Music
Press
‘Auli, one of the strongest and most unique Latvian folk-music groups, are known for their use of the minimalist sounds of bagpipes and primitive drums. The group’s first album was a true discovery for listeners who had always thought of folk music within the traditional clichés. The members of Auli are exciting and provocative, visually interesting, and very self-assured. Their music, though it employs traditional Latvian melodies and sometimes texts, may easily be included in the “world music” category, as Auli combine medieval acoustic sounds with a rhythm and drive charasteristic of contemporary dance music.’ - Baltic Outlook, August/September, 2007
‘Forget about soft folk, this music packs a punch’ - City Paper, The Baltic States
‘Auïi has come to the top of the wave unexpectedly fast’ - Kultûras Forums, newspaper
‘Vibrations, building up the sound, penetrate the body and mind… arrange and heal’ – Rîgas Laiks, magazine - Rîgas Laiks, magazine
Discography
''Auli'' has 2 albums:
Aulos...
(Lauska, 2007)
Sendzirdeju
(Lauska, 2005)
Currently ''Auli'' are working on their 3rd CD, it will be prezented at the end of 2009.
Photos
Bio
6 bagpipers and 3 drummers - came together in the spring of 2003, and their first performance occurred at the 750 year celebrations of the city of Liepâja on Latvia’s western coast. By the next performance – the world music festival, Vendene, in Cesis later that summer – the ensemble had gained the name Auïi. The word “Auli” has two meanings, both describing their music which is closely related with nature: sounds of galloping horses and bees. After a month came the first performance in Lithuania at the festival Menuo Jodaragis. And another month later the group played in the Baltijas Saule festival (Riga) dedicated to the unity of Balts. Concerts in Estonia – Tallinn and Tartu - followed and Auli concluded 2003 with a performance at the Folklore Award Ceremony.
Intense concert activity and growth of the ensemble began. Auli soon performed in front of a variety of audiences: For children in schools throughout Latvia, exploring the history of their instruments.
Latvian official state celebrations and city festivals: Liepaja, Ventspils, the Cesis 800 celebration, Sigulda, Valmiera, Valka, Aizpute, Livani, Riga.
Music festivals in Latvia: Baltijas saule, Roza peldbaseins, Bauzland, Porta world music festival, Vendene, the Baltic Medieval Festival
Lithuania: Menuo Jodaragis, Apuole, Kilkim Zaibu;
Estonia: Mutofest, Nomme Kevadfolk;
Poland: Czeremczina, Skrzyzowanie Kultur Warszawa
Russia: St Patrick’s day festival in St Petersbourg
China: The Star Live Concert Hall, Beijing.
Clubs: Depo, Tonuss, Fontaine Palace
Presentation of NATO summit 2007 logo, President palace, Riga
Projects of popular Latvian composers: Juris Kulakovs, Valts Puce, Martins Brauns, Zigmars Liepins, Raimonds Tiguls, Peteris Butans.
In 2008 Auli performed at the four-yearly Latvian Song and Dance Festival opening and gala concert (one of biggest musical events in Latvia) together with 12,000 singers.
Renowned documentary director Askolds Saulitis made the first video of the group, released in 2007.
Auli second CD Auïos… won the Recording Company’s Music Award for Best Contemporary Folk Music album in 2007.
Song Sendzirdeju received Author Rights Association Award as a most played folk tune arrangement in 2007. Currently the group is working on their third album.
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