Maritime folk

Sąsiedzi (the Neighbours)

Zmień język:

Fot. Basia Wójcik

Polish group, passioned maritime folk and regional Silesian folklore. Singing shanties a'cappella and playing Irish, Cape Bretone, American folk on acoustic instruments. First from Poland at legendary Sea Music Festival in Mystic Seaport.

SASIEDZI (the Neighbours) were formed in 2001 in Gliwice (Silesia Region, south of Poland). The name of the band originates from the pub where we first played music together. Initially, They performed mostly folk and sea shanties, which they sing a‘cappella in Polish, English, French. Sasiedzi also use traditional instruments like: violin/fiddle, guitar, mandolin, fluets, bodhran, bones, concertina. Additionally, group incorporate music from other cultures in their repertoire, including traditional tunes from Cape Breton, Ireland and America, as well as their own Silesian folklore and also some early music compositions. Set list includes their own original compositions too. The combination of musicians in SASIEDZI give the band its own unique sound and style. Magnetism of the group lies in intricate harmonies orchestrate with richly acoustic instrumentation.

SĄSIEDZI are:

Dominika Płonka - flutes, vocal (mezzo-soprano)
Ela Król - violin, vocal (alto)
Jakub Owczarek - bodhran, vocal (baritone)
Dawid Patalong - guitar, vocal (baritone)
Kamil Piotrowski - mandolin, guitar, vocal (tenor)
Mirek Walczak - fiddle, bodhran, vocal (baritone)
Marek Wikliński - concertina, bones, jew’s harp, bodhran, vocal (bass)

Concerts:

SASIEDZI have performed over 500 concerts in Poland and abroad (France, Norway, Netherland, Germany, Czech Republik, USA, Canada). In 2013 palyed at 34th Sea Music Festival in legendary Mystic Seaport in USA as a first group from Poland in the festival history. The stages They’ve played have ranged from folk and shanties festivals, taverns, open air concerts for large crowds to small club venues and corporate functions. Group appeared many times on Polish TV and Radio (we’ve appeared on Radio Libertaire in Paris, Radio Country in Prague, Radio Rytm in New York and Polish Radio in Chicago too) shows devoted to maritime and folk music. They have been invited onstage by renowned international folk artists such as: Johnny Collins and Jim Mageean (UK), Pat Sheridan (Ireland), Geoff Kaufman, Simon Spalding (USA). They also did folk project with French group Les Dieses (in Airvault, 2012).

Recommendations:

Pat Sheridan Press Gang/Warp Four (Ireland)

I was very impressed and really loved the authentic traditional delivery of such shanties as, „Roll Boys Roll“ and „Flukey Alley“. You have great versatility in sound with the ability for both a cappella and musical accompaniment which provides good entertainment value for your audiences. I look forward to seeing and hearing you again and maybe joining you for a few shanties next time. Keep up the good work.

Simon Spalding folk musician, composer (USA)

Sasiedzi sing in strong, wonderfully blended harmonies in the best Polish shanty-group tradition; they also feature virtuosic instrumental skills. I invited Sasiedzi to do a set with me onstage in Szczecin (Poland), and they performed magnificently, with only a few minutes for rehearsal. This is remarkable not only because we had never performed together before, but because some of them had never heard my songs before! I recommend Sasiedzi without any reservations. I think they are one of the most exciting new groups to come out of the Polish shanty/folk music scene.

Discography:

2021 – „Here's A Health” /Stream/
2020 – "W kieszeni dolar" ("Dollar in a Pocket") /LP/
2018 – "W kieszeni dolar" ("Dollar in a Pocket")
2011 – "Sąsiedzi | Folk & szanty | 2001-2011" /EP/
2008 – "Broceliande"
2005 – "Wrócić do Derry" ("Back in Derry")

Compilations:

2019 - "Festival du Chant de Marin - Paimpol"

2011, 2010, 2009 - "Bie Daip - Appingedam"

2012, 2009 - "Sail Szczecin in Polish National Radio"

2007 - "The Polish Smooth, Jazz & Folk Music" (3 CD - Polonia Records)

2006 - "Zobaczyć Morze" (3 CD);

2006, 2004 - "Szanty z Sercem" - CD

International Festivals we visited:

Bie Daip Festival - Appingedam (Holland, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009), International Shantyfestival - Langesund (Norway, 2014, 2011), Festival Le Goût du Larg - Port an Bessin (France, 2013), Sea Music Festival - Mystic Seaport (USA, 2013), SeaBreeze Festival - Rostock (Germany, 2012), Svatohorská šalmaj - Příbram (Czech Rep 2017, 2012, 2010, 2009), Festival des Traversées Tatihou - Saint Vast (France, 2012), Festival Musiques et Danses Du Monde - Airvault (France, 2012), Festival de Chants de Marins - Paimpol (France, 2019, 2015, 2011), Vegesack Festival Maritim - Bremmen (Germany, 2016, 2011), The Tall Ship's Celebration - Bay City (USA, 2019, 2010), Balfolk - Château-Thierry (France, 2009)

Awards:

In the second month of band’s existence we were awarded the Grand Prix at two of the biggest maritime festivals in Silesia. During the next three years we also won the Grand Prix at all of the most important sea songs and shanties festivals in Poland, including: