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Artist
Armand Margjeka
12+ albums
folkindieindie folkpopalbania
about
Armand Margjeka was born in Tropoja, an Albanian town at the foot of the Alps. “Tropoja was one of the most isolated villages in an isolated country,” Margjeka says. The communist regime he grew up with was oppressive, but somehow a mix tape of American rock’n’roll found its way into Margjeka’s hands. “Maybe my sister brought it back from University, I don’t remember, but hearing Elvis, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard changed my life.” That tape sent Margjeka on a journey of discovery. He eventually moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he's spent time writing, performing and producing. After a 2 year period with the alt country outfit Buffalo Black, Margjeka steps out with Margo Margo, his first solo album. A few months in the making, the album includes bedroom recordings and performances cut in Nashville with seasoned session players. “Momma” opens like an old time country ballad, with acoustic guitar and Margjeka’s mellow baritone occasionally slipping into falsetto to emphasize the emotional lyric, a conversation between a son and mother. Pedal steel, banjo and the subtle heartbeat of a kick drum add to the song’s emotional tension. Margjeka’s crystalline fingerpicking and intimate vocals highlight “Darling,” a song to his wife loosely based on the traditional cowboy tune, “Clementine.” His restrained electric guitar work drops hushed, melancholy notes into the mix to add to its passionate feel. The vocal harmonies of “Alive” were tracked in Margjeka’s b
