Gjurmët

Gjurmët (English: The Traces) was an Albanian former new wave group from Pristina. The band lasted from 1980 until 1986 and was composed of five members, including the vocalist Migjen Kelmendi, now a journalist and publicist.

Gjurmët
Gjurmët in 1985
Background information
OriginPristina, Kosovo
GenresNew wave, post-punk, synthpop, folk rock, pop rock
Years active1980 – 1986
LabelsRTP
Websitewww.gjurmet.info
Past membersArmando Gjini
Bekim Dyla
Migjen Kelmendi
Petrit Riza
Tomor Kurshumliu

History

1980 – 1986

The band was formed in 1980 by Migjen Kelmendi (vocals, rhythm guitar), the son of the writer and journalist Ramiz Kelmendi,[1] inspired by new wave music.[2] The lineup also included Armando Gjini (piano, synthesizer), Tomor Kurshumliu (vocals, bass guitar), Gazmend Hasbahta (lead guitar), Petrit Riza (drums) and Bekim Dyla (lead guitar).[3] During the same year, the band recorded their first song, being the first new wave song in SAP Kosovo.[4]

In 1984, the band recorded the material for their debut album, which was released the following year.[5] The reason for the delay was the controversial album cover, which featured dancers performing the traditional Albanian "eagle dance", making the shape of a double-headed eagle with their posture.[5] Eventually, the album was released by Radio Television of Pristina, on compact cassette only, and featured the band's photo on the front cover; in the image, Kelmendi is looking at his wrist watch as a comment on the release delay.[5] The album featured a combination of new wave, post-punk and folk music.[6]

The following year, in 1986, the band disbanded.[7]

Post-breakup

Kelmendi became a journalist and was head of editing for the program Contacto on Radio Television of Pristina (1988-1990), executive producer of Victoria Television of New York (1996) and of the Programme Albanian Satellite (1997-1999), and director of television of Radio Television of Kosovo (2000-2001).[8] He was also the founder of the weekly magazine Epoca (1991) and of the literary magazine MM (1996), and is currently editor of the weekly newspaper Java, which he founded in 2001.[8] He has written four books, including To Change The World: A Short History of The Traces, about his musical career.[8]

In 2002, a compilation album LP, featuring a collection of material the band had recorded in the course of the 1980s, was released.[3]

2015 reunion

The band reunited in 2015 to perform a concert in Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania, on December 29.[9] The concert featured several guest singers from Albania and Kosovo.

Members
  • Migjen Kelmendi – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Armando Gjini – piano, synthesizer
  • Tomor Kurshumliu – vocals, bass guitar
  • Gazmend Hasbahta - lead guitar
  • Petrit Riza – drums
  • Bekim Dyla – lead guitar

Discography

Studio albums
  • Gjurmët (1985)

Compilation albums
  • LP (2002)

See also

References
  1. Hudelist, Darko. Kosovo - Bitka bez iluzija (in Croatian) (Biblioteka "Dnevnik" ed.). University of Michigan: Centar za informacije i publicitet, 1989. p. 112. ISBN 9788671250290.
  2. http://www.esiweb.org/index.php?lang=en&id=280&portrait_ID=7"
  3. "Gjurmët - LP (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
  4. Hudelist, Darko, Kosovo - Bitka bez iluzija, page 120
  5. Hudelist, Darko, Kosovo - Bitka bez iluzija, page 124
  6. Hudelist, Darko, Kosovo - Bitka bez iluzija, page 121
  7. "Gjurmet - CV". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
  8. "Kosmopolis - Migjen Kelmendi". Cccb.org. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
  9. "NIN: 30 vjet pa Gjurmët (VIDEO)", Klankosova.tv
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