Por-no

Por-no (also written por-nó) is an alternative rock band from Pristina, founded in 2002 by Dritero Nikqi and Rron Qena. Prishtina Insight called it the city's unconventional band; the members have never explained the name. Wikipedia lists Por-no among the best-known bands to come out of post-war Kosovo.

The band's sound is downbeat and slow-burning, built on sliding guitar riffs and electric violin; Prishtina Insight was reminded vaguely of Radiohead while calling the music original, and Nikqi has named Tortoise and Moondog as long-time influences. Its 2005 album Aeroplanat shkojnë e vijnë (The planes come and go) dealt with isolation.

The fourth album, Zhurmuesi (a word for radio interference), came out in 2014 with ten songs recorded over about two years, among them "Tash krejt fillon", "Këtu", "Kangë për pleqni" and the title track. It was packed in recycled, stamped cardboard, sold in a limited run in Pristina and put out digitally, and was premiered at a concert in the city. "This time we tried to give the audience something short and sweet," Nikqi said. The line-up then was Nikqi on vocals and guitar, Michael Hayes on bass, Krenar Ismaili on violin and Nesim Maxhuni on drums.

In 2020 Por-no released Dyftyreshi, again composed by Nikqi, with songs such as "Qëllimet", "Kali", "I lirë" and "Muri". Nikqi also helped produce the album N'kuti by The Freelancers.