Merope + support

RIYL: Stroom, Laraaji, folk, blends traditional Lithuanian folk music with contemporary elements, Bill Frisell, Nick Drake, Efterklang, Juana Molina, choral music, Jon Hassell.

Merope draws deeply from Lithuania's folk heritage, blending it with influences from around the world to create an ethereal and intimate soundscape. At the heart of their music is Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė’s kanklės (a traditional Lithuanian string instrument) and voice, layered with Belgian musician Bert Cools' experimental guitar work and electronics. Together, they reinterpret Baltic music with a contemporary vision, weaving elements of jazz, ambient, minimalism, and kosmische into their unique compositions.

Their fifth album, Vėjula (released on Stroom), represents a musical rebirth for the duo, expanding their sonic world through collaborations with artists like Shahzad Ismaily, Laraaji, and Bill Frisell. Rooted in Lithuanian folk forms, Vėjula ventures into new musical landscapes, bridging ancient melodies with modern sensibilities and technologies. This experimental approach results in a record that feels timeless yet grounded in the present, capturing a sense of spontaneity and playfulness that permeates each track.

Merope’s previous work has garnered high praise: The Wire described their music as, “glowing, ethereal… swirling with emotional heft,” while HHV mag called it, “friendly, humble, but undoubtedly visionary.” Boomkat lauded their album Salos as, “an effortlessly enchanting listen,” and Songlines found it, “as delicate as it is deep; something very special indeed.”

Through each release, Merope crafts a sound that is gentle and expansive, evoking the unhurried rhythms of nature. In Vėjula, they continue this journey, balancing tradition and experimentation to create music that feels both personal and universal—a tender homage to their Lithuanian roots, yet open to the world's sounds and ideas. Their compositions are an invitation to explore an intercultural landscape where folk meets the avant-garde. https://www.instagram.com/meropemusic/ https://meropemusic.com/

Support: TBA