HOBOUD

"HOBOUD'S DEBUT DOUBLE SHOW AT THE THEATER FESTIVAL"

Nobody has seen them live yet and they have already got their first success. So many people want to see Hoboud's first ever concert at the Olsztyn Theater Festival that a double show had to be organized. No other artists additional plays will be held, unfortunately.

There are still two weeks until the Festival – it begins on 21st March – and some shows are already sold out. The biggest surprise is the fact that there are no more tickets left for the debut performance of the new band Hoboud who play music inspired by the local Warmian folklore but in modern and jazz arrangements.

The project draws on the region’s disappearing culture and language. Its leaders and originators, Maria and Marcin Ruminski, are connected with a long-established Shannon, a Polish band playing Celtic music. On the basis of traditional Warmian songs, ten tracks in new arrangements have been composed with the new band Hoboud. (...) An important part of the project is Edward Cyfus who is a famous native propagator of the Warmian culture. He teaches the musicians how to properly use and pronounce the forgotten local dialect, and also tells Warmian stories and legends in the vernacular in between the songs.

Hoboud has received the patronage of the national Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper’s local insert issues. The project has also gained official support of the artistic association Wolna Grupa Tworcza (Free Artists Group). – We come across a huge interest from people not only in the region of Warmia but in the whole Poland – says Marcin Ruminski. – People who used to live here long decades ago contact us and say they remember the songs we play, e.g. because their mom would sing them as lullabies when they were children. Warmian autochthons living now in Germany praise us especially for our interest in the old disappearing dialect that we are bringing back by learning it and use in all our lyrics for the wide public.

The Olsztyn Theater of Stefan Jaracz reacted immediately to the surprisingly big interest in Hoboud’s concert. – I am pleased to announce that there will be 2 concerts by Hoboud on the inaugural night of the festival – says Andrzej Fabisiak, the director of the Olsztyn Theater Festival. – On Saturday 21, March, straight after Hoboud’s first concert, the band will give their second performance at 10 p.m. (...) - Article in the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper by Magda Brzezinska - 6th March 2009

"HOBOUD's PREMIERE SHOW – THE WARMIAN DIALECT IS REVIVED"

by Magda Brzezinska

Last Saturday night the new band Hoboud gave their first ever performance. The show of newly arranged Warmian traditional songs was part of the Olsztyn Theater Festival

Since January this year, when the band uploaded a couple of songs on their Myspace site, their profile has been visited over twelve thousand and the songs played almost nine thousand times. No wonder their announced world premiere show at the Olsztyn Theater Festival was sold out in no time. The organizers of the festival decided to arrange another performance. At the inaugural night of the event Hoboud gave two stagings.

Before the premiere concert in the Olsztyn theatre music hall an air of tension could be felt. On the one hand, the audience expected a lot from Hoboud, on the other, the performers, although thoroughly professional, were to present for the first time onstage the material everyone hoped would come up to the high expectations.

The originators of the project are Maria and Marcin Ruminski who also play and sing in Shannon, a Polish band playing celtic music. Through Hoboud they have decided to refer to the folklore of Warmia and present the region's traditional songs in new modern arrangements. (...) An important part of the project is Edward Cyfus, the Warmian vernacular storyteller, since Hoboud is meant to be more than just a folk band. Its aim is to revive the disappearing culture of Warmia in all aspects, restoring the music, the local dialect and bringing back the old legends and tales. The project is officially supported by Wolna Grupa Tworcza (The Free Artists Association). The media patronage has also been granted by the national newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza’s local issues.

Edward Cyfus introduced each song with a tale in the Warmian dialect. The storyteller told about the mischievous animalspirit Hoboud which haunted the Warmian lands and where it could hide in our times. He also commentated with humour on current world events, what brought the local dialect back to life. It was no longer just a dead language of old stories but a means of modern communication.

The tales were introductions to the songs. The performance absolutely came up to the expectations of those who had heard Hoboud's music in the Internet. The band's charisma was even stronger live. The energetic playing together with the beautiful singing of Maria Ruminska and Agnieszka Symolon carried the audience away to another world. The new songs presented for the first time turned out to be as interesting as the ones already known.

