Druga godba 2026: iT's Another Crying Game

Irena Z. Tomažin (vocals, shruti box, tape recorder) / Andraž Mazi (guitar) / Jana Beltran (guitar, vocals) / Vesna Godler (bass, vocals) / Samo Kutin (hurdy-gurdy, vocals) / Jure Vlahovič (sound)

Irena Z. Tomažin is one of Slovenia’s most recognized and versatile artists, both at home and abroad. Her connection to Druga godba lies in her voice — or, more precisely, in her vocal artistry — most notably through the project Crying Games, which has become one of her signature works. She first appeared at the festival in 2012, and seven years later presented iT: Another Crying Game.

While that earlier performance was a solo project, the transformation evident on last year’s album is captivating. This is no longer just a project — it is a fully realized, authored work, the result of years of exploration of voice, text, and sound. Tomažin has fully unfurled her experimentation, freeing it from tension to give space to refinement and apparent simplicity. She elevates it into a deeply expressive singer-songwriter experience, enriched with exquisite sonic details.

The album’s quintet, Another Crying Game Band, benefits from the collaboration of accomplished musicians and a producer, both in performance and in the creative sound process. Tracks sung in Slovenian anchor the work to Tomažin’s roots, while English-language songs flirt with the sophisticated challenges of contemporary folk. Her artistry defies easy international comparison, standing out for its singular voice and the originality of her expression.

We are thrilled that this unique project will come alive at Druga Godba, with iT’s Another Crying Game performing as a quintet — a fitting opening act for the festival.



Co-produced by Druga Godba and Cankarjev dom.