Tarta Relena, duo catalan aux chants ensorcelants, ce soir à la Fiesta des Suds

The Mediterranean port city of Marseille is hosting a notable event in its annual Fiesta des Suds festival, where the Catalan vocal duo Tarta Relena is set to perform. Emerging from Barcelona, Helena Ros Redon and Marta Torrella have crafted a distinctive musical identity that blends traditional folk elements with contemporary experimental techniques. Their presence at this festival highlights a growing interest in neo-folk styles that fuse ancient traditions with modern soundscapes.

Tarta Relena’s artistry is rooted in a lifelong friendship, which began in early childhood when they first met at six years old. Their musical journey evolved from early classical training—Ros Redon on cello and Torrella on clarinet—to a deep exploration of vocal harmonization within a Barcelona choir during their teenage years. This collaborative foundation informs their current work, characterized by intricate vocal interplay and a broad linguistic palette.

Their repertoire is notably multilingual, incorporating Spanish, Catalan, Greek, Bulgarian, and even Latin. This linguistic diversity is supported by their academic backgrounds, with one pursuing musicology and the other linguistics, enriching their understanding of both music and language. They draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including the baroque and Renaissance periods, with particular admiration for composers from the Franco-Flemish school such as Josquin des Prés.

While rooted in historical and folk traditions, Tarta Relena embraces modernity through the integration of electronic elements. Their use of loops, samples, and vocal manipulation not only helps them engage audiences more effectively but also expands the sonic possibilities of their duo format. This innovative approach allows them to reinterpret traditional songs as well as compose original material from unconventional prompts like internet-found poetry or phonetic experimentation.

One of their most conceptually ambitious works is "Galenismós," a piece sonifying climate data from the Mediterranean Sea, transforming rising water temperatures into ascending musical tones. This composition reflects both their experimental ethos and a commitment to environmental awareness, adding a contemporary resonance to their otherwise timeless aesthetic.

The duo’s sound is often described as minimalistic and hypnotic, with a meditative quality that evokes a sense of ancient memory and sacred ritual. Their music resists easy categorization, positioned between folk revivalism and avant-garde expression. They cite the Icelandic artist Björk as a major influence, not only for her musical innovation but also for her fearless artistic attitude.

After an unfortunate cancellation of the festival’s opening night due to strong mistral winds, the atmosphere at Fiesta des Suds is poised to be revitalized by Tarta Relena’s performance. Positioned alongside other folk innovators like the Occitan singer Cocanha, they represent a vibrant wave of female-led vocal ensembles redefining contemporary folk music in the Mediterranean region.

As they prepare to enchant the audience at Marseille’s J4 esplanade, Tarta Relena’s music promises an immersive experience that bridges centuries of cultural heritage with the immediacy of modern sound experimentation. Their unique blend of languages, historical references, and sonic innovation assures their place among the most compelling voices in today’s folk landscape.

Details about their upcoming releases remain limited, but their live performances continue to draw critical attention for their emotional depth and creative daring. In the context of a festival seeking to revive and reinterpret southern musical traditions, Tarta Relena stands out for their ability to channel the past while looking firmly toward the future.