Duo Ruut

We are delighted to welcome our first Estonian act to our festival.

Duo Ruut's (Duo Square) sound is based on the common ground that two young Estonian musicians and songwriters, Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi have explored since coming together in 2017.

Their sound ties together a single Estonian zither and two distinct voices. Inspired by the traditions of their Estonian heritage, they draw influence from both the beliefs of different cultures and their own contemporary and emotive songwriting. As they are composing on one instrument Duo Ruut's music is minimalist at its core but packed with new and imaginative ideas.

In December 2019 Duo Ruut released their debut album "Tuule sõnad” which was awarded as the Debut Album of the Year by Estonian Ethno Music Awards 2020. The same album was nominated in different categories at Estonian Music Awards 2021. Last summer Duo Ruut released an EP called “Kulla kerguseks” (“Golden Light”) which has received strong organic support internationally. The EP was nominated for the “Ethno/Folk Album of the Year” by Estonian Music Awards 2022.

 During a short period of time Duo Ruut have already toured in Europe, Uzbekistan and Japan (Celtic Connections, Womex, Tallinn Music Week, Sharq Taronalari, Jazzkaar etc). In 2022 they have performed in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Portugal, Sweden, Lithuania and Finland. The year will end with 6 shows at Transmusicales in France and 2023 will start off with Eurosonic Noorderslag. Their music has been supported by international media such as MOJO, The Arts Desk, Louder than War, Full Moon, Songlines,  National Public Broadcasting Italy (NO RAI), BBC3, Sine FM, Folk Radio UK, RTBF Belgia, Estonian Public Broadcasting, NTS Radio etc. 

Duo Ruut has collaborated with beloved artists, such as Curly Strings or NOËP. Remix of the song “Tuule sõnad” by NOËP was awarded as the Remix of the Year by Radio 2.

"Kulla Kerguseks" is an unobtrusive recording, light, clean, fragile. But at the same time, it's charming and emotional. The concert by Duo Ruut from Estonia was one of the most magical things this year's Color Festival in Polička offered" - musicserver.cz

"Local twosome Duo Ruut, who double up on a single zither – it’s used as a drumkit as well as a stringed instrument – to create a band-sized sound with high-keening, folk-style harmony singing, to stirring effect" - MOJO, Ian Harrison

"A duo that share one instrument. A kannel is an indigenous variation of the zither, a miraculous machine that can be simultaneously harmonic, melodic and percussive, especially in the hands of this twosome, whose four hands still each appear to multitask" - Under the Radar

“At first it seems very minimal, but then it becomes transfixing. They have ethereal voices and slowly draw you into the world. There was a real buzz among the delegates afterwards” - Songlines at Tallinn Music Week, Simon Broughton