Živel rokenrol

The Orlek group is based in Zagorje ob Savi, in the heart of the mining area in the center of Slovenia. The name Orlek comes from the name of the hill at the very edge of Zagorje. Their music is a mixture of rock’n’roll, a kind of “folk punk polka rock”. A variegated instrumental ensemble which, besides traditional rock instruments, also uses a brass section and an accordion, which places them into the ethnic folk music category. Their specialties are texts with social and humorous contents, rich in many expressions typical of the hard work and life of a miner. The group is very communicative and establishes contact quickly, and fills people from different cultural environments with enthusiasm.
That has been proved by successful performances at festivals – WOM festivals: Tanz & Folk Fest in Rudolstadt (Germany), Folk Fiesta (Poland), Druga godba (Slovenia) and other festivals around the world, including Musikfest in Bethlehem (Pennsylvania, USA), Performing Arts Festival Lahore (Pakistan), Folkherbst festival in Plauen (Germany), Fringe festivals in Australia and New Zealand (Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington), Chaoyang Spring Carnival in Beijing (China), Star Live club (Beijing) as well as many other concerts on festivals in Hungary, Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Macedonia, Raussia and also in Slovenia. In October 2012, they had a very successful tour of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Their club concerts are also well-known, as for example their performance in the legendary CBGB club in New York in 2002 and 2006. On their second tour in the United States in 2006 they gave an extra concert in Philadelphia.
On account of its authentic sound and texts the group has attracted the attention of both music experts/critics as well as the broad public. Their album “Adijo knapi” (Goodbye Miners) has won several awards, e.g. including the Golden Bird prize (from) the Liberal Academy of Slovenia), the reward of the student radio in Maribor - Maršev gojzar (Marš‘s Mountaineering Boots) and the local community reward. The albums “Adijo knapi” and “Melodije smoga in premoga” (Tunes of Smog and Coal) were nominated for the “Slovene Grammy” award, the Golden Cock. The album Salamurca and the composition "Na Kum" (To Kum) have received the Golden Cock. Their album "TETovirani 3" includes the composition "PERKMANDELJC", for which Dušan Kastelic made an excellent video in 3D animation. At their 25th anniversary they were awarded with dr. Slavko Grum prize for their contribution to music culture.