BLISK

24min   |   English   |  Igal Hecht

BLISK debuted in December of 2017, at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto where they opened for JUNO-nominated Turkwaz. Their sound is described as a musical journey traveling through Ukraine, Poland, Russia, the Balkans, and beyond. The Toronto-based, all-female trio was brought together by a deep love and respect for the ancient songs and dances of these regions, bringing the tunes to life in the modern world through unique original compositions, storytelling, dance, and distinctive arrangements of traditional folk music.

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The band’s original compositions are inspired by the countries from which the members hail – Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Canada. These are seamlessly intertwined and paired with traditional Eastern European and Balkan repertoire that crosses cultural borders. Dancer Stephania adds an extra element of dance, performing improvised modern choreographies inspired by the dance traditions of these regions, adding another layer to the texture of the overall show. Throughout their performance, the band regularly shares stories about the ancient rituals and folklore from which the songs originate, which is important to the group. As a result, the storytelling aspect of the show adds rich cultural value to the set.