Duo Ruut (EE) with Monique Clare
Estonian indie-folk meets Australian contemporary folk
An Estonian zither and two distinct voices, Duo Ruut has quickly transcended from the northern coast of Estonia, performing at festivals such as Glastonbury, Celtic Connections, Womad UK, Trans Musicales, Pohoda Festival, and more. Composing on one instrument, their music is bewitching and undeniably transportive.
Awarded as the Artist of the Year by Estonian Ethno Music Awards in 2025, their second album “Ilmateade” (“The Weather Report”) was nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award Quarterly Critic’s Choice, and ‘made it into the annual roundup of All Music, one of the oldest and largest web encyclopedias and music media portals in the US, where the most significant 100 albums of the past year from around the world are listed alongside artists like Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Deftones, and many others.
"Local twosome Duo Ruut, who double up on a single zither – it’s used as a drum kit as well as a stringed instrument – to create a band-sized sound with high-keening, folk-style harmony singing, to stirring effect" - MOJO, Ian Harrison
In Brisbane, Duo Ruut will be joined by Monique Clare, with DJ Jan closing the night spinning Estonian disco hits
Wielding a cello and powerhouse vocals, Monique Clare is a multi award-winning songwriter whose captivating authenticity leaves a trail of tears and laughter in her wake. With an intrepid spirit that's seen her teach in Afghanistan, play cello with Eminem to a crowd of 80,000 people, and tour her solo project across Europe, her live show is electrifying, mesmerising and impactful. Like a warm hug after a cold plunge, her trailblazing take on indie-folk follows unexpected twists and turns, peppered with art-pop and classical influences.
With two albums under her belt, she’s earned accolades at the Australian Folk Music Awards and Queensland Music Awards, an emerging talent award at Celtic Connections in Scotland, a National Live Music Awards nomination, and was the Folk Alliance Australia’s Young Artist of the Year in 2017.
www.duoruut.ee
https://www.moniqueclare.com