irom + Athina B

About

Slovenian trio irom make 'imaginary folk' songs that have captivated audiences since their debut 2017 album 'I Can Be a Clay Snapper'. The band's instrument inventory gives you an idea of the kind of rare musical treats you can expect from this night...

Ana Kravanja violin, viola, ribab, cnbs, balafon, ngoma drum, mizmar, voice
Iztok Koren balafon, banjo, three string banjo, bass drum, percussion, chimes
Samo Kutin bra, gongoma, mizmar, lyre, one string bass, frame drums, voice

The expansive compositions they conjure up with these often hand-made instruments echo the borderless, collective spirit of groups like Don Cherry's Organic Music Society and Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Their 2022 album 'The Liquified Throne of Simplicity' made the number 1 slot in The Quietus' Album of the Year list, and they come to the Rose Hill this November with a new album of songs to play out, one track of which was premiered at the recent Ment festival in Slovenia to great acclaim:

"I got to finally catch irom in their glory of home ground - outstanding." - Gilles Peterson, BBC6

"Beautiful, messy, playful, terrifying, sweet stuff you never knew where they were going to go." - Jude Rogers, Guardian

Athina B is a recently formed duo of R Dyer and Maria Marzaioli, two great musical creators in their own right coming together in this project to explore a more improvised approach.