its record label operations back in 1991, with Baltic releases of artists like Joy Division, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Sugarcubes and many other notable foreign acts. Zona's work with local performers included releases from the most famous Lithuanian rock bands Antis and BIX, Russian cult bands Va Bank and Avia, as well as several compilations of young Baltic and Eastern European alternative artists. Zona’s full back catalogue features a total of over 80 releases and co-releases. In the late 80s to early 90s, the company's head, Dovydas Bluvšteinas, made efforts to organize concerts in Vilnius by such alternative music icons as Sonic Youth, Sugarcubes, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Fall and many others. That contributed remarkably to the establishment of an interesting local alternative scene. Zona's efforts were finally recognized and rewarded in early 2006 with the 'Life-time award' by the annual local music awards Radiocentro Apdovanojimai. Koja Koja Records Group is one of the oldest and biggest record companies in Lithuania. Originally it was founded in 1995 as a dance music label. Early on, the company focused not only on their local repertoire, but also on international licensing in Lithuania and other former Soviet territories. In 1998 Koja Records Group decided to exert all of its efforts on finding and developing local artists. Alongside this, the label has broadened to become a pop/dance-music record company. See also Music of Lithuania References External links history of Lithuanian country music Mėnuo Juodaragis festival - neofolk, darkwave, and pagan arts Kunigunda Lunaria festival - gothic, darkwave, Industrial music Naujas Kraujas festival - new bands Kilkim žaibu festival - Baltic folk, pagan and black metal Vilnius Hardcore - Ska Funk Rasta Punk Scene, Vilnius Zona Heavy Metal in Lithuania Music Information Centre Lithuania – The most comprehensive Lithuanian music database. pakartot.lt - Playlists and discographies of Lithuanian music. (In Lithuanian) - Lietuvos roko pionieriai - Pioneers of the Lithuanian rock (In Lithuanian) Rockopedia.lt - Lithuanian rock encyclopedia. Rock Lithuania