In our ‘living room’, Karin van den Boogaert and Carolien Cleiren receive all manner of World Music performers.
Aleksandra Popovska and Zoli Soos were guests at Acoustic Roots in Podium Oost, Utrecht.
Aleksandra Popovska is a Dutch-Macedonian mezzo-soprano, composer, singing teacher, choral conductor, pianist, and flautist. Her background is as varied as her career. She grew up in the former Yugoslavia and studied in Serbia, Macedonia, the Netherlands, and England. Her life and her creative work have thus been shaped by both the Balkans and the West. She graduated from the University of the Arts in Utrecht (HKU) with B.S., M.M., and MPhil degrees, studied at Portsmouth University (UK) and the University SS. Cyril & Methodius in Skopje (MK), on the subjects voice, composition, music production, music technique, and choral conductor. She started her international career in 2000, as a singer and pianist in the Dragan Dautovski Quartet, performing on many international stages. She also participated in more than 20 CD recordings in different musical genres. She is a creative musical jack-of-all-trades and also makes songs using children’s toys such as a music box (as you will hear during the broadcast).
Zoli Soos is a guitarist and singer, he is involved with multiple bands and projects. Among other things, he is the frontman of the Vinsky group. After a year at the conservatoire (drums, light music) Zoli decided to focus more on the profession of producing. He studied composition and music production at the University of Arts in Utrecht (HKU). He completed two Master’s programmes, Master of Arts (cum laude) and Master of Music. There he also got to know Aleksandra Popovska and this has led to a close musical partnership and friendship. They write songs, perform together in the group Vinsky, but as a duo as well. Zoli’s excellent guitar playing gives Aleksandra all the space she needs to seek adventure with her voice. In the interview with Karin van de Boogaerdt, she explains that in addition to English and Balkan texts, she also often sings in a language she has created herself. She, therefore, has the freedom to express her feelings in sounds and uses a lot of expression in her voice and facial expressions.
Playlist:
1. Lost Dream, Aleksandra solo
2. Zanata e (Woman is….), Aleksandra solo
3. Uci me majko, karaj me (Teach me, mother), Aleksandra solo
4. Ljubov (Love), Aleksandra solo
5. Si zaljubiv edno mome, Zoli en Aleksandra
6. In the village, Zoli en Aleksandra
7. Kumanovka, Zoli en Aleksandra
8. Aber dojde Donke (Donka), Zoli en Aleksandra
9. Lazi, Lazi, Vere (Lie to me Vere), Zoli en Aleksandra
10. Pavle mi pie (Pavle is drinking), Zoli en Aleksandra
11. Morning Morgantown, Joni Mitchel, Zoli en Aleksandra
