Vołosi are a gutsy Polish folk-classical string band who met at a wedding. When classical violinist Krzysztof Lasoń got married, he invited three traditional musicians from the Silesian Beskids mountains to play at the party. He liked what he heard, as did his brother Stanislaw, a classically trained cellist who had “always dreamed of improvisation and loved folklore”. Together, the five very different players have developed a fusion style in which two violins, viola and cello are matched against double bass and occasional pipes. Their all-instrumental compositions switch between rousing anthems underpinned by rhythmic plucked strings and bass, rapid-fire improvisation and traditional Carpathian influences. To this they add wailing effects that would be ideal for a horror film. At their best, as on Baja or Galop, they are an exuberant, original band, but I suspect they are even more exciting playing live. They will be at Womad in the summer.
