Orthodox Celts

Orthodox Celts is a Serbian band ^{band (music)} which plays Irish folk music ^{Folk music of Ireland} combined with rock ^{Rock music} elements. Their music led to a popularisation of Irish and Celtic music and other aspects of Irish ^Ireland and Celtic culture in Serbia. Despite their unusual sound the band is currently one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene ^{Serbian rock} and has influenced several younger bands, most notably Tir na n'Og and Irish Stew of Sindidun.

The band started their career with traditional Irish songs ^{Folk music of Ireland} and, gradually, introduced more and more of their own material (lyrics mostly written by band's frontman Aleksandar Petrović, music mostly written by band's violinist Ana Đokić). All their songs are in English ^{English language} , but the group has composed some purely instrumental songs as well. The band traditionally celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a large concert in Belgrade.

  During the mid-eighties, Roze Poze drummer, Dušan Živanović wanted to form a band which would perform the cover versions of Irish folk songs. Even though he had partially managed to fulfill this idea in Roze Poze, in 1992, Živanović took up playing the accordion and, with Ana Đokić (violin) and Dejan Lalić (mandolin, banjo, tin whistles), formed a band which performed informally at clubs. The first official public appearance the band had on Saint Patrick's day at the British ^{Great Britain} Council in 1992. The following year, vocalist Aleksandar Petrović, also known as Aca Celtic, joined the band and they started working more accurately. The rest of the lineup featured Vladan Jovković on guitar and Dejan Jevtović on bass guitar.

The band released their first self-titled album ^{Orthodox Celts (album)} in mid-1994, featuring cover versions of twelve Irish folk songs. Among the covers appeared the songs "Nancy Whiskey", soccer anthem "A Grand Old Team", "The Wild Rover", "The Irish Rover" and others. The band presented the album live, mainly in Belgrade's KST. The band also had acoustic sets in chamber arrangement. At the time, the band started writing their own songs, keeping up with the existing musical style. Their performance held at Synagogue in Novi Sad on September 15, 1995, with the band Pachamama ^{Pachamama (band)} , was released as a split live album Musical Parallels in 1996.

For the next album, The Celts Strike Again, the band, beside the cover versions of traditional songs, included two of their own songs. As guests on the album appeared Ana Sofrenović who did vocals on the track "Lock Lommond", Vampiri vocalist Aleksandar Eraković did backing vocals, Stočari member Branko Vitas played banjo, Pachama member Miljan Mihaljčić played the traditional instruments and Renesansa member Žorž Grujić played zurla and Serbian bagpipes ^Gajde . Three promotional videos were recorded for the album, for "Drinking Song", "Star Of The County Down" and the title track. The later also appeared on the Radio Index various artists compilation Nas slušaju svi, mi ne slušamo nikoga!.
In 1997, the band, with Madame Piano, performed at the Budva music festival ^{Pjesma Mediterana} with the song "Galija". The song appeared on the official festival release. At the time, the band presented their new member, Dejan Popin (tin whistles), and together they started working on their new release. Green Roses, released in 1999, featured sixteen songs, half of which were traditional covers and the other half, their original songs. The album was produced by Aleksandar Radosavljević, and as guests appeared Dragoljub Marković (keyboards), Aleksandar Eraković and Goran Stojković (backing vocals). Promotional videos were recorded for the tracks "Rocky Road to Dublin / Down The River", "Merry Sisters", "Far Away", and the title track.

In 2001, Metropolis records rereleased their debut album on CD, and as bonus tracks appeared the songs from the live album Musical Parallels. The following year, the band released the fourth album, A Moment Like The Longest Day. The album featured the songs written by Đokić (lead vocals on "Can You Get Me Out"), Petrović, new bass guitarist Dejan Grujić and Colette Ioanniduoi. The album featured only one traditional cover, "Humors Of Scariff". Block Out member Nikola Vranjković produced the album, and the band moved to a more pop-oriented sound than on the previous releases. Promotional video was recorded only for the title track.

In 2007, the band released their fifth album, One Two... 5, through Automatik records. The album, produced by Nikola Vranjković, brought eleven songs, two of which are covers of traditional songs.
In 2009, Ana Đokić left Orthodox Celts.

Petrović stated that the band plans to tour Ireland in 2010.
Studio albums




Live albums



Singles