Hala Strana 4264469 183336904 2008-01-10T04:39:54Z 68.193.194.181 '''Hala Strana''' is the name of a recording project of American musician [[Steven R. Smith]]. Smith began recording under the name in 2002 as an outlet which allowed him to explore the traditional music of [[Eastern Europe]] more fully than possible with his solo work. Although numerous musicians have contributed to the project, including [[Glenn Donaldson]], [[Loren Chasse]], and Darren Ankenman, most Hala Strana recordings are solo productions. His recordings have included such diverse instruments as [[hurdy gurdy]], [[bouzouki]], [[harmonium]], [[spike fiddle]]s, [[bulbul tarang|bul bul tarang]], the [[optigan]] keyboard, [[xaphoon]], and [[field recordings]]. Hala Strana’s releases have featured arrangements of traditional music from [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Croatia]], [[Albania]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Bulgaria]] as well as original music influenced by the music of these areas. Hala Strana has recorded for a number of independent labels such as [[Soft Abuse]], Last Visible Dog, [[Jewelled Antler]], and [[Emperor Jones]]. ==Discography== * ''Karst E.P.'' – 3”CDr (Jewelled Antler, 2003) * ''Hala Strana'' – CD (Emperor Jones, 2003) * ''Fielding'' – 2xCDr (Jewelled Antler, 2003), 2xCD (Last Visible Dog, 2004) * ''These Villages'' – CD (Soft Abuse, 2004) * ''White Sleep'' - 7" lathe cut (Soft Abuse, 2006) * ''Heave the Gambrel Roof'' - LP/CD (Music Fellowship, 2007) * ''Karst'' – CD (Soft Abuse, 2008) ==External links== * [http://www.worstward.com/ Official site] * [http://www.emperorjones.com/ssmith.html Hala Strana at Emperor Jones] * [http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/feature_detail.php?id=54/ Foxy Digitalis interview] * [http://www.scaruffi.com/vol5/mirza.html Musical biography] [[Category:American experimental musical groups]]