Thirty-five years of rocking. That’s Orlek for you. Right here before you stands a legacy. Orlek isn’t just a band. It’s a whirlwind of rock’n’roll brass and accordion. A unique folk punk polka rock sound. Their music bursts with energy. It’s a sonic representation of life in Slovenia’s mining heartland.
Orlek formed in 1989 in Zagorje ob Savi. Their name? It comes from a hill. A hill overlooking their hometown. This small village is where their story began. Their music reflects the hard work and humor of the miners. It’s a vibrant blend of genres. Rock’n’roll meets traditional folk. Brass and accordion add a special touch. Their lyrics are socio-humorous often incorporating Slovenian and international songs.
Orlek’s music has taken them around the globe. They’ve played at prestigious festivals. WOM festivals in Germany Poland and Slovenia. They even performed at Musikfest in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Imagine Orlek’s music filling venues in Pakistan Australia and New Zealand. Their 2012 tour of Brazil Argentina and Uruguay was a huge success. They even rocked the legendary CBGB club in New York in 2002. That’s Orlek’s global impact.
Their album Adijo knapi Goodbye Miners won numerous awards. It received the Golden Bird prize from the Liberal Academy of Slovenia. It also won a student radio award and a local community award. Adijo knapi and Melodije smoga in premoga Tunes of Smog and Coal were even nominated for the Slovenian Grammy the Golden Cock. Orlek’s Salamurca and the composition Na Kum To Kum also earned them Golden Cock awards. Their album TETovirani 3 features PERKMANDELJC a song accompanied by a stunning 3D animated video.
Orlek’s music keeps evolving. Their Orlek Express album featured the hit Mala Zagorjanka and instrumental pieces Orlek Express and Full House. In 2009 they celebrated their 20th anniversary with the album Anduht. Anduht contains playful calm songs with humorous lyrics. It includes the erotic mining piece Druga dne luknje The Other Holes. There’s also Dol po Savi Down the Sava and the chanson Upokojenega policaja pesem Retired Cop’s Song. Even a song dedicated to paying bills Poloenice. The album REPETE followed in 2012. It contained rearranged acoustic versions of older songs along with a new lively track Zivljenje gre naprej Life Goes On.
Orlek’s 2017 album FRPRUH unearthed songs from the Zasavje mines. These newly excavated compositions were combined with their biggest hits for a concert theater experience. It was enriched with unique mining humor and anecdotes. The actor and humorist Matjaz Javsnik adds to the show. The band celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2019. They released the album ZIVEL ROKENROL featuring 11 new songs. This album showcases Orlek’s enduring energy and a fresh sound.
So here you are. In front of a legend. Orlek’s music is more than just songs. It’s a story of passion. It’s a story of resilience. It’s a story told through music from a small village in Slovenia. A story that’s traveled the world.