What do you get when you throw together the prowess of six highly-creative musical minds?
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In the case of Chaika, the result is a powerhouse of musical innovation.
Chaika are a Sydney-based sextet drawn together by a desire to create a captivating sound and will be bringing their unique music to the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival in October.
The ensemble performs original compositions and re-imaginings of traditional songs.
Sensuous, cinematic and at times irresistibly danceable, they are influenced by a range of musical genres from contemporary jazz to Balkans folk tunes.
Chaika comprises clarinet, violin, piano, double-bass, guitar, accordion, percussion, and four female and two male voices.
They have been described as “deeply touching and meditative” as well as “exuberant, virtuosic and uplifting.”
Member Laura Bishop sings and plays percussion, accordion and piano in the ensemble and is looking forward to coming to the Valley for the annual folk festival.
Each folk festival has its own vibe and Kangaroo Valley is such a wonderful setting with great people
- Laura Bishop
“They seem to like us down there. Each folk festival has its own vibe and Kangaroo Valley is such a wonderful setting with great people,” Laura said.
The band has gone through a number of transformations over the years and has morphed from a four-girl ensemble performing Klezmer music to what it is today.
Over the years they have also started performing more original songs and arrangements.
“We spent a week as artists-in-residence at Bundanon in 2015 and from that we composed a number of songs. It was an intense week of writing, playing and rehearsing but it paid off.
“We toured the music in 2016 and received a great reception,” she said.
Chaika’s two independent album releases, I Monti and Chaika have garnered much critical acclaim. There are plans for a third album soon.
Chaika is just one of 50 acts performing at this year’s folk festival.
From the UK come folk legends Jez Lowe and Martyn Wyndham-Read.
New exciting acts from around Australia include The Willy Wagtails, Michael Waugh, Karen Lynne Bluegrass Band,The Acfields and more.
There will be six venues with a wide range of fantastic acts, plus dances, workshops and a kids’ festival.
The Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival will run from Friday, October 14 until Sunday, October 16. Tickets are on sale at www.kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au.