Maturidade, NBC's latest album, available for streaming. Discover the beats and sounds of hip-hop made in Portugal.
It Might Like You, Julia's debut long play is out now. Discover 3 new tracks on her MySpace.
After the 2007's EP Sweet Cotton, POPO are back with 2 new tracks on the FDM compilation. Overdue Love and Magnetic Hall are now available for streaming.
Spectacolo Spectacolo!!!! 2 new tracks on The Reverie's MySpace: The Empty Chair and Spectacolo Circus Theme
Drop by Waxfood's MySpace and check all new 2008 tracks.
Did you know that "As Putas Dancam Slows"? Check it right here, on Marsupial, Linda Martini's newest EP
Rocky Marsiano's Outside the Pyramid is knocking on your door. Let 4 of its tracks enter and entertain you!!!!
2008 just saw Tomasz Bednarczyk release Summer Feelings. Meanwhile, Painting Sky Together is about to hit the lights. Check these two albums on his MySpace.
"Congratulate you, where?" and "Drift Motion" featured on W Krainie Dzwiekow z Muz, from FDM Records, are now available on New Century Classics' MySpace. Unveil it!!!
Jacek Kuderski, Myslovitz's bassist player, is about to released his debut album Xperyment 2004-2007. 5 tracks available at his MySpace. Worth discovering!!!!
After 2006's self-titled debut, Mikromusic are back with Slonecznik. The first single is already available for streamng.
Nel Assassin is back. Reconstrucao is about to hit the streets. Grab a bit of it.
Polish Funk 3 is on its way. First track available for streaming.
With a new album on its way, X-Wife's newest track "On the radio" can be heard on their MySpace.
After the EP's Tree Top and Anubi, Myppa has released a new track. "Clothed with the sun" is worth paying a visit.
Take-Off, their debut, is out. The single "Walk Aside" is conquering each and everyone. Let yourself go....
New clothing for "Killer Pop Machine" and new track "Vintage Violence". Check out the "new" Out of Tune
Azevedo Silva's latest record Autista is here. Discover 2 tracks right here.
You Should Go Ahead forthcoming release Emotional Cocktail is available for streaming at their MySpace. Album and special Limited Edition on the 19th of May.
Green Machine released Play Ghost, their second Long Play. Check two tracks on their MySpace
An On Bast. New track out of the brand new Words Are Dead
Para Todo o Mal. Mesa's 3rd album available for streaming at their MySpace
"Naive", "Cold" and "The River". 3 track out of ISS' long play debut Lullabies To Keep Your Eyes Closed
Dead Combo's forthcoming album Lusitania Playboys available for streaming
3 new tracks out of Treny, Jacaszek's brand new album
2 tracks out of Nothing’s Ever Good Enough, Electric Willow's second full lenght release
"Sound of Kuduro" feat. MIA, Puto Prata, Saborosa & DJ Znobia. Track and video already on BSS' Myspace
The New Sounds of Poland and Portugal - Our Last.fm Stereo
The New Sounds of Poland and Portugal - Free Downloads!!
The Midnight Reverie Trio, The Awarians and Gasoline will get together on a special evening in order to support a good cause.
With the goal of helping underprivileged kids getting some holidays, 3 bands set up by ex-Pats living in Krakow, will entertain you at the teatr Nowa Laznia in Nowa Huta.
Do not miss this event. Your presence can make a diference. Bring a friend as well.
Tickets are 8 zl in advance and 10 zl at the door.
01 49 Special / Cafe Crossroad / Antwerp (BE)
05 Dead Combo / Cabaret Maxime’s / Lisbon
06 wOMAN iN pANIC / Plano B / Oporto
11 Lobster / Maxime / Lisbon
13 Riding Panico / ZDB / Lisbon
21 Dead Combo / Auditorio d’A Moagem / Fundao
July 08
04 Dead Combo / Paths of Peace Festival / Rovereto (IT)
10 Dead Combo / Teatro do Campo Alegre / Oporto
13 49 Special / Great Shakin Fever - Afternoon Pool Party / Oporto
22 Dead Combo / Festival Musicas do Mundo / Sines
August 08
15 Dead Combo / Festival Mundo / Viana do Castelo
September 08
09 Bajzel / Off festival / Myslowice
12 Dead Combo / World Cultures Festival / Gdansk
These are the words Julia Marcell used to introduce herself to the world. Sellaband sky rocket, this Olsztyn-based young artist is taking her piano driven melodies to the world; and believe me, her world is getting bigger and bigger!!!
Having written her first song when she was just seven years old, by the age of eighteen two home recordings of hers had already seen the lights as demos.
