Made in Belgium: Laïs
Belgium has a vibrant folk scene and one of the top acts is Laïs. These 3 hip young women are known for their polyphonic harmonious (a-capella) singing, often based on medieval international texts. Discovered by the folk group Kadril they got a first big career opportunity at the folk festival of Dranouter in 1996 and their passage their didn't go unnoticed in the folk scene. Their first CD in 1998 was a European success right away . New concerts at Dranouter followed, but also Rock Werchter, concerts abroad (eg supporting act for Sting in France in 99).
One of their first singles " 't Smidje" about a blacksmith and his unhappy marriage has become a well-known folk dance in Flanders even for non-folk lovers. It always amazes me to hear this being played at a normal party ...and to see all these teenagers lining up and starting to dance.
In the winter of 2008 the Belgian press all of a sudden discovered that there was a remarkable number of you-tube movies from Poland where you can see Polish kids dancing to ...indeed " 't Smidje" by Laïs. Nobody is exactly sure how they have become a hype in Poland but it's probably due to the many exchanges by Flemish youth organisations & Polish youth organisations. Quite funny!
Smidje - 1998
Smidje dance here in Belgium and examples from Poland here , here, here, here, here, ....
Dorothea - 2000
Le renard et la belette - 2002
This is a famous folk song from Bretany famous in France in the version of Tri Yann or in the version by Manau which I really really love! Quite different from Laïs. I love listening to the 2 versions after one another.
Kalima Kadara (end titles of Flikken in season 7)
One of their first singles " 't Smidje" about a blacksmith and his unhappy marriage has become a well-known folk dance in Flanders even for non-folk lovers. It always amazes me to hear this being played at a normal party ...and to see all these teenagers lining up and starting to dance.
In the winter of 2008 the Belgian press all of a sudden discovered that there was a remarkable number of you-tube movies from Poland where you can see Polish kids dancing to ...indeed " 't Smidje" by Laïs. Nobody is exactly sure how they have become a hype in Poland but it's probably due to the many exchanges by Flemish youth organisations & Polish youth organisations. Quite funny!
Smidje - 1998
Smidje dance here in Belgium and examples from Poland here , here, here, here, here, ....
Dorothea - 2000
Le renard et la belette - 2002
This is a famous folk song from Bretany famous in France in the version of Tri Yann or in the version by Manau which I really really love! Quite different from Laïs. I love listening to the 2 versions after one another.
Kalima Kadara (end titles of Flikken in season 7)
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