Aroma - Huli (Mèraque remix)

@Meraque brings contemporary electronica together with traditional sounds from the Balkans and the Middle East. 

Their Symbiosis EP features a dynamic mix of compositions where danceable rhythms, lyrical melodies and dreamy soundscapes conjoin. Rhythms are reminiscent of typical Balkan grooves, which are embodied by the djembe, tapan and darbuka. 

All this is served on a bed of electronic elements, which provide extra punch and danceability. Remixes on the EP are provided by @bliznochi (DE), @alaixpulse (FR) and @soulsafari-nl (NL). 

More info on the EP: www.krooks-records.com/album/meraque-symbiosis/

Mèraque || Symbiosis

Mèraque || Mèraque Live EP

Folklore is one of the fundamentals that defines us as human beings. Therefore, @meraque is intrigued by bringing traditional musical elements from different cultures together.

During a trip, they came across the track “Hûli”, composed by Aroma (IND). Inspired by the eponymous, indigenous tribe of Papua New Guinea, he created tribal hypnotic grooves and tropical style soundscapes.

Mèraque flavored their remix with lyrical melodies of clarinet and saxophone. Simultaneously, the oud hovers around in oriental pentatonic patterns. Driving rhythms of the darbuka make the exotic danceable vibe complete.

The track is part of the album Tropical Bangers IV, released in March 2021, by Ohxalá Records, Portugal.

Music:
Clarinet/ Saxophone/ Production: Martin Grozdanoski
Percussion/ Production: Jorick Bronius
Oud: Ashraf Hanouti
Original mix: Aroma (IND)

Engineering
Mix-down: Noraj Cue
__

4th edition of our acclaimed series Tropical Bangers.
Amazing tunes from all over the world featuring Gingaí, Magupi, Erhan Yilmaz, To Ricciardi, Dope(PT), Mondocane, Fletcher Monsoon, Rossalto, SLVN, Olik, Centaurus A, F- Plur, Juan Magaña, Aroma, Mèraque, Cano Guru, Vinzoo, M.Age.Project, Dj Puk, R.B.L.O.,Sugark, Adari, Amatan and Huehue.
Curated by Ohxala.
Artwork: OZERARV
Mastered at Ohxala Records Studio
ORVA04

Tropical Bangers Vol. IV

Hûli (Mèraque Remix)

Aroma - Hûli (Mèraque Remix)

@meraque brings contemporary electronica together with traditional sounds from the Balkans and the Middle East. Their Symbiosis EP features a dynamic mix of compositions where danceable rhythms, lyrical melodies and dreamy soundscapes conjoin. Rhythms are reminiscent of typical Balkan grooves, which are embodied by the djembe, tapan and darbuka. All this is served on a bed of electronic elements, which provide extra punch and danceability. Remixes on the EP are provided by @bliznochi (DE), @alaixpulse (FR) and @soulsafari-nl (NL). More info on the EP: www.krooks-records.com/album/meraque-symbiosis/

Arabic Ajvar (Bliz Nochi Remix)

Mèraque - Arabic Ajvar (Bliz Nochi Remix)

Volci

Mèraque - Volci

Arabic Ajvar

Mèraque - Arabic Ajvar

Kabanova

Mèraque - Kabanova

Zweef

Mèraque - Zweef

“Isla” is the first single from @Meraque upcoming Live EP. Mèraque invites you to experience their live shows, where this track shines as an improvisational gem within their performance. The foundation of "Isla" was created at Lievelinge, the same location where this live recording and videoclip was produced. 

During the past summer, Mèraque embarked on a tour, performing at numerous wonderful festivals and venues. Their live shows allow for extensive improvisation, resulting in many spontaneous and exhilarating moments. To share these moments with a wider audience, they are compiling the highlights into a Live EP with Krooks Records which will be released later this autumn. 

"Isla" commences with flowing percussion, with the guitar and saxophone grooving to the rhythm. The layers of warm vocals add depth to the composition and gradually build up tension. A soulful saxophone solo emerges, contributing to a melancholic climax where everything harmoniously converges.

