our music

 

about malinka

Let us take you on a journey of music, mystery, magic and medicine … to move your heart and your colita!

Music is the language of the soul. Our group of talented, creative musicians will carry you through the soundscapes of lands near and far, all through groovy, funky beats, bass breakdowns and hot violin.. culminating in a high-vibe feeling of connectedness to all with whom we share this precious planet.

The rich history of world cultures is captured in songs, and through them, Malinka offers a window into the human story. With themes of love, joy, freedom, social justice, and hope, the vast landscapes of Eastern European, Balkan, Romani, Slavic, Latin, and original music resound as we tap into something high and inherently human, a language we all understand.

Malinka arranges everything in a unique style. We love bringing people together and creating a delicious vibe. We love the synergy that is born between us and the dancing crowd. Our songs are alive and fluid, and we often create new arrangements on the spot during shows.

Through music, we explore culture, melody, rhythm, style, language. As we dig deeper, we see the ancient roots that connect us all. The world is a beautiful place in need of healing.. we sing, we dance, we tell our stories and grow stronger together.

 

 

about malinka

Let us take you on a journey of music, mystery, magic and medicine … to move your heart and your colita!

Music is the language of the soul. Our group of talented, creative musicians will carry you through the soundscapes of lands near and far, all through groovy, funky beats, bass breakdowns and hot violin.. culminating in a high-vibe feeling of connectedness to all with whom we share this precious planet.

The rich history of world cultures is captured in songs, and through them, Malinka offers a window into the human story. With themes of love, joy, freedom, social justice, and hope, the vast landscapes of Eastern European, Balkan, Romani, Slavic, Latin, and original music resound as we tap into something high and inherently human, a language we all understand.

Malinka arranges everything in a unique style. We love bringing people together and creating a delicious vibe. We love the synergy that is born between us and the dancing crowd. Our songs are alive and fluid, and we often create new arrangements on the spot during shows.

Through music, we explore culture, melody, rhythm, style, language. As we dig deeper, we see the ancient roots that connect us all. The world is a beautiful place in need of healing.. we sing, we dance, we tell our stories and grow stronger together.

video

find the latest videos on our youtube channel

calendar

Fri, Oct 4

Talent Harvest Festival

Talent, OR

Malinka plays 1:30-3pm

 

Sat, Oct 12

Private Event: Wedding Dinner

 

7-8pm

 

Sat, Oct 19

Private Event: Wedding 

 

7-9pm

 

Fri, Oct 25

Belle Fiore Vineyard

Ashland, OR

5:30-7:30pm

 

Fri, Nov 1

Oberon’s – Day of the Dead Masquerade

..with Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba opening!

~Costume contest!~

Ashland, OR

8pm

 

Sat, Nov 23

Malinka Trio @ Miners’ Bazaar

Jacksonville, OR

5:30-7:30pm

 

Fri, Dec 6

Skout

Ashland, OR

First Friday Art Walk!

6-8pm

 

Sun, Dec 15

RoxyAnn Winery

Medford, OR

6-8pm

 

Fri, Feb 28

RoxyAnn Winery

Medford, OR

6-8pm

 

    the collective

Malinka is a collective of many artists and musicians. We love collaborating with fun, interesting people. Each person adds their own flavor and spice to our eclectic medley, making for a rare treat. Our sound is fluid and always evolving as we explore the vast landscapes of music.

At the heart of Malinka are Luke and Yelena, who found each other in a beechwood forest in Hungary many years ago. Their love for music, life, and each other carries them through the madness of the world by way of loyalty, whimsy, integrity, sincerity, and at the end of the day, having a good laugh.

We are able to play as a duo, a 5-piece full band, and everything in between.

Malinka is a collective of many artists and musicians. We love collaborating with fun, interesting people. Each person adds their own flavor and spice to our eclectic medley, making for a rare treat. Our sound is fluid and always evolving as we explore the vast landscapes of music.

At the heart of Malinka are Luke and Yelena, who found each other in a beechwood forest in Hungary many years ago. Their love for music, life, and each other carries them through the madness of the world by way of loyalty, whimsy, integrity, sincerity, and at the end of the day, having a good laugh.

We are able to play as a duo, a 6-piece full band, and everything in between.

Yelena

Guitar, Vocals

Yelena Valerievna was born in Latvia, Eastern Europe. Born into a musical family, her love for music began when she started piano lessons at age 6. Yelena sang in many choral groups throughout her schooling years and developed a love for vocal harmony. She grew up internationally, traveling and living in many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. She is fluent in 3 languages. While living in England, Yelena picked up the guitar and began learning songs that her grandmother used to play. She later began exploring many genres of music and composing her own songs, some of which are performed by Malinka. Yelena is also a percussionist and dancer. She plays bendir, djembe, doumbek, and other hand drums and has played with various groups over the years. As a dancer, Yelena spent most of her life studying and performing Jazz, Latin, Ballroom, Swing, Modern, Hip Hop, and Middle Eastern dance, as well as African drum and dance with various ensembles in California and New York. Aside from her endeavors in music and dance, Yelena is passionate about education and has worked as a Waldorf teacher at Waldorf schools worldwide since 2009. Yelena loves collaborating with others and believes that together, we create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Luke

Cajón, Percussion

Luke Lewis was born and grew up in Manchester, England. He fell in love with music at a young age and spent years delving into the musical eras of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, where some of his favorite music originates. He moved to the US in 2014, shortly after he met Yelena in Hungary on a hitchhiking trip around Europe. The two were married a few months later. Luke doesn’t consider himself a musician and says that anyone can tap a drum. Luke also plays guitar and writes songs about social media, war, love, and cloacas. Aside from cajón, Luke is Malinka’s sound guy and loves playing around with production. He has recorded and produced a few tunes for Malinka and is looking forward to more.

media

Ashland World Music Festival

Rogue World Music looks proudly at the Ashland World Music Festival as an increasingly expanding offering of global music and culture, balanced between celebration and education.

In 2017 — one year after Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission created the festival — APRC realized it needed help to fully realize the idea and leaned on Rogue World Music, said Ana Byers, the nonprofit’s executive director.

stay in touch

Join our mailing list! We’ll let you know about upcoming gigs.

contact

malinkaworldmusic@gmail.com

 

            Malinka Music Collective

ashland, or

malinkaworldmusic@gmail.com