Kayno Yesno Slonce

Kayno Yesno Slonce is an influential Bulgarian Ethnoambient band formed in 2003.

The band’s current line-up comprises Veselin Mitev (lead vocals, bagpipe, kaval, duduk), Stanislav Stoyanov “Toni Horo” (tupan, zarb, percussion), Peter Delchev (tambura, hang), Evgeni Chakalov (flutes, tambura), Alexey Cvetanov (wavedrum, percussion), Yulia Uzunova (synthesizers, glockenspiel) and Alexandra Shkodrova (gadulka).

Guest musicians of the band include: Pavel Terziiski (vocal), Vlado Chivlidjanov (duduk, bagpipe), Kalin Yordanov (vocals, daf, bendir, darbouka) and Shtoni Kokudev (bagpipe, typan) among others.

History
Kayno Yesno Slonce’s members changed at various occasions after 2006, regrouping around Veselin Mitev (from the band Isihia) who afterwards remained the only original member, although former members sometimes take part in stage performances. Peter Delchev also initially joined Kayno Yesno Slonce as a parallel project to his participation in Isihia. The name of the band is related both with the musical traditions imbedded in its music and those further explored by the musicians. It means literary “like a bright shining sun” or “like a serene sun”. That is a line from the traditional song Vazpelo e pile. The comparison in the lyrics of that song is related with the shine of the swards of a group of Bulgarian rebels on the march.

Musical style and influences
Although touring and recording activities have been sometimes interrupted, the group managed to preserve its characteristic sound. . In a meditative, mostly improvisational way, the band blends traditional Bulgarian music, mostly from the Rhodopes region, with other styles. It draws on folklore of different Balkan countries but transforms and enriches it by imbedding modern values. Some of the elements in it also suggest the tradition of countries in the Middle East, along with Church Slavonic motives and Medieval European music. The drum driven polyrhythms are accompanied by chanting, singing, howling and occasional yelling. Another feature is the nostalgic feeling of a searching man, somehow out of time and place, rarely in response to his desires. In this music the quest for a personal truth and realization is revealed as a symbolic journey, a lonely one, though intimate, thoroughly lived and very often filled with passion. The members of the group have often demonstrated desire to experiment with new instruments and with additional vocals on popular tracks which turns each concert into an attractive spectacle.

Discography

 * Chakruk (2004)
 * Elohim Neva Senzu (2006)
 * Elohim Neva Senzu (2007) (extended version, limited edition)
 * Requiem for The White Wind (2014)
 * Kayno Yesno Slonce (2015)

Band members
Current members
 * Veselin Mitev – lead vocals, bagpipe, kaval, duduk
 * Stanislav Stoyanov “Toni Horo” – tupan, zarb, percussion
 * Peter Delchev – tambura, hang
 * Yulia Uzunova – synthesizers, glockenspiel
 * Evgeni Chakalov - flutes, tambura
 * Alexey Cvetanov - wavedrum, percussion
 * Alexandra Shkodrova – gadulka

Guest musicians
 * Pavel Terziiski – vocals
 * Vlado Chivlidjanov – duduk, bagpipe
 * Kalin Yordanov – vocals, daf, bender, darbouka
 * Shtoni Kokudev – bagpipe, tupan