AFION

Afion biography


AFION is a group that was strongly inclining towards Macedonian community in Zagreb.
It started in 2003 when Lidija Dokuzovic (vocalist), Danijel Maodus (guitars, vocals) and Nenad Kovacic (percussions) met the conductor of community's choir and orchestra, Stefko Kacurov (which played tambura in the band). They started doing traditional Macedonian songs in simple arrangements, which eventually evolved as the collective grew: soon Tanja (on vocals) joined, as well as Safko Alimovski (kaval, traditional flute-like instrument) and Ana Krolo (vocals). Kacurov and Alimovski eventually had left the band because of family reasons, AFION becoming a band that nurtures Macedonian folk without Macedonian members within. Later, Dario (upright bass) joined, to be replaced with Josip Mazic, and Marijela replaced Ana Krolo on vocals.

The band had released two albums: 'Afion' in 2006 and 'Cudni Svati' in 2008. The band expanded their sound, embracing various aspects of Croatian, Bosnian, even Armenian folk music.

Their musical palette varies from a traditional aspects of folk and folk-rock through the umbrella term often tagged as 'world music' nowadays, all the way to the hints of jazz and fusion. The bandmembers themselves dislike the 'world music' tag, and in fact any categorization, and deservedly so; their musical arrangements are varying from simplistic ones to more elaborate layers and rhythms, being a compelling and rewarding unit for a listener.



The band is not to be confused with another AFION which is an alias of Branislav Nastoski, a Macedonian artist that combines Macedonian folk, fusion and electronic music.




Moris Mateljan, 2009. (info gathered from labin.net, last.fm and the band's website)