Duo Ruut

Duo Ruut's sound is based on the common ground that two young musicians and songwriters with fairly different backgrounds and taste, Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi are exploring together. 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. Sometimes the barest, most minimal music can hit the hardest.

They stand either side of the zither, each plucking and strumming its strings and sometimes tapping its body for percussive purposes. This single instrument creates, what Mojo called “a band sized sound”. And then come the rising voices, gently soaring, gently circling, dovetailing and interweaving, calling and responding. It’s an intimate experience - beguiling, bewitching and undeniably transportive. It’s something you haven’t heard before.

They have recently released their second album “Ilmateade” (The Weather Report) which was named Folk Album of the Month by The Guardian and was awarded Folk Album of the Year by Estonian Music Awards 2026.