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.

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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.

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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.

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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.«

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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.

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Photo: Josefine Schulz

Festival MENT Ljubljana

The fifth edition of the winter festival of musical creativity is taking place in different venues across Ljubljana.

At the Old Power Station we will host: (more…)