Kud Meya

Kud Meya – this is a story of friendships dating back to the 80s. It is a story of friendships dating back to the time of communism and of Yugoslavia, story of friendships that have outlived many trials of the times and all the hardships of those war and post-war years, the growing up and maturing, schooling and dispersing throughout Europe, but of friendships that have always, and at every moment in time, been focused on music.
Various circumstances of life, primarily the need for additional training in music which some of the members gained through universities of Switzerland, and some through active participation in the music life of Germany tore them away from numerous concerts, television appearances, booked up halls for several years. When they gathered again and started recording in 2006, however, the final decision was made to revive the ensemble.
Kud Meya, a name that simultaneously unites culture, art, and company (KUD—Croatian acronym for Culture and Art Company), the values that this ensemble presents by performing “music without borders” (meja=border), music not burdened by geographical boundaries and historical circumstances of southern and eastern Europe, the territory spreading from the Black Sea to the Adriatic, the territory of the Balkans.

By their characteristic performance, substantiated by unique arrangements and virtuosity of every individual member, the ensemble has adapted traditional music to our times, adding to it their characteristic interpretation with elements of jazz, blues, classical music, and with specially accentuated emotional values. The music of Kud Meya contains profound melancholy as well as exaggerated temperament of the cultures inhabiting this region, and is always founded on ethnic elements. If we add to this the well contemplated intensity of their repertoire, the difference is achieved which makes them unique when compared to typical ensembles of the region.
The overall result of all of the above is the merger between the audience and performers on a timeless and limitless musical journey.

Apart from mostly global acoustic instruments – guitars, double-bass, accordion – the ensemble distinguishes itself by also using traditional Croatian instruments from the tamburitza group – prim, brač, čelo, bugarija, as well as traditional instruments of those regions whose music they are performing (e.g. tapan).
Using a wide range of instruments, as professional musicians and instrumentalists, and two strong and authentic voices using their talent to the full extent, the ensemble members have developed their own style in which they perform songs ranging from sevdah, romances, gypsy songs, and folk and traditional songs with strong folklore elements.

To make the journey through Kud Meya’s world of music complete, regardless of the great freedom of interpretation, Kud Meya members show strong respect to various ideas that have been surrounding this region for years, and their vocal and instrumental skills are emotionally attainable even to those listeners who do not understand the life and lyrics of their songs.

Let us embark on the journey together!