This year, she's back with Storm EP, a 5 track release that captures some of the most beautiful songs from her repertoire. Starting with captivating piano notes dropping slowly as Julia's remarkable vocals slide, delicately whispered, along these enchanting 3 minutes of music on Twin Heart. Going further more, there's time for my favourite song, The Roads.
Compared to the likes of Joanna Newsom, Tori Amos or Regina Spektor, Julia gathers within these 5 tracks beautifully written lyrics, incredibly delicate and, yet sometimes, intense piano drunk melodies, altogether with violin magic sound powders, viola, cello and her unforgettable voice. 5 tracks perfectly sung in English (no accent at all) make this debut one of the most interesting releases this year, on this side of Europe.
As part of the Sellaband community, she was mentioned by the British newspaper The Guardian as a band to keep an eye on. So far, in a very short period, Julia gathered something like $25000 already. Once she hits the $50000, it is time for the long play debut.
But Julia Marcell is not only Julia Marcell. This project sees Anna Caban, on violin; Adam Bruderek, on violin; Anna Prokopczuk, on viola; Patrycja Taradejna, on cello; delivering their contribution to this extraordinary 5 tracks Storm EP.
Check this young artist on her MySpace, site or at her Sellaband. If so, invest yourself 10 bucks on Julia Marcell. For sure it'll be worth it!!!!
This week, Ladybug will join forces with Krakow-based singer songwriter Graftmann. Together they will take the Polish Songwriter's London Club Tour to a London club near you.
This unique and truly interesting singer/songwriter event promises to show two of the most interesting new projects Made in Poland.
Ladybug, together with her acoustic guitar and her strong and deep vocals, will fly you through folk inspired acoustic music, stripped down to the bones. You'll be able to see and listen to the melancholic melodies, the beautiful vocals and the acoustic tunes coming out of those naked guitars.
Armed with a harmonica and his guitar, Graftmann will take you and lead you into his vision of the world. Do not hesitate!!! As he says "...I'm writing songs when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm sleepy. I love music and films. I'm inspired by 80's indiepop, 60's movie stars, disco heartbeats, drunk women, scandinavian animals, polish literature, soft pornography, bad weather and other nice things....."
Do not miss it. Starts this Sunday, the 5th of August.
5th of August @ Bull and Gate, London 6th of August @ Dingwalls, London 7th of August @ The Cross Kings, London 8th of August @ The Pelican, London
"Madame Godard is no one in special, just a name that sounded better after a couple of experiments. It even was Madame Arlette. They even thought on Russian names,...... it just had to be Madame something....."
They are five, they're from the North of Portugal, from Viana do Castelo, and they sound gorgeous.
Juvenal Vieira, on vocals, theremin and megaphone; Rui Amaro, on guitar, banjo, trumpet and backing vocals; Paulo Oliveira, on keyboards, violin, moog and accordion; Paulo Goncalves, on bass guitar, claps and backing vocals; and Jose Ribeiro on drums and guns are Madame Godard, a quintet that has been perfuming my past few weeks with their amazing mixture of crooner style music, fantastic combination of chanson francaise meets Calexico meets Tindersticks in dark cheap and merry cabaret, amusement park soundtracks, delicate pop songs, whispered catchy chorus, claps claps and more claps, and a wild party, open to everyone, where accordions dance with violins, banjos challenge trumpets for a run up to the skies, keyboards fall in love with theremins. Altogether they deliver us this amazing party of sounds, of beautiful melodies and great great songs.
The story of Madame Godard, nevertheless, goes back to the late 90s. By then and after a quite successful participation on the Termometro Unplugged music contest, where they finished in second place, we would see them later on Festival Paredes de Coura in one of the most enthusiastic performances, in that festival, that year.
On the year 2001 the band would take a pause, after some internal issues, only to come back last year with a new line-up and a great wish to finish their debut album.
This debut is being worked on, together with producer Paulo Miranda (worked with Old Jerusalem and The Legendary Tigerman among others), and shall see the lights early next year.
Meanwhile, so that you can get addicted too, Madame Godard placed 5 tracks (not final versions) on their MySpace. The fact that these are not final versions makes me happier as they are already fantastic.
Have a look at the beautiful Queens of the Twilight, Love is Poker, Femme Fatale, Le Carrousel and Hardly Alone and fall in love with them.
On our second Under the Radar, we continue in Poland, the land of great vodka, bigos and amazing electronic music.
Tonight we step into the world of Myppa. Tonight we step into the word of Marcin Czajka and another project of his.
