Drei Jahre nach “Down in the Meadow” (Morphine Records) bringt das aus Serbien, Österreich und Deutschland stammende Trio Gordan, das jüngst im Berliner KvU zu sehen war, ein zweites Album bei Glitterbeat heraus. Der selbstbetitelte Longplayer bringt einmal mehr traditionelle Gesangstechniken der Balkanregion und Serbiens im Besonderen mit dem pulsierenden Zusammenspiel von Bass und Drums, Feedback und verschiedener Elektronik unter einen Hut und beeindruckt dabei mit einer stilistischen Vielfalt, die jedem der Stücke einen eigenen ausdrucksintensiven Charakter verleiht. Die Combo besteht aus Vokalistin Svetlana Spajic (Marina Abramovic, Robert Wilson, Anohni and the Johnsons, Zeitkratzer) sowie dem Drummer Andi Stecher und Bassist Guido Möbius, die bereits als Duo unter dem Namen G.A.M.S. unterwegs waren. Ein wesentliches Thema der Songs sind die Mythen und Erzählungen der Region. Das Album erscheint am 10. Mai in den gängigen Formaten, ausführliche Hintergrundinformationen finden sich u.a. auf Bandcamp. Live präsentiert wird das neue Material am 11.05. im Berliner Ausland.

“Gordan make music between expressiveness and abstraction. Their pieces are not limited by rigid formal structures. Instead, they are open processes that create a loss of sense of time. Reduced arrangements and expressive vocals combine to form a powerful musical whole. This band creates something new from minimalism, intensity and the rich singing tradition of the Balkans. When Down in the Meadow, the first album by Gordan was released by Morphine Records in October 2021, it was celebrated by critics and audience alike. Now the trio presents its second, even more radical album. On this new release, Gordan mirror the mysticism of legends and stories from the Balkan countries with controlled feedback, hypnotic bass, expressive drum playing and the unique vocals by Svetlana Spajic. Each piece on this album follows another sound idea and historical reference. And with all versatility, Gordan keep a coherent, immediately recognizable sound. [...] Drummer Andi Stecher forgoes any ornamentation and at the same time plays varied and concentrated. Confident and with outstanding technique, he is the engine of the band’s sound. His stylistic flexibility demonstrates a profound knowledge of global music history. Guido Möbius plays bass guitar and various electronic sound generators.

He also provokes feedback using a guitar amplifier, microphone and effects. These sometimes spherical, sometimes very concrete sounds interact with Svetlana Spajic’s voice. Vocals and feedback circle each other in fleeting, ever-changing harmony. Spajic is an internationally recognized expert on the history and practice of a rich musical tradition. She knows and masters the hyperlocal singing styles of the Balkan Peninsula like no other contemporary singer. At the same time, she works as an active part of this culture to open it up and re-contextualize it. Spajic has worked with many international art and music universities as well as international stars of contemporary and avant-garde music.” (Glitterbeat)