The programme of the first Garage stage at Pohoda 2024
Check the programme of one of the Garages at Pohoda 2024. The curators of this stage are our friends from the PINK WHALE club Lubo Šoška and Jazvec.
10. April 2024
Marek (SK)
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Music project from Spišská Nová Ves, which creatively combines the sounds from post-punk, to trap, to the roots of alternative emo. Marek, the mastermind behind the project, has been creating music since 2022, boasting a discography of nearly 3 hours. His lyrics often explore themes of love and nostalgia, but also delve into darker territories such as self-harm, suicide, medical conditions, dysmorphia, and the impact of addictive substances on one's personality.
"Marek is an absolute game-changer in our local underground scene. He emerged seemingly out of thin air, dropped a couple of albums in just two years, and now, all the young crowd is flocking to him. And you know why? Because he is great at what he does. Personally, I'd recommend both of his projects (Marek and also Spánok v lese letargie), because Marek brings something distinct to the table in each," remarks the curator of Garage, Jazvec, about the booking.
post-hudba (CZ)
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The electronic duo post-hudba is now an established name on the Prague alternative scene – after a tentative start between 2011 and 2013, where singer-songwriter Dominik Zezula and producer Tomáš Havlen released their first three EPs, the band took a six-year hiatus. But they came back strong in 2019 with Není se na co těšit, and then Svět na konci roku nula (2021). Their third album, My všichni tady a teď (2023), bridges the gap between their more experimental side and classical songwriting. Think strong choruses, live guitars intertwined with dance beats, echoes of UK garage, and lingering hyperpop, hardcore, and indie folk influences. All wrapped around heavy lyrics about the end of the world as perceived by today's thirty-somethings.
"This was my most-played "local" band in 2022. Great lyrics, dark and depressing for sure, but with a hint that somehow, we'll make it. We just have to, even when battling the demons within and around us every day. Their music isn't complicated, but it's precise and undeniably gritty. Live, they're pure energy. They sell out shows wherever they play in the Czech Republic. After this gig, I really hope the same happens in Slovakia. Highly recommended," Lubo Šoška, the curator of Garage, adds about the booking.
Neue Welt (CZ)
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The four-piece post-prog band Neue Welt is one of the great discoveries of the Czech music scene. They released their debut album, V Nebi Je Zle, last year, which even landed them Album of the Week on the Vinyla platform. Their music is heavily influenced by both the Czech underground music and the global independent scene, so you can always expect something interesting and new from them. They mix blast-beats with piano passages, so it's all about contrasts in their sound. Neue Welt is also part of the art collective 6000 Ωveček.
"Neue Welt has been a revelation for me. I've had their music in my headphones for months now, and I knew right away I wanted them on our stage. It's been a long time since something grabbed me so quickly at first listen, and I keep finding new favorite tracks on the album. When they played their first Slovak concert at our PINK WHALE, it blew everyone away. They've recently sent me some new stuff they're working on, and I'm really looking forward to the next album. If they don't go crazy, they definitely have the potential to play on a big stage someday," adds Lubo Šoška, the curator of the Garage, about the booking.
Black Light (SK)
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This young thrash metal band from Košice is currently dominating the local scene. They have been delivering a fresh mix of thrash and death metal with a modern sound since 2014. They're gearing up to tear up the garages with their quality sound. The guys are currently working on their third album, and they will offer you a little taste of it live on stage this July. Long hair, circle pit and speed – it's going to be amazing; it's going to be metal.
"Thrash metal isn't exactly a common sight in Slovakia, and finding a band that does it justice on a professional level is even rarer. Personally, I only came across them in 2021 with their Firestealer EP, and it dawned on me just how underrated they are. They definitely deserve more exposure! With their razor-sharp riffs, right opinions, and high-energy live performances, they've got it all," adds Garage curator Jazvec about the booking.
XCES liveset (SK)
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XCES' performances are described by everyone as unforgettable and mind-blowing experience, and we can certainly attest to that. XCES is a dynamic band and art collective known for delivering an audio-visual experience transcending genres, with themes ranging from information overload to social alienation through media, meme culture, meta-irony, and AI.
Their debut, IT'S HAPPENING, effortlessly transitions between electronica, doom metal, experimental rap, poetry, soundscapes, and noise. Among the formats they present is the XCES liveset, featuring a duo comprising Tomo Michalčák and Štefan Tomko, primarily utilising vocals, guitar, and electronics.
„The first time I accidentally stumbled upon XCES at SHARPE, I was completely blown away. I immediately dragged them to our club, the Pink Whale. The sheer energy combined with meticulously crafted music and a stunning light show left me in awe. While they're performing with fewer members in the garage, they've managed to encapsulate everything I adore about XCES in a smaller setup. Grab a bag of some sort because you'll want to carry this experience with you. Tomo Michalčák and the rest of the band approach their craft with utmost seriousness, and you can truly feel it,“ remarks Garage curator Lubo Šoška about the booking.
Kontrola Kvality Reality (KKR) (SK)
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Kontrola Kvality Reality (KKR) is a new project by Lyrik H and Rentip that has managed to grow older. As a duo, they already released an album by the same name at the end of 2022. Now, Luboš Ežo Ambrozai has joined them on massive drums during live performances, and he's already stayed on as a full-fledged band member for their forthcoming EP.
This isn't an idyll, lamentation, or mourning over the world's burdens. It's a self-assured statement by mature people about the everyday realities of being and non-being. Rentip speaks through his electronics, which oscillate between dirtiness, precision, and noise. Ežo speaks with drums bigger than the world, and Lyrik H with words that pull you in, devour you, and spit you out.
"Garage at Pohoda is primarily a space for young, up-and-coming bands. So the choice of KKR might seem a bit out of place. But even though KKR are established veterans – Lyrik H, Rentip and Ežo Ambrozai are a new project. And it's very different from their better-known production. The darkness in Lyrik's lyrics is stripped of the usual rap ego trips and fused with Rentip's industrial electronics. It's not a caress. It's not a thank you to your fellas or a diss track. It's a mature and honest punch between the eyes," says Garage curator Lubo Šoška about the booking.
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