Mèraque:
Electronics/ Percussion: Jorick Bronius
Alto-Saxophone: Martin Grozdanoski
Guitar: Onur Kaletas
Percussion: Gino Bombrini
Vocals: Elena Somacal

Composers:
Jorick Bronius
Martin Grozdanoski
Felix Pulmano

Isla (Live)

Mèraque - Isla (Live at Lievelinge)

Mèraque - Isla (Live at Lievelinge)

During the past summer, Mèraque embarked on a tour, performing at numerous wonderful festivals and venues: Wildeburg, Landjuweel and de Lievelinge. Their During the summer of 2023, @Meraque embarked on a tour, performing at numerous festivals and venues: Wildeburg, Landjuweel, de Lievelinge and many more. Their live shows allow for extensive improvisation, resulting in many exhilarating moments. To share these captivating moments with a wider audience, Mèraque releases these highlights in this Live EP in collaboration with @soundofaroma, @soulsafari and @krooks-amsterdam. More info on the EP: www.krooks-records.com/album/meraque-live/

In the live version of "Kabanova," a marvellous guitar solo enriches the experience, and the crowd's harmonious singing echoes at the track's conclusion. "Volci," a standout piece, underwent a significant transformation during the last summer tour. With the addition of Talal Fayad to the band, enchanting ud solos now infuse the track with unprecedented color.

Inspired by a tribe from Papua New Guinea, featuring artist @soundofaroma composed "Huli." In this live version, Mèraque adds their signature touch with clarinet and saxophone melodies, oriental guitar patterns, and dynamic rhythms, creating an exotic and danceable vibe.

The new track "Isla" is a captivating journey with flowing percussion, where the guitar and saxophone seamlessly groove. Warm vocals add depth, building tension until a soulful saxophone solo emerges, leading to a melancholic climax where all elements harmoniously converge.

Band:
Electronics/ Percussion: Jorick Bronius
Clarinet/ Alto-Saxophone: Martin Grozdanoski
Guitar: Onur Kaletas
Ud: Talal Fayad
Percussion: Gino Bombrini
Percussion: Omar Beganovic
Vocals: Elena Somacallive shows allow for extensive improvisation, resulting in many spontaneous and exhilarating moments. To share these moments with a wider audience, Mèraque releases these highlights in this Live EP in collaboration with Krooks Records on December 7th. 

In the live version of "Kabanova," a marvelous guitar solo enriches the experience, and the crowd's harmonious singing echoes at the track's conclusion. "Volci," a standout piece, underwent a significant transformation during the last summer tour. With the addition of Talal Fayad to the band, enchanting ud solos now infuse the track with unprecedented color.

Inspired by a tribe from Papua New Guinea, featuring artist Aroma composed "Huli." In this live version, Mèraque adds their signature touch with clarinet and saxophone melodies, oriental guitar patterns, and dynamic rhythms, creating an exotic and danceable vibe.

The new track "Isla" is a captivating journey with flowing percussion, where the guitar and saxophone seamlessly groove. Warm vocals add depth, building tension until a soulful saxophone solo emerges, leading to a melancholic climax where all elements harmoniously converge.

Beyond the audio recordings, the project extends to the visual realm with the release of three captivating live videos.
  
Band: 
Electronics/ Percussion: Jorick Bronius 
Clarinet/ Alto-Saxophone: Martin Grozdanoski
 Guitar: Onur Kaletas 
Ud: Talal Fayad 
Percussion: Gino Bombrini  
Percussion: Omar Beganovic 
Vocals: Elena Somacal

Mèraque, Soul Safari - Volci (Live at Landjuweel)

During the summer of 2023, @Meraque embarked on a tour, performing at numerous festivals and venues: Wildeburg, Landjuweel, de Lievelinge and many more. Their live shows allow for extensive improvisation, resulting in many exhilarating moments. To share these captivating moments with a wider audience, Mèraque releases these highlights in this Live EP in collaboration with @soundofaroma, @soulsafari and @krooks-amsterdam. More info on the EP: www.krooks-records.com/album/meraque-live/

In the live version of "Kabanova," a marvellous guitar solo enriches the experience, and the crowd's harmonious singing echoes at the track's conclusion. "Volci," a standout piece, underwent a significant transformation during the last summer tour. With the addition of Talal Fayad to the band, enchanting ud solos now infuse the track with unprecedented color.

Inspired by a tribe from Papua New Guinea, featuring artist @soundofaroma composed "Huli." In this live version, Mèraque adds their signature touch with clarinet and saxophone melodies, oriental guitar patterns, and dynamic rhythms, creating an exotic and danceable vibe.