After the concert the spectators emphasised the professionalism of the musicians and the beauty of the forgotten dialect of Warmia. They also mentioned that when Hoboud's album is ready they will definitely buy it.
- Article in the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper 22 March 2009

Maria and Marcin Ruminski from Olsztyn, Warmia, gave me a flying visit today and handed a CD with 2 tracks by Hoboud. What is Hoboud? I don‘t know much. I had to look it up in the Net, and then listen to the CD. Now I am sure of one thing – this is going to be the hit of the year in the category that I have no definition for. A rarity.

First, a few words about the hoboud, a Warmian equivalent of kobold. It is an ugly, mischievous and sometimes witty sprite, gnome or dwarf. In the past, German miners believed that kobolds stole silver. Hobouds, like trolls, are resistant to magic. They never break their vows and supposedly are the best at treasure-hunting. The hoboud was chosen as a musical theme for a new project by the leaders of Shannon, the celtic band from Poland. They changed the line-up to make up a new band and together with the new musicians recorded a demo about the Warmian gnome.

The group have chosen an unconventional way of presenting their music. It starts with the sounds of a bonfire and the wind in the forest at the background. We can hear the narration by Edward Cyfus, a regional story-teller. The credible tale of the Warmian hoboud is in the local dialect. The narration ends and the music emerges with gasps and footsteps and we can anticipate something to happen. It is easy to imagine the whole scene just listening to the music. It grows and a female voice appears, simple and clear as a stream, natural and unpolluted. Then again Edward Cyfus continues his story, a horse neighs and... off they go! The music carries away!

In my opinion the music about the hoboud deserves attention. It combines elements that address different generations, people of all ages (it will arouse interest of both the young and the adults). Its great value lies in giving prominence to tradition, aesthetic display of the cultural roots and artistic reinvention of the subject into a plot full of easily imaginable scenes. The music could be compared to a painting, and the musicians know exactly what they are painting, with sounds and words. The story they present is so convincing that now the hoboud is revived with every snap of a twig, in the dark recesses of the night and the evening walk among the trees.

Marcin and Maria Ruminski have gathered versatile musicians for the band, proficient in a couple of musical genres, with interest in folk music.

The demo material promoting their soon-to-be released CD includes: „Stojala Dziywczyna“ and „Borozin“.

I am impressed with the songs they recorded.
- Elzbieta Mierzynska/Olsztyn 24

This devoted Polish octet is trying their best, with claws and teeth, to preserve at least the tiniest bit of an almost entirely wiped out culture that once stood in bloom in the Warmia district, northern side of Poland, a place full of castles, history and folklore.
And serious they are; there seems to be endless research behind each and every one of the (traditional) songs they've recorded here on their first album, and the material is completely sung in an old Warmian dialect that barely no tongue speaks any longer. The booklet is full of interesting reading; we don't only get the lyrics in Polish and English, we also get a proper introduction to the band, their purpose and their thoughts. It comes presented in a extremely nice digipak that folds out like a cross, and has some really nice pictures of the eight band members, hoboud creatures and overall, a very stylish design.

I must also mention that before this album was born, the band did send me a copy of their demo for review purpose, but it arrived here in Sweden in two pieces, which made me quite sad, but I am now so glad to be able to present my review of this album instead!

Well. HOBOUD... In the booklet you can learn that a hoboud was a devilish creature that frequently appeared in the tales around the Warmia district. Hobouds seems to have lots in common with golems, kobols and gnomes as well, but what makes them more interesting is, or was, how people summoned them in old days. I won't spoil the story, but recommends already a purchase of this album to find out!
Also, the first track here is a very suspenseful and dramatic hoboud invocation song that resembles both MOON FAR AWAY and DIAMANDA GALAS with a mixture of heavenly and devilish vocals, field recordings, intense strings and monstrous growls. It explodes near the end, though, in a up-tempo traditional folk manner, but quite quickly fades to black again. Between all songs, we get some story telling or narration in Polish, by Edward, which is awfully nice to hear, even though I don't understand what he's talking about.

