Duo Ruut performing with Jaan Jaago, Tõnu Tubli & Mati Tubli at Pärimusmuusika Lõikuspidu[et] (an Estonian traditional music festival) in 2023

Duo Ruut (English: Duo Square) are an Estonian, contemporary-folk duo formed in 2015 by schoolmates and friends, musicians and songwriters, Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi. While contemporary, their songwriting is inspired by Estonian traditions amongst those of other cultures. They perform their songs by both simultaneously playing a single kannel (an Estonian zither) between them, plucked as traditionally intended, bowed, and also as a percussive instrument, all while singing.

Rebane and Kivi began making music together in the fifth-grade of school, and entered a joint folk project into competition, Noortebänd[et] (English lit.: Youth Band). They both studied composition at school, and have cited Scandinavian and Nordic role-models. Kivi, who also plays the cello and bagpipes, enjoys and is influence by the Danish String Quartet, and also has an interest in Estonian traditional musician Maarja Nuut. Rebane also plays the piano and drums.

The duo was officially formed in 2015 when Rebane and Kivi were on a backpacking trip together, discussing that they wanted a simple name, and discarding one option, Mull ja Pilv (English: Bubble and Cloud). They settled on Ruut (English: Square) because they liked the sound of it. This initially caused some confusion with another Estonian band named Rüüt (English lit.: Robe), but after the word duo was prepended to their name by someone at a folk music band competition, their solution was to adopt it.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Tuule sõnad (English: Words of the Wind) (2021)
  • Ilmateade (English: Weather Report) (2025)

Extended plays

  • Kulla kerguseks (English lit.: For the Lightness of Gold) (2019)

Singles

  • "Liisa pehmes süles" (English lit.: "In Liisa's Soft Embrace") (2022)
  • "Udu" (English: "Fog") (2025)
  • "Kuuse koht" (English: "The Spruce") (2025)
  • "Enne ööd" (English: "Nightfall") (2025); featuring EiK[et]

See also

  1. Vilipo, Jaanika (10 November 2018). [Big Gallery: The Winner Of The Youth Band 2018 Has Been Announced] (in Estonian). Õhtuleht. from the original on 4 June 2025.
  2. Harrison, Ian (16 May 2022). . MOJO. from the original on 29 May 2022.
  3. . World Music Festival Bratislava. 26 September 2023. from the original on 4 June 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. Rebane, Ann-Lisett; Kivi, Katariina (5 July 2022). (Interview). Interviewed by Steve Scholey. The Layover. from the original on 4 June 2025 – via YouTube.
  5. Rebane, Ann-Lisett; Kivi, Katariina (22 October 2021). [Duo Ruut: Actually, We Play Different Instruments] (Interview) (in Estonian). Interviewed by Lea Kreinin. Eesti Elu. from the original on 6 June 2025.
  6. . Aktuality.sk. 14 July 2023. from the original on 4 June 2025 – via YouTube.
  7. . Spectaculum. 11 July 2023. from the original on 6 June 2025 – via YouTube.
  8. [The Release Of Duo Ruut's New Album 'Ilmateade'] (in Estonian). Duo Ruut. Archived from on 26 April 2025 – via Hooandja.
  9. [Hooandja Campaign: Release of Duo Ruut's New Album 'Ilmateade']. Hooandja. 23 April 2025 – via Vimeo.
  10. Rebane, Ann-Lisett; Kivi, Katariina (24 June 2025). (Interview). Rhythm Passport. from the original on 18 July 2025.
  11. Galbiati, Giulia (25 June 2025). . Estonian World. from the original on 13 July 2025.

External links