During their last solo show in Paris, internationally acclaimed Slovenian musicians Ana Kravanja and Samo Kutin, known for their unique imaginary folk music, were introduced to the French independent filmmaker, photographer and sound artist Vincent Moon, who is known as the main director of the music project A Take Away Show. Produced by La Blogothèque, the long-running web series includes live on-site performances by indie rock musicians, notable mainstream names, such as R.E.M. and Arcade Fire, and up-and-coming talents.

The French director offered a collaboration to Kravanja and Kutin, and last summer he joined them in Tolmin at Sajeta Festival along with Rabih Beaini (formerly known as Morphosis). The collaboration resulted in three stunningly beautiful performances by Kačis, Bakalina Velika and Širom, which were shot at various spots in the inspiring natural environment of Soča Valley.

‘Iztolči pustinja’, translated as ‘Burst into bloom barren land’, is a song found on Kačis’s debut album Unfathomed (2021). The experimental folk trio composed of multi-instrumentalists Ana Kravanja, Samo Kutin and Tea Vidmar makes music that is focused on authentic sonic explorations, including repetitive rhythmic singing, unorthodox, archaic and mystical sounds, and hypnotic free improvisation. The video was shot at the bottom of the Beri waterfall. Interestingly, the band’s name is associated with snakes (kača means snake), and there is a local legend regarding the waterfall, which says that snakes would teach people how to speak at this exact spot.

‘Zlat bagatin’, an upcoming song by Bakalina Velika (an ethno/folk project run by Samo Kutin’s brother Jani), features a tale from their home village Čadrg and is sung in the local dialect. It tells about a golden treasure hidden on mountain Bogatin that would prompt locals to use spells and even conjure the devil in order to find it. The performance was recorded at a place known as Žlejžn next to Čadrg from where you can actually see the mountain.

‘Poper obelodanim izgine / I Unveil a Peppercorn to See It Vanish’ is a composition from Širom’s upcoming fourth album, out on Tak:til (an imprint of Glitterbeat Records) in the coming spring. The album, inspired by wilderness, nature and the influence of its natural cycles on music-making and improvisation, was recorded during the last winter-spring lockdown. The creative process behind it was a kind of mental self-healing, looking for comfort and finding meaning in this difficult period. The video was filmed by the Soča River near the site of Sajeta Art and Music Festival during its 22th edition.

This fruitful collaboration between Vincent Moon and Slovenian musicians will most probably continue in 2022. Find more about La Blogothèque here.

Jaša Bužinel