The following tracks aren't quite as atmospheric, but focuses on folk music instead. I feel quite at home with the sound of HOBOUD since Swedish and Polish folk music has always been the best of friends. I would, actually, mistake many of these melodies for Swedish songs if it weren't for the vocals. Bands like GARMARNA and HEDNINGARNA constantly circle in my head when listening to "Wkrzeszenie Hobouda". But, this is certainly not another undistinguished folk album. The other way around! HOBOUD's been working hard to get a unique sound with danceable violins, electric and acoustic guitars, nyckelharpa (key fiddle), mandolins, peculiar drum patterns and lots of lovely vocal harmonies, both male and female. Most of the songs lives through several drastic changes in tempo and pace before settling down, and it's all surprisingly tight, especially considering the bands young age and the fact that there are not less than eight members to keep track on, and probably eight more of less different wills. Impressive!
The lyrics are thoroughgoing dark and sad, not seldom telling tales of abduction, unanswered love, murder and other tragedies, and even though I can't fully get their true meaning, the English translations educate, amuse and intrigue me.

Can I recommend any good tracks for starters? I will try!
"Lozania Sia" has a more rocky approach than most other tracks, with lovely twittering female vocals and is the first track, if we disregard the intro, that really captures me.
Also, the following track is very nice and much calmer, reminding me once again of MOON FAR AWAY or maybe DEAD CAN DANCE. The slow violin in the middle is truly spellbinding.
I could also mention the chaotic "Nieszczajscie" that shines with its lovely jazzy interludes and crazy vocals.
But, to keep doing this track name dropping is useless. It's an album of a great and even quality and you should find your own favourite songs, I think. And if you are into traditional folk or folk-rock, you shouldn't hesitate to get this gem at all. It's a sparkling, charming one-of-a-kind folk music album from a bunch of awfully nice fellows that deserves all possible support they can get.

Tracklist:

Zaklinanie
Mninuty
Stojala
Lozania Sia
Burmnistrzowno
Nieszczajscie
Eszcze Nie Bul Dzian
Borozin
Zielono Lonka
Lolstynska Pole
Ksiot
Lobczyszze Jasku

- THE SHADOWS COMMENCE

Review of the album 'Wskrzeszenie Hobouda' in musicworldradio.com forum by Paul E. D. (DJ)
source link:
http://musicworldradio.com/forums2/index.php?topic=419.0
on: November 18, 2009, 07:45:34 PM


The album centers around folklore, urban myths and campire stories surround the mischievous spirit, Hoboud( the band name).
The album, Wskrzeszenie (hobouda), is a jounrey, kind of like the irish Clannad with the instruments played and what probably springs to mind when you do hear it
Opening sounds like something from of Devil Mat Cry game, with images of a growling monster in the rain in a little village, one thing albums miss, great openings
Great harmonies it introduces you to the sound and sets the tone.
The sounds are traditional folk music, really taking you back in time, all in Polish and some naturation between songs.
Guitars, violins, the sounds of folk, great vocals and great bassline on The Forester
Even if you don't understand the language it is fun to listen to. You can switch the lights off and the opening really does put you in the mood, in a wooden tavern with flickering lights.
Electric guitar flys into The Green Meadow. Nice break in the song with like a dirty harry type running bassline undercurrent.
The album weaves through traditional folk and stories in the lyrics to more modern sounds though the bassline and electric instruments.
The Little Wooden Church, opens with fine femal vocals and beautiful keyboard sound
The green meadow (Zielono Lonka) the most most eclectic out of all the songs on the album.
Listening to this album really puts you in a mood, yes its not in English speak, but with the music, it is like another instrument, in a sense you could say its an instrument folk album
The lyric booklet has got the words on England and Polish.
I compare this music to clannad because thats what it sounds like. With Clannad you have a family of musicans on the album, this is what this album sounds like.
The tradition is in the booklet and does sound like something out of Resident Evil, terrorising a village, then just disappearing
I heard the band music before i got sent the albnum and i knew what the music was like, but it is different when you hear it in the context of an album.
I'm not a huge folk fan, but i like the Clannad type sound, more commerical and poppy than some traditional folk and this album is like that in a few ways
One thing i like about the album, the nice digipack pack sleeve and lyric book, well made and very impreesive
You can request songs from the album because the album will be played on the station

Paul E.D

www.myspace.com/hoboud
To buy the album
http://wsm.serpent.pl/sklep/albumik.php,alb_id,19608,Wskrzeszenie-Hobouda,Hoboud - MusicWorldRadio.com