People often think of the Balkans as a crossroads. With their busy trade and cultural routes, the Balkans have been linking the East with the West, the North with the South throughout the centuries. Now can you imagine someone setting up a tent in the midst of that bustling roundabout, in a place where all those roads converge in a swirling mix? Can you imagine, out of the blue, a tent springing up in the middle of that crossroads, a wild and illegal wedding party inside it, a jamming makeshift shelter which blocks the traffic and makes time stand still until the break of dawn? Well, the loud and crazy music that would be played beneath such a tent cover - this is the sound of the ShazaLaKazoo.

ShazaLaKazoo, the brainchild of Milan Djuric and Uros Petkovic, has its origins in late 1990s Belgrade, Serbia. Their music brings together Balkan traditions, gypsy melodies and electronic rhythms, with Latin percussion and influences stretching from Africa to the Middle East. The result is a sound built on powerful rhythms, rich melodies and unexpected combinations of acoustic instruments and electronics.

Over the years, ShazaLaKazoo have played festivals and clubs around the world, released numerous singles, EPs and remixes, and built a discography of five studio albums: Speaking Balkanian (2010), Karton City Boom (2011), Monobrow (2014), Metanational (2016) and Chorba (2024). Collaborations with artists from the Balkans and beyond have also played an important role in the band's musical development.

Trumpeter Milos Nikolic joined during the making of Monobrow, contributing to both studio recordings and live performances. After Metanational, Greek singer and violinist Aimilia Varanaki joined as lead vocalist and frontwoman, bringing a new dimension to the band's sound.

Now a trio, ShazaLaKazoo continue to combine Balkan roots with electronic beats and influences from around the world. Their latest album, Chorba, puts Aimilia's vocals at the forefront while staying true to the band's distinctive mix of rhythms, melodies and musical influences.