YGT: Sinking Ship
Gregor Kocijančič, Fejzo Košir and Mina Fina met in Panama during their independent journeys in the search of the enchanted skull and young South American Indian prince. (more…)
SCHMIEDS PULS (Austria)
»Schmieds Puls make delicately devastating music. Rich, lyrical songwriting, the band’s approach is effortlessly simple but resolutely complex, matching crystal clear melody to lyrical introversion.« Clash
Fronted by Mira Lu Kovacs, whom you might have met at MENT 2018 when she performed with her band 5K HD, and featuring Christian Grobauer (drums) and Walter Singer (bass), Schmieds Puls are an Austrian outfit that have been making waves in their home territory for some time. Spanning genres, refusing to be pigeonholed and politically outspoken, particularly regarding Mira’s feminism, has cemented them as one of the country’s most interesting outputs, earning them prestigious accolades such as the Amadeus Austrian Music Award. Their new album »Manic Acid Love« (Play Dead Records) is a triptych leading us through the spectrum of human emotion.
Photo: Ina Aydogan
PORTO MORTO (Croatia)
In the alternative sector, the best album was released by Zagreb-based art rock band Porto Morto, whose self-titled debut is the biggest domestic surprise of the past season.« Ilko Čulić, 24Sata Express
The eight-piece from Zagreb won over Croatian reviewers and audiences. Their self-titled debut was mentioned numerous times as one of the best Croatian releases in recent years, taking the group to numerous local festivals. Porto Morto is a sort of mini big band of various influences. They’re currently preparing their second album for release in spring 2019.
YEGOR ZABELOV (Belarus)
One of the most original accordion players in Eastern Europe is a composer, an author of music for theatrical performances and movies. Zabelov’s music can be described as an experimental mix of accordion, avant-garde, jazz and neo-classical sounds. After performing all over Europe with his duo Gurzuf, Yegor focused on his solo career which sometimes expands to a trio where Zabelov continues to reveal the creative possibilities. He’s known to produce amazing sounds beyond the usual accordion music.
WWW: http://yegorzabelov.com/en/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/yegorzabelovtrio/
BC: https://yegorzabelov.bandcamp.com
SC: https://soundcloud.com/yegor-zabelov-1
SLUMBERLAND (Belgium)
»Beautiful to watch, heavenly to hear.« Humo
Slumberland is characterised by unique musical recycling, masterful sonic experimentation and nearly ritualistic performances. Jochem Baelus’ homemade sonic factory is constructed from discarded sewing machines, deformed knitting needles, old hairdryers, antique projectors and similar props. The mechanical noise of the improvisational installation is complemented by his dark vocals and raw guitar parts. Think Suicide vs. Swans. Live, drummers Alfredo Bravo (Flying Horseman) and Frederik Meulyzer (Stray Dogs) provide an organic counterpoint. In February, Consouling Sounds will publish Slumberland’s second album »Sea, Sea, Sea, Drifter/See, See, See, Drifter.«
ÄTNA (Germany)
»Somewhere between Björk, Fever Ray, Kamasi Washington and plenty of other references, the dynamic duo created something that is hard to find these days: a sound that is truly unique and fresh compared to most of contemporary music’s releases.« Nothing but Hope and Passion
ÄTNA unfold an energetic, highly percussive, dark and twisted version of pop. Their music is an adventure riding between powerful extremes, whether sensual tenderness or raw fury. »La Famiglia – An Audiovisual Suite« was released in September on Berlin‘s House of Strength Records and is a joyous artwork of audio-visual one-shot recordings.
Photo: Josefine Schulz
ŠIFT#4: KEEMO
According to the latest data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer – IARC, the number of cancer patients in 2018 increased to 18.1 million, with 9.6 million deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects this disease to become the leading cause of death in the 21st century. However, the number of people affected by the disease is much larger. (more…)
Borghesia: AGAINST CAPITULATION
The cult Slovenian EBM / electro-rock group Borghesia is returning to the stage with a promotional concert for its new LP Against Capitulation, which is coming out on Moonlee Records at the end of October 2018. (more…)
Big Band RTV Slovenija & Don Menza
Legendary saxophone player, composer and music arranger Don Menza will turn 82 in April this year. Despite his age, Don Menza sounds better with each passing year. His famous “Big Sound”, accompanied by Big Band RTV Slovenia, will fill up the Old Power Station. Menza has collaborated with the most prominent Big Bands led by world famous musicians Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich. He has also worked with the John Coltrane Quartet drummer, Elvin Jackson, for many years. (more…)
GEORGE GARZONE & CRESCENT
George Garzone, world–famous saxophonist and professor at the Berklee College of Music, is visiting Europe, and also coming to Slovenia for the first time. George Garzone is one of the most renowned saxophone players in the world, along with names such as Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Chris Potter, and Joshua Redman. (more…)