After getting a degree on Film and Television Academy in Warsaw, Marcin started his music project Myppa. We were then on the year 2005.
One year later, we would see him coming up with Altruistic Behaviours, his debut album under the skin of Myppa. Dig no further than Sigur Ros and all the companions from the vast and mysterious Scandinavian lands of ice.
The whispers of the North European auroras can be heard here. Beautifully constructed textures take us to those imaginary places difficult to reach on our day to day lives. Epic sounds, melancholic and delicate electronic tunes that reach deep in our souls, letting us feel so cosy and relaxed.
Close your eyes and imagine this place where, laying down, you can hear the sea waves kissing the soft bright spots laying on the dark skies. Imagine......
This 2007 may see another of Myppa's releases coming out. Two tracks, Sandcastle and I'm Seven Meters Tall are available at his MySpace, alongside with two other tracks from his debut album.
But this is not all of it......
Recently, I discovered that Marcin Czajka, a.k.a. Myppa, is running another project. This projectgives by the name of Myppa Manila.
Myppa Manila is closely connected to Myppa. This is the project where Marcin delivers the tracks that do not fit into Myppa's profile. Do not let this last sentence make you think of Myppa Manila's as the project handling the rests. Here you can find enchanting melodies, incredibly emotional beats and inspired remixes. Just have a look at the beautiful remixes for Sigur Ros'Smaskifa and Samskeyti. In case this is not enough, listen to Children's Painting and Shiny Nat at his MySpace.
After all, this Under the Radar is not about one band only. This Under the Radar is about Marcin Czajka and his amazing two blossoming projects, Myppa and Myppa Manila.
The opening honours go to Popo, or shall I say Potrzebuje Powietrza, the Polish forI Need Air (in English). Popo are an indie rock quartet that come rocking from Bydgoszcz to place near you.
Mikolaj Czajkowski, on vocals and bass guitar; Sebastian Loskot, on vocals and keyboards; Tomasz Wojtaniec, on vocals and guitar; and Kuba "Qba" Janicki, on percussion and programming are the masterminds behind the textures and flowing emotions, the catchy melodies and aesthetic sounds they came up with.
Post rock driven, electronic music flavoured, blessed with the magic powders of pop music and haunted by the spectrum of the 80's new wave, Popo are here to conquer a place on the sunny side of Poland's new music scene. Their music is all about freshness and rhythm, sounding new and attractive to those who love indie, electronic or pop music.
Going back to the year 2005, with a pause in between, it was only by mid 2006 that this quartet has had the line-up settled up. With only one EP so far, the 3 track Playground EP released this year, they are about to see the track Get The Bus and Stop to Kidnap make it to Trojka's Piotr Stelmach's compilation Offensywa #2, and hopefully make it to several others that did not have the chance to meet them so far.
The electrifying and highly recommended Get the Bus and Stop to Kidnap, Potrzebuje Powietrza and Hello Disco are waiting for you. Playground EP can be found on their MySpace.
This October they'll hit the road. Catch them on the.....
1st of October, Torun 2nd of October, Poznan 3rd of October, Wroclaw @ Bezsennosc 4th of October, Krakow @ B-side 5th of October, Lodz @ Big Day Over 6th of October, Warsaw 7th of October, Bydgoszcz @ Mozg
Their backgound goes as far as yass or punk rock. Their music embraces rock, jazz, klezmer, drum'n'bass and downtempo, among many others.
Dressed in improvisation, groove and genius, innovation and ordered chaos, this year Wojtek Mazolewski, on bass, loop and sampler, Kuba Staruszkiewicz, on drums, Tomek Zietek, on trumpet, and Tomek Duda, on sax, delivered us Punk Freud, an album told in 10 chapters where Pink Freud explore their sound further, combining it with new elements, handing us such a fresh sound, so live and so damn appealing. It looks as if these instruments have a life of their own.
Among the wealthy disorder reigning on this record, there is also time for smooth and delicate soundscapes as on Wszystko Plynie, for beautifully driven sax moments as on Sex Przemoc Lek i Niemoc, for trumpet and sax dialogues as shown on Piasek Piasek Kupa Piasku and for chill-out breezes as on Porno Pogoda.
For Pink Freud it all started back in 1998 when four young lads decided to band, but not just a band...... Almost 10 years later we have among us not a promise but a fact. Pink Freud have been taking their sound throughout Europe and their records collecting positive critics everywhere.
On Punk Freud there is still some time for a new revision of Charles Mingus' Canon and other moments of inspiration and dynamism. Dziwny Jest Ten Kraj, Velvet and Police Jazz are a perfect example of that.
