Rundek embarked on a major anniversary tour, “Apocalypso Now,” in 2017 after seven years with the Cargo Trio, once again reuniting a large band. This time, it was mostly comprised of younger musicians from the rich and vibrant new music scene in Zagreb. They called themselves “Rundek & Company.” This was actually the standard response of Rundek Cargo Orchestra and Trio’s longtime driver when customs officers at regional borders asked him who he was driving.

The crew consists of Roko Crnić on bass guitar and drums, Silvio Bočić on drums, guitar, and bass, Miro Manojlović on percussion and vibraphone, Igor Pavlica on trumpet, and Ana Kovačić on saxophone and synthesizer. The musicians often switch instruments. They all sing, especially Darko Rundek, who also plays the guitar.

Rundek: I must say I feel grateful to destiny for us coming together like this and enjoying playing together, and for the audience willingly sharing that enjoyment with us!

After releasing the singles “Tamni jorgovan,” “Barbara,” and “Pješčane oluje,” Rundek & Company recorded a fantastic album called MURA MURA with Andreja Kurelec Košavić, and in December 2020, they released BRISANI PROSTOR, which was hailed as the album of the year in many surveys and won the Porin Award for the best alternative music album.

They were followed by the singles “Unutarnji glas,” “Tko su svi ti ljudi,” “Mila,” and “Voljeti stvarno.” The accompanying videos were directed by Roko Crnić, who, along with Rundek, is the author of a significant portion of the lyrics and music on BRISANI PROSTOR.

Until the autumn of 2022, Rundek & Company promoted the album through live concerts, dedicating the autumn season to the 20th anniversary of Rundek’s album Ruke, with six sold-out concerts at KSET in Zagreb. That program will be the centerpiece of their concerts in spring and summer 2023. It includes several songs from the legendary album and some rarely performed material from the Paris phase played in a new way, along with a selection of hits that the audience always demands.

Rundek & Company continue to choose (erased) spaces where a new story about our present and future begins, connected to growth and joyful modesty. They will also appear in smaller formations and strive for an acoustic sound with minimal electricity and decibels. And don’t worry, you won’t have to watch them in places that use single-use plastic packaging…