” Energetic wilderness” – Songlines Magazine

“Polky musically incorporates the love of all their homes’ traditional music into their own luminous original sound.” – The Whole Note Magazine

Immerse yourself in POLKY’s timeless melodies! Discover the unique Suka Instrument and Modern Renditions of Polish traditional music with a captivating twist, unveiling in North America!

Polky’s first US tour will enchant audiences across various cities in the Northeast region of the US. With their unique sound and infectious energy, Polky promises to captivate audiences, transporting them on a musical journey through the rich heritage of Polish folk music.

Toronto’s Polky, led by multi-talented immigrant female musicians, delights audiences with Eastern European-style traditional vocals, unusual instruments, and energizing performances. Drawing deep inspiration from Poland’s rich cultural tapestry, they push musical boundaries by fearlessly blending Polish traditional music with sounds and rhythms from across the globe.

Polky stands out for its distinctive elements, including the mesmerizing Eastern European-style traditional vocals and incorporating the ‘suka,’ an ancient lap fiddle reconstructed from historical paintings. Lead singer Ewelina Ferenc earned the prestigious Traditional Singer of The Year title at the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Marta Solek is an accomplished suka virtuoso who has performed alongside esteemed Polish artists like Same Suki, Maria Pomianowska, and Nikola Kołodziejczyk.

Through their performances, Polky introduces Polish culture to North American audiences, embodying the role of cultural ambassadors for Polish modern traditions.

With their infectious charm, captivating performances, and unyielding passion for exploration, Polky is undoubtedly a band that stands apart. Their music is not just a sonic experience but a celebration of cultural diversity, women empowerment, an invitation to revel in the joy of life, and a reminder that, deep down, we are all connected by the power of music.

Over the past two summers, Canadian Folk Music Award winner (2022), Toronto’s women-led Polish folk ensemble Polky has grown its Canadian touring radius, performing at eleven summer festivals across the country, ranging from Vancouver Island MusicFest (2023) and Regina Folk Festival (2023) to Sunfest (2022) and Stan Rogers Folk Festival (2022) while being recognized as official showcasing artists at Folk Music Ontario, Folk Alliance International, APAP, Your Roots Are Showing and Mundial Montreal, effectively promoting Polish and Eastern European folk traditions. Their EP, titled “Immigration” (2018), drew inspiration from various sources, such as Polish traditional music hailing from the Mazovia region and Polish mountains and themes of immigration to Canada. Interestingly, even Led Zeppelin played a role in their creative influences. Their debut album, “Songs From Home” (2020), received praise from Songlines Magazine for its captivatingly dynamic essence. It encapsulates the spirit of the multicultural city of Toronto and reflects the band’s deep-rooted Polish heritage. Notably, this album’s excellence led to its nomination in three categories at the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2022, ultimately clinching the Traditional Singer of The Year Award for the talented Ewelina Ferenc.

POLKY

Ewelina Ferenc – lead vocal, percussion

Marta Sołek – Polish knee fiddles

Ekaterina Pyatkova – vocals

Peter Klaassen – upright bass

Sam Clark – fiddle

Max Senitt – percussion

Lead image by Daria Perev