After last year's Contemporary Noise Quintet's debut, this year's jazz world kicks out on its best with Pink Freud.
Check their cover for Nirvana's Come As You Are right here, together with Jazz Fajne Jest (together with a remix by Peepol) right next. Listen to some other tracks at their MySpace.
Never thought I'd go back again to New Century Classics that early.
Never thought I'd be so suprised, again, in one of their concerts.....
New Century Classics (NCC) played this Sunday at Lubu Dubu, presenting their debut EP. This was the best occasion to see how this band had evolved since last time they played live, about one month ago.
Once the concert finished, I must confess that it looked like one year or more had just flew in front of me. How come NCC changed so much in just one month......
All those interruptions between their songs are gone; they sound more sure of themselves, much more confident. The sound?.... This one sounds great, powerful, carrying emotions one can only dream of. Their music can, perfectly, drive you to a state of ecstasy. The swirling sounds, the blasting and tempting melodies, those catchy guitar chords and that melancholic crying violin........
There was time to see Anna on the synths, guitar, egg... Dana on the violin (the sound of her violin gives such a touch to their music), guitar and synths, Marek on guitar and synths, Antonello (the only one that stood with the same instrument throughout the whole gig) on percussion and Mateusz on lead guitar and, as it couldn't be any other way, giving a hand on the keyboards. One hour after, I felt as if it was Saturday morning; a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. I was sure I had seen one of the most interesting concerts this year...
Now back to the EP. New Century Classics released this Sunday their debut EP, curiously entitled EP. As we mentioned before, their debut features Sandbox Love, Children Of An Uncertain Future and Radom Acts OF Happiness (these three tracks can be found at their MySpace), plus Drift Motion and A Small Misunderstanding.
I'll start with the last two. Drift Motion is an exercise that starts softly, with delicately played guitar chords. Beautiful long distorced guitar feeds open space to Antonello's bangs and drums, this time more controlled, until we hit the fourth minute and all their energy is released.
A Small Understanding is one of their typical tracks. The music keeps growing and growing and then.... as fireworks colour those dark and solitary nights, as thunders create that mix of fear and astonishment, so does their music create such feelings. It iluminates, astonishes but does not create fear. Indeed it gives space to hope and satisfaction.
The first three tracks, now re-recorded with Antonello's arse kickin' percussion sound better than ever. I've listened to these five tracks several times nd I just can't let go. It's quite difficult to let go. Their music gets deep into your bones. Their music opens its arms and holds you close, not letting you go. Surrender!!!!
Stealpot is about to release his second album, Indian Saloon. After the highly acclaimed debut, Mass Mess.Age, Szymon Folwarczny is back wih one of 2007's most expected albums.
Earlier this year, this Katowice-based young musician gave us Kimi Na Oto, a track featuring Mondialito's singer, Junko Nishimura. Now, Szymon is back and this time he drops us a mix for this Indian Saloon.
This is nothing but an appetiser for his forthcoming album, but what an appetiser. Most likely, one of Poland's best album for this 2007!!!!
Full-bodied downtempo moments, amazing jazz-scratchy pearls and delicately sung anthems. All this, plus a remix for Bjork's New World.
New Century Classics will be playing live this Sunday, the 1st of April, at Lubu Dubu, in Krakow.
This concert will present NCC's debut EP. This 5 track EP will include Sandbox Love, Children Of An Uncertain Future and Random Acts Of Happiness (these three available at their MySpace), plus two other tracks, with no title so far.
The EP will come out as a limited edition (49 handmade copies), so in case you'd like to get a copy, contact them soon, before it sells out, or drop by Lubu Dubu this Sunday, from 19h.
This night will also see Krakow-based alternative electro-psychotronic rockers Eluktrick and a suprise guest....
"....Why not? We are in love with music, we want to express ourselves by the music... "
This is Vixo. Heading from Zdunska Wola, these youngsters decided back in 2004 to start doing what they loved most; this is, to have a band and play...
Sebastian Stasiak on vocals and guitar; Darek Grabowski on lead guitar; Arek Jaros on drums and Michal Szafarz on bass guitar are the four responsible for the music behind Vixo. This one shines with influences from the 60's and 70's pop rock scene, with this century's post-punk return and alternative pop rock.
Recently they released Fireworks EP. 4 tracks highly contaminated with melodic guitar chords, repetitive and straight to your mind pop chorus and happy drum beats.
The percussion driven and guitar frenzy Lufu, the pop and delicate Do you remember love?, the 80's pop, indie rock drunk and dance friendly Farewell in oblivion and the tempting uhhh uuhh wispers of Nothing can be born from stillness are a perfect visit to their full lenght debut expected to arrive this Autumn, through Love Industry.
