Tarta Relena Captivates Encamp Audience with Hypnotic A Cappella Folk Performance

The Barcelona vocal duo Tarta Relena, made up of Marta Torrella and Helena Ros, delivered a captivating a cappella performance at Encamp's Complex Esportiu i Sociocultural on Saturday, drawing a spellbound audience with their minimalist, ritual-like sound.

Relying primarily on intricate vocal harmonies, the concert built from quiet intensity to an immersive, hypnotic atmosphere. It evoked ancient echoes through progressive folk and Gregorian influences rooted in Mediterranean traditions, transporting listeners into a world of reimagined folk sounds.

Formed in 2016, Tarta Relena centres its music on the voice, blending traditional melodies with authorial songs and bold experimentation. Vocal techniques drive their creativity, occasionally supported by subtle electronic elements like synthesisers that enhance rather than overshadow the singers. Drawing from Sephardic heritage, they adapt old melodies and forms, incorporating multilingual lyrics in Catalan, Spanish, Latin, Italian and more.

The set featured tracks from their latest album, *És pregunta* (2024), which explores tragic thought, fateful dilemmas and the boundaries of foresight—touching on destiny, curiosity and human limits. Highlights included "Galenismós", inspired by sea temperatures; "Tamarindo", built around a melody played forwards and backwards; and a modern take on a 11th-century religious poem attributed to Pérotin.

The duo made headlines in April 2024 as the first act to perform in Catalan on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. Last year, they marked their 10th anniversary with a show at Barcelona's Sala Apolo, underscoring their commitment to vocal innovation and traditional reinterpretation.