Duo Ruut

January 11, 2023 1:42 PM

Duo Ruut are an Estonian duo who sing haunting melodies and rhythms together while playing a single Estonian zither between themselves--a traditional instrument played in a non-traditional way. Check out their songs Tuule sõnad and Nightingale.

The pair have played extensively in Europe since forming in 2017 and especially after the release of their debut album Tuule sõnad, awarded Debut Album of the Year by Estonian Ethno Music Awards 2020.

A few more songs from their YouTube:
Tantsma kutsumine
Noore kuu tervitamine
Kost laaluq saaduq
Liisa pehmes süles (latest single)

Here are a couple recent live performances from European festivals and concerts:
Eurosonic Noorderslag 2022 (at 2:56 the speak in English about their music and instrument)
Trans Musicales 2022
WOMEX 22
Hide & Seek Festival 2022
at Alexela Concert Hall as a guest of José González
at Georg Otsa nimeline Tallinna Muusikakool in 2021

And just for fun, here's a remix of Tuule Sõnad by NOËP, which won Estonia's Raadio 2 Remix of the Year in 2022

You can buy CDs directly from the band, and their music is also on Spotify.

posted by msbrauer (15 comments total)

Speaking as a listener:
Singing while facing your partner is magical!

Thanks for sharing!
posted by Acari at 1:55 PM on January 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

Ran across this band after just missing a live performance at last year's Station Narva festival and have been sharing their music with everyone I talk to.

I forgot to link to their instagram, where they just posted about recently recording a Live at KEXP session. Looks like it might be released on Jan. 17.
posted by msbrauer at 2:10 PM on January 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

Viva Estonian music! This summer I saw Puuluup (Here's one of their videos) playing the talharpa with tape looping.
posted by Lookinguppy at 2:29 PM on January 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

Huh, this is fantastic.
posted by meese at 2:36 PM on January 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

Thanks for this! Really enjoying their stuff.

I somehow missed coming across them when I went down this Puuluup rabbit hole about a year ago.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:53 PM on January 11, 2023

I really like this, thanks!
posted by mollweide at 4:01 PM on January 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

This is very lovely. Thanks for bringing it here.
posted by Thella at 4:03 PM on January 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

They're quite astounding. I think I have discovered a new listening obsession. Thanks for posting
posted by Probabilitics at 4:23 PM on January 11, 2023

This summer I saw Puuluup

I'm jealous! Discovered them after Duo Ruut and love what I've heard so far.
posted by msbrauer at 7:08 PM on January 11, 2023

Wow, awesome. This is entering rotation!
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:55 PM on January 11, 2023

Another MeFiite in eesti, i love to see it!

here's some recent local favorites:
Mart Avi , contemporary pop crooner
Siemens Nokia, contemporary trip hop
Kannabinõid, ruthless stoner-doom metal

and a couple throwback albums:
Eesti synth pioneer Sven Grünberg
70's psych rock collective Collage
posted by cryber at 6:02 AM on January 12, 2023 [5 favorites]

Thank you so much, love their music.
posted by andreinla at 9:07 PM on January 12, 2023

This is so lovely, exactly what I want to hear tonight! I'm just auto-playing through all of their videos right now and loving all of them. I really want to explore more gems of music like this, especially internationally. Looking forward to more FPPs from you, OP!
posted by yueliang at 3:19 AM on January 13, 2023

Tõre!

If we're posting our favourite Estonian songs, I'll chuck in:

Vihma Loits by Greip
Siidisulis linnukene or indeed anything by Maarja Nuut
Tuhat tänu by the Johansonid, if only because my Estonian teacher back in Tartu in the 90s made us sing it in class even though we were all too embarrassed to do more than mumble, and it brings back fond memories. If nothing else it definitely taught me the word 'sipelgas' (= ant).
posted by penguin pie at 8:07 AM on January 14, 2023 [3 favorites]

Here's Duo Ruut's Live at KEXP recording from Trans Musicales 2022.
posted by msbrauer at 6:22 AM on January 18, 2023 [1 favorite]