Recently they participated on Piotr Stelmach's Offensywa compilation with the track Farewell in oblivion.
"....Our story is very short. We (Marcin, Piotrek) started in 2003 as a project for one album in cooperation with a few vocalists. But when we met Maciek we knew that it was the only voice we were looking for....."
And this was how 96 Project came together. Together with bass player Lukasz Damm, Marcin Limek, on guitar, Piotr on percussion and the lead vocalist Maciek Prusinki, this Radom-based alt-rock quartet released this year their third demo, Numer 3.
After 120 and Here (Anyway), back in 2004 and 2005 respectively, this year sees four new tracks coming to life. My Cause For Life, Life-Phobia, I Take on Trust and Lady-Jail pulse heavily, contaminated with grunge'like guitar and stunning drums.
It is difficult to listen to these tracks and not picture straight away bands like Soundgarden or Incubus. The guitar riffs and Maciek's vocals do take us that way, specially when he sings in English.
Their music possesses good rythmn, melody and energy. It's catchy, it rocks and it kicks arse!!!!. The guitar, drum and bass seem to be on the right place, saying present only when requested.
I received their first single Unaesthetic together with its Polish version, Na znieczuleniu. This latter sounds better than it's English partner. Maciek's sings more naturally and his voice gets a different tone, a better one.
Rasarte is back with another release. This time, it's up to Indy's EP, Sepia.
After the release of their debut demo, Reveal, back in 2003, Pedro Franco, together with Nuno Furtado, Pedro Ramos and Victor Coimbra, share with us, this time, a couple of tracks that swim in classic rock and pop deep seas.
While listening to this release I can't help sharing a certain feeling of disappointment. After the promising Rasarte's debut with Levi, this Sepia turns out to be some points bellow what I expected.
Nevertheless, there are some good ideas in here. From the not so enthusiastic Holly Water, to the the more interesting indie pop Round We Walk, via the Jeff Buckley and Incubus inspired Softly Spoken and Trial, we are taken through a couple of tracks worth listening. The EP closes with the not so good Built Back Up, an acoustic guitar driven track that seems to loose its direction one minute after it started. It wants to be too many things at the same time, ending up sounding too artificial.
Sepia shows a band that is still looking for a direction, for their sound. As a second release it shows some interesting ideas, but nothing more.
Cheesewire, Home Is So Sad, Wor Jackie and Nichola have been added to Fox Gang's MySpace Player. A unique chance to listen to some of the tracks this sextet has been playing around.
All those living outside Krakow, beware!!! The Fox will take their funky reggae rock sounds to Poznan this April. Together with Alien Autopsy, they'll be hunting you at Brogan's Irish Pub. Hopefully, other cities will follow.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Fonzie are back with Shout It Out.
Before its release, on the 26th of March, this Lisbon-based punk rock quartet has decided to have all its tracks available, for preview, at their Myspace.
A total of 12 tracks that for sure, will make all their fans quite happy.
Recommended for most of Green Day, Sum 41 or Nofx fans.
Get to see them live @
24/03 @ Forum Romeira, Alenquer 20/04 @ Paradise, Lisbon 26/04 @ Semana Academica, Figueira da Foz
Shout It Out will see its international later on....
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The electronic music duet Internal Sync will see their debut EP hit the stores on the 23rd of March.
Released by the German label, Klang Gymnastik, this vinyl edition will include the tracks Zero Zero and Lindostrom, plus two remixes for these two tracks, by Monoroom and Ampere (visiting Zero Zero).
You will find Zero Zero EP soon at Flur store, Lisbon, on Decks and on Straight Audio.
Download one of their mixtapes right here. Just follow the link.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** 2 years and half after they started as a band, Monomonkey will finally hit the road and take their melodic rock sounds to a wider crowd, showing some of the music released on their previous demos.
This quartet hailing from Marinha Grande (PT) is set to release simple songs that ought to catch everyone's attention. The music flow nicely on tracks such as Singing Out to No One and In Danger (this being one of my favourites).
It seems that the vocals need some more work, but, as a whole, they seem to be heading on the right direction.
Ricardo Simoes, Pedro Lemos, David Silva and Bruno Juliao are heading to a city close to you. See them live on the:
24/03 @ K2 Club, Cartaxo; together with Pond37 13/04 @ Festival Overlive, Marinha Grande; together with Budhi.
Pat, Jap, Victor, Valerie and Mitch, together with guest Adolfo Luxuria Canibal prepared 12 songs where melancholy meets claustrophobia meets controlled madness meets enigmatic melodies.
