The group consists of Daniel Salontay and Shina or Šina Lo. They also credit a third, electronic member of the group, Xi-di-nim, consisting of a laptop and Lemur Jazz Mutant, which provides the percussion and other electronic elements. Salontay studied mathematics and formerly taught computer programming; between 1997 and 1998 he studied guitar at Tri-C College, Cleveland, but left due to dissatisfaction with the school's curriculum . In the group he plays the guitar, often bowed, and sings. Shina studied engineering and worked as a graphic designer. She plays fretless bass and takes most of the vocal responsibilities.
History
Salontay and Shina became a couple in 1997 in Cleveland. In 2000 they formed the band Dlhé Diely with which they released 5 albums on their own label Slnko Records . The label soon gained respect in the music community and business, and grew steadily to become probably the largest independent label in Slovakia. The band first came to attention internationally after appearing at The Big Chill in 2005 still as Dlhé diely. In 2006 the duo changed their name to Longital, released the albumVoyage, and began to tour extensively in Europe. In 2008 the band released the album Gloria. Longital's US debut was in early 2010 at SXSW Austin. The band has also played at Pohoda festival Slovakia, the International Guitar festival Clonakilty Ireland, Mediawave Hungary, United Islands of Prague, Colours of Ostrava, Gena Festival Switzerland, and a number of festivals in France : Europavox Vichy, Mimi Marseille, Les Nuits Europeennes Strasbourg, Le printemps de Bourges, Les Oreillesen Pointe Unieux, Electro choc Bourgon, Gare aux Oreilles Coustellet, and Musiques Innovatrices St. Etienne. In 2007, Longital toured with The Frames. The duo also shared the stage with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Emiliana Torrini, Moloko, The Ruby Suns, Tujiko Noriko, Lali Puna, Black, Claire Di Terzi, Aaron, Xploding plastix, Medeski-Martin-Wood, Ralph Myerz, The Levelers, Susanne and the Magic Orchestra and Nina Hynes.
Style
The group's website describes their songs as, "drifted by ambient sounds, organic electronics, eastern European beats and a touch of psychedelia" , while on their Myspace site they categorise themselves as, "Alternative/electronica". Longital invite comparisons to Nordic brethren Sigur Rós, playing bowed guitars and singing in a language understood by few outside of their homeland. Before forming Longital, Salontay was schooled jazz musician steeped in the traditional music of Iran and India, Shina was a poet and folk singer. The duo create a sound informed by music from far-flung reaches of the globe but still distinguished by its Eastern European provenance, a touch of technology and experimentation.
