Alfapop ( sr-cyr, Алфапоп,
transliteration
Transliteration is a type of conversion of a text from one writing system, script to another that involves swapping Letter (alphabet), letters (thus ''wikt:trans-#Prefix, trans-'' + ''wikt:littera#Latin, liter-'') in predictable ways, such as ...
for: ''Alphapop'') was a
Serbia
Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...
n
power pop
Power pop (also typeset as powerpop) is a form of pop rock based on the early music of bands such as the Who, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Byrds. It typically incorporates melodic hooks, vocal harmonies, an energetic performance, and ch ...
band. The band was formed in
Belgrade
Belgrade ( , ;, ; Names of European cities in different languages: B, names in other languages) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city in Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers a ...
in 2000 under the name Tir na n'Og. Initially, the band performed
Irish folk
Irish traditional music (also known as Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland.
In ''A History of Irish Music'' (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Ireland, there w ...
and
Celtic rock
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock, as well as a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context. It has been extremely prolific since the early 1970s and can be seen as a key foundat ...
and was a prominent act of the Serbian Celtic rock scene, releasing
one Celtic rock-oriented album. In 2008, the band changed the name to Alfapop and turned towards power pop sound, releasing their second album in 2010 and disbanding soon after the album release.
Band history
Tir na n'Og (2000–2008)
The band was formed in 2000 by a group of Irish music enthusiasts and was named Tir na n'Og after
Tír na nÓg
In Irish mythology Tír na nÓg (; "Land of the Young") or Tír na hÓige ("Land of Youth") is one of the names for the Celtic Otherworld, or perhaps for a part of it. Tír na nÓg is best known from the tale of Oisín and Niamh.
Other Old Iri ...
, the land of eternal youth in
Irish mythology
Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by C ...
.
Studentski Kulturni Centar
Studentski Kulturni Centar ( en, Student's Cultural Center; abbr. SKC) is a cultural center in Belgrade, Serbia.
History
The center opened in 1971 in the building of the former Officers' Club, that had up to that point been used by the State Sec ...
Čikine bombone, Zbogom Bruce Lee & Tir Na N'Og
At first mostly playing Irish folk and songs by
The Pogues
The Pogues were an English or Anglo-Irish Celtic punk band fronted by Shane MacGowan and others, founded in Kings Cross, London in 1982, as "Pogue Mahone" – the anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic ''póg mo thóin'', meaning "kiss my arse". T ...
and Young Dubliners, they gained audience's attention.
[ Having changed a number of members the band got a stable lineup featuring Jovana Vujnović (]vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
), Jovan Dragumilo (guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
and vocals), Miroslav Kočić (violin
The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...
), Damir Žigić (drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
) and Ranko Radovanov (bass guitar
The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...
).
The band started recording their debut self-titled album in the autumn of 2005. The album was released in 2006 through One Records. The album featured songs both in English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and Serbian language
Serbian (, ) is the standardized variety of the Serbo-Croatian language mainly used by Serbs. It is the official and national language of Serbia, one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina and co-official in Montenegro and Kos ...
, with elements of punk rock and both Irish
Irish may refer to:
Common meanings
* Someone or something of, from, or related to:
** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe
***Éire, Irish language name for the isle
** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...
and Serbian folk music
Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...
. Three promotional videos were recorded, for the tracks "Brodovi", "Danny Boy
"Danny Boy" is a ballad, written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly in 1913, and set to the traditional Irish melody of "Londonderry Air".
History
In 1910, in Bath, Somerset, the English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly initial ...
" and "River".
Alfapop (2008–2011)
In 2008, the band, now consisting of Vujnović, Dragumilo and Radovanov only, changed the name to Alfapop and turned towards power pop, continuing, however, to perform songs they recorded as Tir na n'Og.[Interview with Alfapop at nadlanu.com](_blank)
/ref> In 2008, the band took part in the action entitled "Zdrav život - moj stil" ("Healthy Life - My Style") initiated by the Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sports, performing with other bands across Serbia. In 2010, the band released the album ''Alfapop'' through Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...
n record label AMAdea Records. The album featured nine songs in Serbian language, and the electronic music
Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroac ...
song "Fantasy", recorded by Vujnović, as the bonus track. Promotional videos were recorded for the songs "Sati" ("Hours") and "Hoću još" ("I Want More"). The song "Kao prvi put" ("Like the First Time") is a duet recorded with Lazar Drecun, vocalist of the band Charlie B.
Soon after ''Alfapop'' release, Dragumilo stated that the band is planning to record a live album. However, although Alfapop never officially announced their disbandment, nothing was heard from them since 2011.Alfapop official Facebook page
/ref>
Discography
as Tir na n'Og
*'' Tir na n'Og'' (2006)
as Alfapop
*''Alfapop'' (2010)
References
External links
Tir na n'Og at Discogs
See also
*Orthodox Celts
Orthodox Celts is a Serbian band formed in Belgrade in 1992 which plays Irish folk music combined with rock elements. Despite their uncharacteristic genre in their home country, the band is one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene and has ...
*Irish Stew of Sindidun
Irish Stew of Sindidun (often referred to as Irish Stew only) is a Serbian Celtic rock band from Belgrade. While initially playing Irish folk music, the band later made a shift towards light punk rock, inspired by Irish folk music and other genres ...
Serbian rock music groups
Serbian power pop groups
Celtic music groups
Celtic rock groups
Musical groups from Belgrade
Musical groups established in 2000
Musical groups disestablished in 2011