The ethno (world music) group “Trag” is a vocal-instrumental band which preserves traditional music of the Balkans. The repertoire consists of songs from Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bulgaria. The TRAG was founded in 2003 as a part of Cultural-artistic association “Slavko Madic” from Laktasi. The group has ten members: four female singers and six instrumentalists. The emphasis is on traditional instruments (pipes, bagpipes, percussion instruments), but you will also find classical instruments (acoustic guitar and violin) as well as modern ones (electrical – keyboards and bass guitar).

The group members were gathered by their love towards national tradition. In order to save original music from oblivion and to bring closer traditional rhythm and music to modern audience they interwove their own arrangements. In this way they expressed their personal feelings as well as the spirit of the time.

As a part of national tradition, these songs have been carried over from generation to generation and lived in people. At the same time every generation and every individual have given their own contribution enriching them and preserving their beauty and liveliness forever. Following the footsteps of the national tradition, the group “Trag” has given its own expression to the songs and the spirit of the time reviving and leaving them essentially unchangeable and always national with the future generations as a pledge. Presently they are working on new arrangements and hoping to present their work to wider audience and have their own concerts at the European and international festivals.

After releasing their debut album “Zvuci Balkana” (Balkan sounds) in May 2008, they had many promotional concerts in Kozarska Dubica, Prnjavor, Banjaluka, Belgrade, Herceg Novi and Trebinje. There are 15 songs on this album originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Special place at the album takes music from Lijevce polje, less familiar to the audience, because the folk music of this region was explored and recorded only since year 2007. The ethno group “Trag” has concerts regularly in the country as well as abroad. In the last year only the group held around 40 concerts and won many awards and prizes. So far the group has had numerous concerts and tours, of which are some held in following cities:

Republic of Srpska: Banjaluka, Prijedor, Trebinje, Šekovići, Teslić, Laktaši, Bijeljina, Prnjavor, Kozarska Dubica, Doboj, Zvornik, Ugljevik, Pale, Foca, Višegrad, Jahorina, Kotor Varoš, Mrkonjć Grad, Pelagićevo etc.

BiH: Mostar, Sarajevo, Glamoč, Konjic, Čapljina, Tuzla etc.

Montenegro: Herceg Novi, Nikšić, Tivat

Serbia: a few concerts in Belgrade (capital), “Tara” mountain concert, festival “Kustendorf” Mokra Gora, Crvenka, Kula, Bačka Palanka

Germany: Munich

Russia: a few concerts in Moscow (capital), Saint Petersburg, Slavyansk na Kubani

Netherlands: Rotterdam, Nijmegen, Zaandam

Together with folklore ensemble they have participated in many international festivals in France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, etc.

Vocals:

Valentina Milekic (group leader)
Vesna Milekic
Tanja Danojevic
Jovana Kisin

Instrumentalists:

Jelena Skrbic – violin
Dragan Grahovac – bass guitar, accordion
Mladen Jankovic – keyboards
Boban Adzic – acoustic guitar
Zoran Vujic – percussion (tapan, tarabuka)
Goran Pivasevic – pipes, bagpipes, kaval, vocal