Duo Ruut

Duo Ruut’s (in translation Duo Square) sound is based on the common ground that two young Estonian musicians and songwriters Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi have explored since coming together in 2017.

Their sound ties together a single Estonian zither and two distinct voices. Inspired by the traditions of their Estonian heritage, they draw influence from both the beliefs of different cultures and their own contemporary and emotive songwriting. As they are composing on one instrument Duo Ruut’s music is minimalist at its core but packed with new and imaginative ideas.

In a short period of time Duo Ruut has already toured in Europe, Uzbekistan and Japan (Celtic Connections, ESNS, Womex, Trans Musicales, Pohoda Festival, Tallinn Music Week, Sharq Taronalari, du Bout du Monde, PIN Conference etc). During the last couple of years they have performed in more than 20 countries around the world – Germany, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Norway, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Japan, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia etc. Their music has been supported by international media such as MOJO, KEXP, Le Monde, The Arts Desk, Louder than War, Full Moon, Songlines, National Public Broadcasting Italy (NO RAI), BBC3, Sine FM, Folk Radio UK, RTBF Belgia, RFI, Inter France, FIP radio, Estonian Public Broadcasting, NTS Radio etc. In 2023 they gave 26 concerts outside of Estonia and the year started off with KEXP, FIP Radio and Culturebox TV France live sessions.

Duo Ruut released their debut album “Tuule sõnad” in December 2019. The album was awarded as the Debut Album of the Year by Estonian Ethno Music Awards 2020. The same album was nominated in different categories by Estonian Music Awards. In 2021 Duo Ruut released an EP called “Kulla kerguseks” (“Golden Light”) which received strong organic support internationally. The EP was nominated for the “Ethno/Folk Album of the Year” by Estonian Music Awards 2022. In 2023 Duo Ruut was nominated for the Best New Talent Award by Upbeat Platform.

Duo Ruut has collaborated also with beloved musicians such as pop artist NOËP (“Tuule sõnad” Remix of the Year by Radio 2) or they will soon collaborate for a concert with renowned conductor and composer Kristjan Järvi. Also they have had an honour to be a special guest of Jose Gonzalez show.

Duo Ruut is currently working on their new album, so fresh sounds and exciting ideas are coming your way soon.

“With a refreshing grace, this kind of harp usually played alone produces, between their hands, melodic arpeggios and percussion decorating texts of peasant tradition” – Le Monde

“Local twosome Duo Ruut, who double up on a single zither – it’s used as a drumkit as well as a stringed instrument – to create a band-sized sound with high-keening, folk-style harmony singing, to stirring effect” – Ian Harrison, MOJO

“A duo that share one instrument. A kannel is an indigenous variation of the zither, a miraculous machine that can be simultaneously harmonic, melodic and percussive, especially in the hands of this twosome, whose four hands still each appear to multitask” – Under the Radar