapela Ze Wsi Warszawa - absolute geniuses when it comes to mixing modern with traditional, introducing Polish folk to the entire world. traditional instruments such as hurdy-gurdy, frame drums and suka, and powerful vocals. my personal favourites: Żurawie, Musiałaś Ty Dziewce (sapphic slavic alert!), Zagrajcie Muzykanty.
Księżyc - iconic older folk band creating very eerie sounds inspired by slavic songs not only from Poland, but also Belarus and Ukraine. mysterious pieces about death, change, femininity and a history of performance art that changed polish music. my personal favourites: Mijana, Kołysanka, Zakopana.
