Zmei3

Zmei3 (pronounced zmay-tray) is a Romanian group whose eccentric sound melds together components of Romanian folk, soul, blues, jazz, and avant-garde. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Paula Turcas, a previous opera vocalist, and offering vibraphonist Oli Bott, guitarist/lyricist Mihai Victor Iliescu, and dual bassist Arnulf Ballhorn, the band’s uncommon name is influenced by zmeu (zmei plural), a supernatural half-dragon/half-man creature from Romanian mythology. Their intense and frequently freeform songs regularly cope with the severe challenges of post-Communist guideline in their house country. Dealing with Grammy-winning American maker Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Malawi Mouse Males), Zmei3 documented their debut recording, Rough Romanian Spirit, live without overdubs in the Transylvanian Mountains near Dracula’s castle. The recording premiered in early 2016 by Six Levels Records.