Folk Rock - Narodnozabavni Rock

Slovenian Eurovision Song Contest (EMA) took place on February 21st of 2010. An overwhelming winner was the song "Narodnozabavni rock" (Folk Rock or Polka Rock), performed by two groups:

• popular folk band "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" (Rok Žlindra Ensemble) and
• popular rock band "Kalamari" (Calamari)

The tune is an interesting mix of button box - pop - polka music and rock rhythm which obviously took hearts of Slovenian tele-voters (audience voting via phones). 

Photo above: Jože Jež - Pepi, "Kalamari" vocal and Barbara Ogrinc, "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" vocal after winning Slovenian Eurovision Song Contest (EMA) at "Gospodarsko razstavišče" in Ljubljana

On May 29, the selected Slovenian contestant will compete at the finals  of the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway - if they make it through the semi-finals.



Video above: "Narodnozabavni rock" tune performed live in Ljubljana on February 21, 2010

According to Rok Žlindra, the members of his folk ensemble will stay authentic and in Oslo perform in Slovenian ethnic clothing, like they always do.

After winning EMA contest in Ljubljana, the winners stated that it's time for the European pop audience to experience the sound of button box music - which they will deliver.

In the recent years button accordion once again became so widely popular with all generations of musicians all across Slovenia that some people are saying they wish for some more piano accordions at the folk festivals.

Good luck to "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" and "Kalamari."

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