Emir & Frozen Camels P o r t r a i t

Emir & Frozen Camels - rock band / USA / Croatia / Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Emir Bukovica was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and from the age of 11 he has played guitar. Emir's career started in Sarajevo prior to the Balkan's war. It was in Sarajevo that musically he proved himself by collaborating with, at the time some of the most popular bands in the very powerful Sarajevo music scene. Emir also went on to play with and work with many other famous bands from the former Yugoslavia. Also during this period of his career Emir was writing music for other musicians and bands.

At the end of 1993, Emir moved to USA. Shortly after Emir arrived in the Country he met up with several American famous musicians that encouraged and convinced him to continue his music career. One of them, Danny Shepard helped him to record his first English songs. Danny also became Emir's best friend and co-producer. Emir went on to form his own band Emir & Frozen Camels (E&FC) and the band started work on their first album. Although he lived in a new country, Emir retained his contacts with his European roots.

One famous rock critic wrote: "His feelings, his past, his memory, hope and angriness, as well as his love are reflected in Emir's music. In fact the music of Emir Bukovica is a well-balanced mixture of alternative rock 'n' roll and traditional Bosnian ethnic music. Emir's cosmopolitan and unique blend of music is also further supplemented by his powerful lyrics. Lyrics that will take you on a journey through love, pain, happiness and hope. Emir Bukovica decided to "wake the Planet" and write a music that can inspire many of us. Music full of emotions and truth. Music as one big story, like one of his songs says: "There is nothing like decision you can have your own Moon".

While he was working on the album "San", Emir was very honored, when he was selected to write the Bosnian National Anthem for an International Competition. In recording studio, he was greatly helped from many of his good friends and musicians. Among other musicians that played on "San" album were: Cliff Williams bass player from famous rock band AC-DC and distinguished musicians like Danny Shepard, Darrell Nutt and Elliot Randall (Joan Baez, Pavlov's Dog, Steely Dan Band,..).

After the album "San" was recorded in USA, European recording label, "Dallas Records", published it for European market. Emir & Frozen Camels went on to play many concerts and were successful on the local music charts in Eastern Europe. From the Album "San" three videos were produced for songs from the album, one of them ("Sarajevo, New York, Roma") was air played on the Canadian MTV substitute, the very popular MUCH TV.

Emir has got many offers to write music for the other musicians, as well as the music for Slovenian movie "Memmenta M". At the end of 2002, for the collaboration of the band with AC/DC bass player Cliff Williams, on the album "San", Emir Bukovica along with the fellow members of the band received the BH Music Award "Davorin 2002" for "The Best International Music Collaboration".

In November 2002 Emir put together the original American cast of Emir & Frozen Camels band for the European "The Frozen Camels Project" Tour. Together with Cliff Williams (AC/DC), Danny Shepard & Darrell Nutt, Emir appeared in selected clubs in Europe.

In spring 2003 E&FC got their official web-site (www.emir-frozencamels.com), but more important - Emir with his band started to record his second album, "Znam". The album was mostly recorded in the USA with the same "dream-team", members of the band who played on the first album "San". Some of the songs were recorded in Europe with the European part of Emir's band. On the album are featured some local artists such as Rambo Amadeus, El Bahattee and Elvis J. Kurtovic.

The second album, "Znam", was released at the end of 2003, and soon the video clips for the songs "Sarajevo, New York, Roma (remix)", "Brown Eyed Girl", "Tvoj Svijet", "Uhljup - Glamour Papak" and "Ulica" hit the music-charts in Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Slovenia. The album "Znam" was selected by the eminent rock critics among the 10 best albums of the year 2003 in Croatia. The album was nominated for numerous music awards (like "The best music production", "The best urban or rock album of the Year", "The best lyrics", etc.) and received the award for "The best alternative / rock album" from the association of the regional radio-stations.

The year 2004 was marked by numerous performances, concerts and festivals for the band Emir & Frozen Camels - to point out the largest festival in the SE Europe "EXIT" in Novi Sad, where Emir & Frozen Camels were the open act on the main stage for the legendary Iggy Pop.

In 2005 the band E&FC is nominated for the forth time in a row for the BH music award "Davorin", this time in the category for "The best rock video" for the song "Ulica". The video for the song "Fadila od Majamija (Unbelievable)" hit the video-charts. The video was recorded during E&FC's concert in the "Dom sportova" concert hall in Zagreb. At the end of 2005 E&FC came out with new video clip for the song "Ti i Ja (Sevdah blues)".

Danny Shepard and Darrell Nutt along with "frozen camels" recorded their blues version of "Santa Claus is coming to town" song. Video clip for this song, directed by famous Croatian director Darko Drinovac, hit all the video charts in the area. This video clip was also chosen in competition for "The best short movie" at "Zagreb Film Festival 2006".

After a long pause because of Emir's car accident at the begining of 2007, Emir & Frozen Camels released new single - song "Alina (No Pasaran)". This song features Spanish rocker Alberto Ceballos and Slovenian Pop-Rock star Omar Naber. "Alina (No Pasaran)" instantly became smashing hit in whole region. Video clip for this song, directed again by director Darko Drinovac was in one moment No. 1 on the 26 Top music charts in region. Song was also played on some of the stations in Spain. Emir & Frozen Camels won MTV Adria "Catch the Frequency" competition among many very good bands from the region. It brought them to play in Salzburg, Austria along with many famous bands like Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Interpol, etc. Few days after Austria, E&FC played in front of 50000-100000 people at "Belgrade Beer Fest 2007".

EF&C features: Emir Bukovica - songwriter / vox / guitar; Danny Shepard - songwriter / vox / guitar; Luka Putica - bass; Juraj Birin - guitar; Matija Novak - drums. (2008)

Contacts: emir-frozencamels.com www.myspace.com/frozencamels

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