MARI KALKUN – “Stories of Stonia”

“Gentle, dignified and utterly beautiful. As a singer, writer and instrumentalist, Kalkun is a  musician whose work is a jewel in the crown of the rich Estonian scene.” – Fiona Talkington,  Songlines

Mari Kalkun is an internationally acclaimed artist who in 2023 released her new solo album ‘Stories of Stonia’ (by Real World Records). New album ties together ancient myths, runo songs and contemporary poetry written in one of the oldest languages in the world – Võro. The album has already reached much acclaim internationally (Transglobal World Music Chart nr 1; TOP 10 by European World Music Chart, 5 star review by Financial Times, Songlines Best New Albums etc).

Mari Kalkun takes old stories into a new, maybe even unexpected context. “The motivation for this album is my own curiosity to turn back to a very old layer of tradition and find out what my ancestors have thought and sang and how it will resonate in the era of skyscrapers, steel and metal,” says Kalkun.

The singer speaks boldly about sharp topics such as climate change or vulnerable species and languages. “At a time when the world as we’ve known seems to be falling apart, I feel the need to return to the old songs of creation – to start again from scratch, to re-imagine.” Being much inspired by the traditional music, Kalkun has developed her very own way of singing, binding the inspiration from archive materials together with her own compositions and voicescapes.

A voice that seems to speak to us from the heart of the Estonian forest, Mari Kalkun’s music is at once of a place and deeply personal. Rooted in ancient Estonian and Võru traditions, and played on a variety of instruments including kannel, her music—for those of us with ears and hearts open—resonates deep within us to touch our spirits, our souls, even when the language is strange to us. Songs and musical arrangements that are sparse and stripped down allow emotions to surface, and the song breath and reveal itself as something organic and real. Hers is an intimate music—born of Baltic winter forests and icy landscapes— and yet there is renewal, hope and celebration to be heard. Mari Kalkun’s music has a timeless quality and unhurried sense of time and space.

As of 2023, Mari Kalkun has released 8 albums in Estonia, Europe and Japan. She has worked as a soloist in projects with acclaimed orchestras and choirs. Mari has toured through Europe and Japan. Her previous full-length album “llmamõtsan” covering themes from the personal to the environmental to the deportations inflicted by the Soviet regime, received widespread coverage and recognition by international media. “Ilmamõtsan” was included in the Top 10 of best world albums of 2018 by The Guardian. Her latest EP “Apple Orchard Album” which grew out of the unusual spring of 2020 also received much recognition in homeland and abroad. She has been recently featured on international radio and TV stations such as BBC3, BBC4, BBC Scotland, J-Wave Tokyo, Osaka Radio, Scotland TV, and BBC Alba etc. In 2019 Mari Kalkun received the Annual Music Award of Cultural Endowment of Estonia. In 2018 she received the Tallinn Music Week Artist Award. In 2023 Mari was awarded as the Artist of the Year by Estonian Ethno Music Awards and among 4 nominations by the Estonian Music Awards 2024 she won the Best Ethno/Folk Album of the Year Award. In 2024 her album “Stories of Stonia” got awarded as the Golden Record in Estonia.

Combining folk traditions with innovative songwriting, Mari Kalkun is one of the most forward-looking folk artists today.

Her album “Stories of Stonia” is co-produced with beloved Sam Lee and the album was released by Real World Records. In a short period of time Mari has presented hew new album already in 12  countries around the world.

“Kalkun earns a place in the exclusive category of unusual artists with strong

personalities led by Tori Amos and Kate Bush.”

‘Stories of Stonia’ weaves a web of mystery, mythology, magic, deep roots and modern

technology”. – Lira Musikmagasin

“Kalkun’s singing is at the heart of things; joyous and lamenting by turns, but always poised and melodious, her poeticism apparent even without translation. A magical creation.” – The Guardian

Mari Kalkun – vocals, kannel, piano, electronics, percussive instruments

Web: www.marikalkun.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/marikalkun

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YlTySs4XWgNgGDcBiwdu9?si=QSj3Kcu8T

e2enmX1QcW4cA

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/marikalkun

Bandcamp: https://marikalkun.bandcamp.com/releases

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariKalkunMusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marikalkun/