EYOT

The album name is 557799, after the composition number 7, which is about the rhythm pattern throughout it. 

5/8 5/8, 7/8 7/8, 9/8 9/8 it goes. 

Those 3 odd rhythms are the basics of the Balkans’ traditional music, but for us, there’s more to that than just the number- it’s the epitome of life and history which has always been turbulent in this part of the world. That’s our Heartbeat. Odd is an odd way full of life and emotion.

Dodola (also spelled Doda, Dudulya and Didilya, pronounced: doh-doh-la, doo-doo-lya, or dee-dee-lya) is a pagan tradition found in the Balkans. A girl, wearing a skirt made of knitted,fresh green vines and small branches, is singing and dancing through the village, stopping at every house, where the hosts sprinkle her with water. She is accompanied by villagers who are dancing and shoutingto the music. 

In some kind of Rite, Dodolahas summoned the Rain.

Linen is dedicated to the most famous Serbian composer StevanMokranjac- a fragment of his 9th Garland’s “Biljana platnobeleše” (Biljana was washing the linen) is used in the theme. Also, the foundation of harmony here lies upon Mokranjac’s opus. 

Half of this album was created from old ideas, mixed with new solutions-or, inspired by many musical styles, formed into the specific EYOT sound.

But this time I was particularly inspired by John Williams, Bruckner, Patrick Doyle, and Mokranjac, and also “The Soul Cages” album by Sting.

-Dejan Ilijic

557799

Release Date: October 23, 2020

“This is just simply quite stunning” // Mike Chadwick - SoulandJazz.com

“Electro jazz rock fusion – you name it they play it – full of energy and invention – a top class act” // Tim Dickeson, Jazzwise

“A future-minded, exciting collision of various genres creating happening music” // Gilles Quinnell / PIAS Harmonia Mundi World Village

With more than a 300 concerts in 25 countries around the world, and great reception from both critics and the audience, EYOT stands out as one of the most interesting bands coming out from Europe in the last decade. Free of genres, EYOT brings a beautiful eclectic sound that swims from rock to jazz, punk and ambient, impressionism to romanticism, all formed into strong compositions. Their live performances are filled with energy and emotions that bring the listener deep into their personal world and create a unique experience.

“It's every serious group's desire to craft an identifiable, and as far as possible, a unique sound whereby just a few notes leave little doubt about who's playing. Serbian quartet Eyot achieved that with its splendid debut, Horizon (Ninety and Nine Records,2011), where minimalism and power went hand-in-hand in an intoxicating mix of jazz, art-rock, classical and Balkan folk melodies. Drifters largely follows the same blueprint, though there is perhaps greater density in the group's sound (…) It doesn't take too great a leap of imagination to see the power of Eyot in concert. That fact Eyot has played jazz, punk and rock festivals, as well as in Cultural Centers, says something about the special chemistry of the diverse musical elements that makes Drifters such a rewarding experience and a fine follow-up to its debut. A band to watch out for // Ian Paterson @ allaboutjazz.com

“Eyot's music has a flow, a forward motion, that suggests the band is constantly attempting to extend its musical horizon. It's a feeling that was already present on Eyot's debut release, called Horizon (Ninety And Nine Records, 2011), but the fuller sound to be found on Similarity accentuates it and gives it added urgency. These are exciting times for Eyot” // Bruce Lindsay @ allaboutjazz.com

“The proud representative of a new generation of European musicians, this Serbian quartet breaks all temporal, geographical and cultural boundaries of Balkan Jazz, explosively blending classical music, art-rock and traditional melodies. In its quest for new creative sound combinations, Eyot restlessly explores the limits between tradition and innovation and leads European Jazz off the beaten track. Known as the Nirvana of Jazz, the four musicians light up the stage with outstandingly fresh and electrifying sounds. The quartet brings to life a music of unique creativity which strikes a pleasant balance between simplicity and sophistication, and is both coarse yet delicate” // Cully Jazz Festival