The new track "Isla" is a captivating journey with flowing percussion, where the guitar and saxophone seamlessly groove. Warm vocals add depth, building tension until a soulful saxophone solo emerges, leading to a melancholic climax where all elements harmoniously converge.

Band:
Electronics/ Percussion: Jorick Bronius
Clarinet/ Alto-Saxophone: Martin Grozdanoski
Guitar: Onur Kaletas
Ud: Talal Fayad
Percussion: Gino Bombrini
Percussion: Omar Beganovic
Vocals: Elena Somacal

Mèraque, Aroma (IND) - Huli (Live at Wildeburg)

Mèraque - Kabanova (Live at Wildeburg)

Live set at the Church in Ruigoord (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Rhei (DJ), Jorick Bronius (Percussion), Grozdanoski (Clarinet)

Ruigoord x House Of Chi - Rhei & Mèraque (live)

Blending organic sounds of live instruments with down tempo electronic music. 
All of the instrumental recordings were improvised.
Live session of Mèraque & Leon Poppins at "Enter the Church" by House of Chi. 

DJ: Leon Poppins
Percussion: Jorick Bronius
Clarinet: Martin Grozdanoski

Free Download

Mèraque & Leon Row - Live at Ruigoord Amsterdam @ House of Chi

An adventure in Seattle and San Fransisco earlier this year, brought us to the guys of @tremulantcanhelp. That's when we discovered @RasiZ & @Pandhora and their track Sarab (released by @NCTRNLrecords). 
Its authentic vibe definitely moved us.

Back home in Amsterdam we decided to make our own interpretation of the track, so here it is!

We want to thank @deepfilip for connecting us in Seattle, @ptrahbar for creating a beautiful vibe in Seattle, @chromemastering for mix down & mastering, @krooks-amsterdam for the allround support and ofcourse @RasiZ & @Pandhora for supporting the edit!

Love and be safe

Sarab - Rasi Z & Pandhora (Mèraque edit)

The magical Amazon rainforest functions as the lungs of our planet. Surrounded by its trees and breathing its air, Mèraques members came closer to their hearts and intuition. That is translated in this remix by the mystical vocal elements at the start. 

While tension rises, expressive Balkan melodies of the ud and clarinet embody the liveliness and the richness of the forest. 

The original rousing groove created by @Beyhudemusic, provides @Meraque an inspiring sound to build an entrancing atmosphere.

Clarinet/ Production: Martin Grozdanoski
Percussion/ Production: Jorick Bronius
Oud : Ashraf Hanouti
Vocals : Dilara Cugun

We thank @beyhudemusic and @metanoiarhythm for supporting us in our experimental adventure!

Cover art: Lisa Derksen Castello  | Sea the Sound
Mixdown/ mastering: Noraj Cue | Sendmestems

Amazon (Mèraque remix)

Buy it on bandcamp

Beyhude - Amazon (Mèraque remix)

Mèraque was born from passion and curiosity. 

A passion for the Balkans, and a curiosity for what might happen when you mix these sounds with influences from Latin America and the Middle-East. 

Allow your body to fly on their energetic percussion, lively electronics, classic oud and the melancholic accents of clarinet. 

These elements merge into enchanting live sets full of improvisation, where the souls of the inevitably dancing audience and musicians connect.  

More info: bookings@meraque.space

2022:
6th of March: Pllek Amsterdam
10th of April: Pllek Amsterdam
5th of June: Amsterdam Open Air Festival 
11th of June: Maanfeest Ruigoord
12th of June: Pllek
9th of July: Wildeburg Festival
25th of July: Pllek
11th of August: Landjuweel festival
19th of August: Noorderlicht 
16th of September: Concertgebouw
29th of September: De Lievelinge

2021:
22th of May: Kamiwaza Festival (F)
12th of June: Kallumaan (NL)
10th of July: Chateau Perche (F)
5th of August: Artist in residence Lievelinge (NL)
14th of August: Ware Nacht Festival (NL)
20th of August: Landjuweel (NL)

2020:
2th of may: Quarantine Radio: House of Chi spring party
15th of june: TivoliVredenburg Utrecht
16th of june: TivoliVredenburg Utrecht
11th of july: Radion Amsterdam
31th of july: Tijdloos (unplugged)
14th of August: Chateau Perche (France)
5th of September: Bajes Beach Club Amsterdam

2019
Mandala festival, Georgies Wundergarten, Into the Woods, Kunstenaarsbal, Enter the Church, Wildeburg.

Mèraque

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