Remarkable, cavernous and slowly wispered sexy poetry. Catchy and tempting chorus. Track after track, these songs keep suprising us with their constant mutations. They move from one direction to another, keeping only some traces to the music we listened minutes before.
With lyrics in English, French and Portuguese; inspired in bands such as Mao Morta, Tindersticks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds or Leonard Cohen, it is difficult not to feel attracted to their music, to this variety of sounds, melodies and moods.
As we listen to Urgency, You Said,Pressure, Fisherman's Wife, Montmartre ou Noite Baca, we are taken into several different worlds. Spoken word, alternative, jazz, post rock and pop. Even though some songs fall into the universe of the above mentioned projects, the rest of this debut completes it wisely, giving a different look to this release.
Pat Kay is now on tour in Portugal in one of our recommended tours. Get to see them at:
22/03 @ Maus Habitos, Oporto 23/03 @ Whisky bar , Braga (Vila de Prado) 24/03 @ Musicalia, Braganca 26/03 @ RUC/Santos da Casa, Coimbra 27/03 @ Maxime, Lisbon 28/03 @ Pegadas no Tecto, V.N. Famalicao 29/03 @ Tambor Que Fala, Casal do Marco 30/03 @ Incrivel Almadense, Almada 31/03 @ Espaco Celeiros, Evora
This week, Polskie Radio Trojka released Offensywa, a compilation put together by Piotr Stelmach, featuring some of the most interesting new bands hailing from this very side of Europe.
It is a pleasure for me to see that some of the bands that took part on Thirty something new tales from PL.PT are featured on this compilation. Our congratulations to The Mothers, Sensorry and Phantom Taxi Ride.
After the desolation brought by the 4th volume of Minimax PL (also released by Trojka), these 20 tracks are the breeze we were all waiting for.
Normally on any music compilation there are good and bad moments. I'm glad to say that here, the music selection holds itself from the very beginning to its very last track. There are bands that could have done better, but nevertheless, they have contributed with a good song.
And now a quick tour, track by track.
01. Klara Czubak - Next Time Klara Czubak presents us with a little magic moment. 3 little minutes of intimate guitar chords sung along with Klara's and Kuba's Czubak sweet and delicate voice. Worth discovering. Already on my list "to follow up....".
02. Psychocukier - Sonic Cave We've mentioned them here before, by the time they played in Krakow. This track shows another side to Psychocukier; the sweeter side of those noisy, dirty, fast and furious guitar driven rockin' music sessions. Another good track by Sasza, Piotrek and Marcin.
03. Loco Motive Sun - Oblakany Loco Motive Sun are a quintet (sextet when playing live, together with Krystian Duc taking care of all the visualizations) from Pszczyna. On Offensywa's third track we take a short cut and head straight to the electronic sounds of Ola, Rafal, Darek, Wojtek and Daniel. Addictive beats, loops and chorus. The perfect to dance to on those warm Summer nights.
04. Lili Marlene - Arogancky Lili Marlene are a quintet that has been digging some space for themselves on the Polish indie rock scene. As Arogancky shows us, Kuba, Wojtek, Kornel, Lukasz Wojcik and Norbert deliver us a fast, guitar friendly track, where the post punk and rock sounds of some acts heading from the US and Her Majesty's country, meet the nicely sung Polish lyrics of Lili Marlene.
05. Vixo - Farewell In Oblivion Farewell In Oblivion is a tricky song. I must confess Sebastian's vocals do not impress me that much, but together with Darek's guitar tunes and the rest of quartet, the song ends up finding its way. Still I think Vixo could work out their vocals a bit more, and why not, try singing in Polish.
06. Wy W Dobrej Wierze - Dobre rady Together with Klara Czubak, another good suprise and one of my favourites for this album. Wy W Dobrej Wierze (WWDW) are a pop trio that gathers Krystyna, on vocals and two Stefans on guitar and vocals. Together they are responsible for this beautiful pop pearl. A superb visit card from one of the best pop acts to come out of Poland lately.
07. Muchy - Miasto doznan Miasto Doznan is Muchy's contribution to this compilation. A good indie pop moment, sung in Polish, by this Poznan-based trio. A song that flows smoothly, with a taste of 80's synths and this century's guitar sounds.
08. Phantom Taxi Ride - Leave You Alone I heard PTR for the first time a couple of months ago. Leave You Alone takes us back to the 90's, to the sounds of brit pop, and to those crazy afternoon matinees where boys and girls would swing all day long.
