Artist and discography

Čankišou

World music from the Czech republic
which makes audience all around the world dance.

Wild rhythms. Exotic instruments.Music which doesn´t respect any musical borders.

Czech band Čankišou became famous in the Czech Republic and also abroad for its concerts full of energy and wild rhythms. Concerts run by singer Karel Herman who is very impressive not only because of his voice but also his figure become wild dance parties few minutes after beginning. Čankišou mixes influences from various ethnics with rock roots and with its rich collection of exotic instruments travels the world from Réunion island in an Indian ocean to Pakistan.

Čankišou was established at a Christmas party in 1999 by rock musicians. They put together various exotic and common rock instruments and started to explore world music field which was completely new for them at that time. Čankišou music is based on an old legend about one legged Canki people and the band also learnt their language. Within nearly 10 years of existence the band has become one of the top world music bands in the Czech republic and has travelled 13 countries so far.

Čankišou published several successful CD´s: first CD called Music of the Canki people (Hudba lidu Čanki, 2000) is full of energy and passion from new meeting/exploring with world music. More thoughtful Densé ju (2002) includes tittle Mongolian folk song, which was brought by singer Karel Herman from a festival in Mongolia. Third Gamagaj (2004) is inspired by a book Baudolino by Umberto Eco (all by FT Records). New CD called Lé La will be published in spring 2008 by Indies Scope Reocrds. The CD is inspired mainly by many long journeys and fusions with local musicians the band did in last two years.

In 2007 a book with soundtrack Ukopnuty palec aneb Pribehy lidu Canki was released. It´s a collection of 13 stories about Canki people by 13 authors. The soundtrack consists of 13 songs where each one is inspired by one story and composed by one of the Cankisou musician.

The band has two videos out now – Sham Sut (2000) from the first CD and Anay Yo (2005) from Gamagaj CD. Both are broadcasted also by american Link TV. New video Zuha which will be on Lé La CD is being made right now and material was shot in Pakistan.

Singer Karel Herman was awarded second place at an international music festival Chuch Mongolia 2001 /Blue Mongolia/ in Mongolia. David Synák in cooperation with Theatre Continuo took part in EXPO 2005 exhibiton in Japan.

Čankišou performs at festivals abroad: Amsterdam Roots Festival, World Performing and Visual Arts festival in Pakistan, Manapany Surf festival 2006 on Réunion island, Sheshory in Ukraine etc. The band made fusion with Sain Zahoor who got BBC World music 2006 award and sufi singer Surriya Khanam in Pakistan.

The band is:
Karel Herman - vocals
Zdenek Kluka - vocals, drums, percussions, balafon, accordion
Jan Kluka – vocals, drums, djembe, percussions, tarabuka, yarin
David Synak – vocals, flutes, didjeridoo, altsaxofon, sopransaxofon, jinagovi
Roman Mrazek – vocals, bassquitar
Rene Senko – vocals, tenorsaxofon
Martin Krajicek - vocals, mandoline