Blato Zlato (swamp gold, in Bulgarian) is inspired by both the ancient traditions of the Balkans and the cultural stew of the New Orleans music scene. The band re-interprets classic Bulgarian songs, backing classic Bulgarian harmonies with powerhouse acoustic instrumentals featuring fiddle, upright bass, accordion, and tapan (a large, double-headed drum common to Bulgarian folk music). It creates new, folk-based music, too, weaving in strands of New Orleans jazz, funk, classical, trance, and rock music.
Photo credit: Sarrah Danziger