09. Beneficjenci Splendoru - Moje studio Band with a complicated name, specially if you're not coming from Poland. Beneficjenci Splendoru is a one man project. Marcin Staniszewski takes control of all the operations and delivers these lo-fi electronic beats. Jazzy ambients dressed in colourful bits!!!
10. Pawilon - Blisko And from Gdansk, Pawilon. Blisko is the track brought by these 5 lads from Poland's sea side. As they call it themselves, "... Alternative Rock & Western Swing..." at its best. In case you know of any other....
11. The Mothers - Night Life In Big City Night Life In Big City is a favourite of ours. So much, that we featured it on our compilation as well. The Mothers are a young quartet led by Bartek Stolarek. Together with Artur, Jakub and Vojtek, they put us dancing with tracks such GoGo Dancer or Fool Kids Are Dead. A band on which we hold great expectations.
12. Nell - Red Ribbons Their music is inspiring and emotive. Their music breathes Muse and Placebo. Perhaps a bit too much.... Nevertheless, this young quartet has a very good chance, and the quality as well, to do something special in the near future.
13. L.Stadt - Gore L.Stadt are one of my favourite bands in Poland. What so special about them? The way they sound. Lukasz, Adam, Radoslaw and Andrzej cannot commit themselves to a unique kind of sound. The The, Brian Ferry, Velvet Underground,.... you name them yourself!!! Listen to this Gore and then visit them at their MySpace. A band to keep an eye on...
14. Renton - Hey Girl Hey Girl might be one of the less interesting tracks among these 20. The constant uhh uhhh uhh and those fancy clapping, cannot take my mind out of the idea that this is music for teenagers introducing themselves indie whatsoever!!!
15. Sensorry - Glodny slonca Sensorry are mainly a live band. In concert they can free up their unique rock, jazz and funk music sounds. In Offensywa, they introduce us to their sound via Glodny Slonca. By the way, another band to discover at our online compilation.
16. The Black Tapes - Love Letter Another band carrying the post-punk, indie rock flag. Love Letter does not bring us anything special. This song sounds too artificial, not capable of having the sparkle we find at Bus Song Nver. These lads can sound better than this.
17. Saluminesia - 100 dni Another band coming from Poland seaside. This time, from Sopot. Saluminesia are a pop rock quartet that manages to come up with a fine track sung in Polish. Supporting themselves on longer and melodic guitar chords, together with Remigiusz catchy vocals, Saluminesia are a band to follow up, specially if you're in the mood for Myslovitz.
The compilation ends up with the following three bonus tracks:
18. Kombajn Do Zbierania Kur Po Wioskach - Janusz Reaktor i Krystyna Zmrok (bonus track)
19. The Car Is On Fire - Ex Boyfriend (bonus track)
This year's edition of Rockastru's Music Festival is already on the move.....
With Rockastru's on its 11th edition, Kastru's Bar will host some of the most interesting projects hailing from Portugal.
20 bands will then compete for a place under the Sun, during five elimination steps. These will take place on the 21st and 28th of April and later, on the 5th, 12th and 19 of May. The final will take place on the 2nd of June and will have Dapunksportif and another act as special guests.
Therefore, all bands without any commercial edition, contract or label are invited to join this party.
The winning act will have the chance to record an EP, with Rastilho Records taking care of its distribution, two concerts booked at Kastru's and thanks to Audiencia Zero, they will have the change to embark on a tour in Galicia, Spain.
Get listed until the 3rd of April. Join the new music of PT at Forjaes, Esposende, by sending the following required information to:
Rockastru’s 007 - Kastru's Bar Av. Margarida de Queirós, n.º 82 – Forjães 4740 – 438 Esposende Portugal Required Information:
. Name of the band/project . CD with three tracks minimum. Original tracks only. No longer than five minutes each. . Contacts for project's contact person (address, email and mobile/phone) . Name, age, job and contact for all other band elements (same requirements as above). . Band's photo and bio. . Lyrics written or on scan with composer's signature. . Style and musical influences
It is time to reveal one of Krakow's best kept secrets.
Krakow is a city that, within its narrow streets, its old buildings and behind each face that smiles to you, keeps several secrets and gems to itself.
Today, we have the pleasure to reveal one of these well kept secrets.......
They're five!!
They list Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Mew, Muse, Mojave 3 or Radiohead, among others, as their main influences!!
They.... they give by the name of New Century Classics. NCC is a Krakow-based post-rock, indie pop quintet that started their music adventure last years, back in May. Together, they have taken the mission to compose some of the most beautiful music Krakow has listened recently. Delicate and melodic, yet sometimes so emotional and of such strength.
With Anna on synths, bells, guitar, ibook and egg, Antonello on percussion, Dana on violin, synths, laptop and egg, Marek on guitar and synths, and Mateusz on lead guitar, they brings us the soundtrack for our busy days, for our tormented hours. As Sandbox Love or Random Acts of Happinesskick in, it is time for me to lay back and dream.....
Their music has the same effect on me as that of Sigur Ros, Michael Nyman or Mogwai. Melodies in continuous spiral. Dancing lullabies. Instruments that bleed incredibly passionate music. Guitars and percussion galloping as wild worses.
Live this quintet sounds even better. Their music gains another life. It aspires for something huge, something beautiful...... Suddenly we are taken by our arms and we find ourselves in Neverland. As the music fills in the room, we become part of New Century Classics. Our bodies move smoothly to the music slidding out of the guitar and synths, whereas our feet keep up the rhythm, together with Antonello.
Nevertheless, live, there is still space for improvements. The constant change of instruments breaks the mood a little bit, creating these long pauses. I hope that they'll sort it out.
You can listen to Sandbox Love or Random Acts of Happiness, together with other tracks at their MySpace. We recommend it strongly.
Catch them live as well. Their next show will happen on the 1st of April, in Krakow, at Lubu-Dubu.
Hip-hop is and has been of revelant importance in Poland. As on any other movement, there are those that don't do anything special, and then, there are those that take the risk, coming up with something new, something worth discovering. Fisz/Emade (and all their projects), Eldo/Bitnix, Noon, O.S.T.R. and Pezet, are some of those I had the pleasure to listen to and discover what they were up to.
Today, I would like to introduce you to another artist worth discovering. Ladies and gentlemen, Holdcut!!!
Holdcut is one man alone. Together with his beats and breaks, samples and the amazing cut&paste techniques, we are taken to a place where cinema, cartoons, TV shows, everyday situations and speeches meet and get mixed with old funk classics, jazz, soul, downtempo and hip-hop.
Influenced by artists such as Numark, Steinski, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, his music embraces the urban culture, and specially hip-hop, and gives it a completely different look. The approach to this genre is more cinematic, jazzy and funky, blinking an eye to world music (as on the 1001 arabian nights's Mahomed Dreams), saying hello to downtempo tunes and, as it ought to be, accompanied by the exact proportion of scratch.
Once you dig through his music, and specially through his albums, you get aware of the ability to choose that special tune, that special sample. Hanna Barbera, Jack Skelington, Star Wars,....., all sampled and perfectly glued into his music.
Holdcut is as well one of the masterminds behind the recently ceased netlabel Cut-Orgia Recordz. Since 2002, this label released several singles, EPs and albums, including remix albums, from several artists, including Holdcut himself. Now the time has come for him to go forth. The label as we know it will no longer exist. The records, nevertheless, are still available for download, for a certain period of time. Check it as well on his Myspace.
Soon we shall see him releasing a new album, Inept Vision. Not sure on its distribution yet, this album will go deeper into the sounds of nu-jazz, trip-hop, electronic music and hip-hop. In total, there will be 15 tracks, starring guests Duze Pe, Magdalena Dziegiel, Edas, Dj. Krime and Seledyn.
Playlist
01. The New Situation 02. I'll Tell U A True Story 03. Idea From The Studio 04. We were here 05. End It? 06. Inept Vision 07. Furious Feelings 08. End Of Immortality 09. Story About Me 10. Abstract Moment 11. Death & Orchestra 12. Friendship? 13. Other Dreams 14. Forgot Music 15. Remember Me?
Imagine yourself pressing the repeat button over and over again.
Imagine yourself turning the stereo volume up.
Imagine yourself getting your lazy arse to move to some damn good tracks.
Got the idea? I did, because I cannot stop listening to the Tape Loading Error's demo.
TLE is Rodrigo and his fellow companion, his computer. Together they're responsible for the electrifying sounds coming out of your stereo. Catchy refrains, distorced vocals and fast guitar riffs that grab your attention from the very first minute.
Even though TLE debuted last year with a home made demo, it all started in the year 2005. The idea behind it was to play at the music contest Equalizador Lx 06, where, he managed to make it up to the final.
His music takes part of a new breed of interesting projects blooming out of Portugal. U-Clic, Woman In Panic and Peltzer are some of these, to name but a few.
With some new material to share with us pretty soon (the track Goodbye was presented during his last concert in Lisbon's Lounge bar and It's always greener on the other side shall be released within the next couple of weeks), this is one of those projects we are pleased to recommend you.
