In January 2016, the Central Eastern European (CEE) region will be the focus region at Eurosonic Noorderslag. The first seven acts confirmed to perform at the 30th edition of the European Music Platform are; Alina Orlova (LH), Bokka (PL), Jonathan (HR), June (MK), Ludovik Material (SL), Momend (LV) and Middlemist Red (HU).
Peter Smidt, creative director Eurosonic Noorderslag:
“We find it extremely exciting to present this yet unknown talent from the Central Eastern region to the rest of Europe. These seven acts are the first of a larger group of acts from the CEE region to perform at Eurosonic Noorderslag in January. Keep an eye on our socials, because there is more to come!”
Fruzsina Szép (co-founder of CEETEP and co-organiser of the CEE Focus @ Eurosonic 2016, Festival Director – Lollapalooza Berlin, Hörstmann Unternehmensgruppe) added:
“I have a great message to all of the curious delegates of our musical family coming to Eurosonic: You will experience loads of Central-Eastern European power, soul, love, magic and surprises what the amazing artists of the CEE Focus has to offer.”
CEETEP (2010 – 2015)
The focus for 2016 is the conclusion of the Central European Talent Exchange Programme (CEETEP). Together with 18 CEETEP festivals in the CEE region and selected CEE media partners, Eurosonic Noorderslag and co-organisers Sziget and Exit Festival, have developed a plan to encourage the circulation of CEE artists and repertoire in Central and Eastern Europe, both at festivals and in the media. By working together, the CEETEP festivals and their media partners aim to help more CEE artists perform across borders within Central Eastern Europe, and, via shows at Eurosonic Noorderslag, throughout the whole of Europe and beyond.
The 13 focus countries in the CEE group are:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. View the 18 CEETEP festivals.
The CEE-focus will be organised by: Fruzsina Szép (HU/DE), Exit (RS), Open’er Festival (PL), Pohoda (SK), Waves Bratislava (SK), Talinn Music Week (EE), Guna Zuika (Creative Industries Council at the Ministry of Culture, Latvia) (LV) and Eurosonic Noorderslag (NL).
Eurosonic Noorderslag takes place between January 13th-16th 2016 in Groningen, The Netherlands.
Artist Profiles
Alina Orlova (Lithuania)
Alina Orlova is equal parts singer and poet. This eccentric Lithuanian artist creates theatrical, expressive Baltic folk pop. Her outstanding voice glides effortlessly between playfulness and melancholy, accompanied by cascading piano melodies, vibrant strings and the occasional accordion. On her last album ’88’ (2015), Orlova infuses her sound with an unexpected ’80s elektropop influence, which works surprisingly well.
Bokka (Poland)
Bokka is a mysterious Polish musical project. The band members continuously change, but they always consist of famous Polish musicians, who all wear masks on stage. Nobody knows who they are, or when which band member will be performing. This clever and artistic band’s music is like dreamy synth pop – very filmic, but it also has swing. Also interesting: the beats are created by recording samples of sounds made by everyday products, such as bottles, boxes, glasses – whatever you can come up with.
Jonathan (Croatia)
Jonathan’s passionate indie-rock anthems emanate a frenzied call-to arms fortitude. Looming large within the Croatian quintet’s music is the notion that optimism only carries true weight when you’ve treaded more downtrodden paths. The name Jonathan alludes to a strong sense of unity, a band truly prospering like a strong individual who inhabits a personal set of traits and whimsies.
June (Macedonia)
Skopje based folk pop trio June began in 2007 as singer-songwriter Bojana Nizamovska’s solo-project, churning out rootsy, sun-drenched tunes with a soothing and restful quality to them. June has released two LP’s with sophomore album ‘Indian Summer’ applying more ornamental, jazzy instrumentation than its predecessor Someday Soon.
Ludovik Material (Slovenia)
Ludovik Material apply swooping groovebox beats and warped electro-punk bluster to catchy rave-like pop tunes. Led by delightfully cocksure vocalist Tina Peri?, Ludovik Material’s sound feels very much akin to The Faint, Peaches, The Gossip and Fischerspooner, albeit in a more gloomy, goth-like vein.
Middlemist Red (Hungary)
Heavy bluesrock grooves are the starting point for the psychedelic trips Middlemist Red undertake on their debut album ‘Supersonic Overdrive’ (2014). One moment these young Hungarian lads will burn with feverish frenzy, the next they’ll sound effortlessly mellow. A multitude of guitar effects create a sound that balances right on the edge between vintage and innovation.
Momend (Latvia)
With two albums under their belt, this Latvian four piece have displayed two different musical personalities. Their Debut record ‘Episodes of Trust’ (2012) immersed itself in warm folky sounds and whispering percussion, whereas the follow-up ‘Spirals’ (2015) is distinctly edgier and more dynamic. Expect meandering indie rock songs, melodic electric guitars, pulsating rhythms and perhaps some slightly sinister twists and turns.
About Eurosonic Noorderslag
Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key exchange and networking platform for European music, with a proven track record for helping to break new acts on the international live music scene. A sold-out event for many years, Eurosonic Noorderslag attracts over 3,900 professional delegates, including representatives of over 430 international festivals. Eurosonic Noorderslag presents showcases by more than 300 acts alongside a conference programme featuring 175 panels, keynote speakers, interviews, workshops, dinners, pitches, parties and meetings covering the latest developments in the international music, media and interactive industries.
Each year a different focus country is highlighted at Eurosonic Noorderslag showcasing the diverse musical talent across Europe. Other countries who have been showcased at previous editions include France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, The Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Austria and Iceland.
Eurosonic Noorderslag has been responsible for kick-starting the careers of European acts like Ásgeir, Aurora, Bastille, Dotan, Ibeyi, James Blake, Jett Rebel, Hozier, Milky Chance, Royal Blood, Seinabo Sey and Vök. www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl
Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@46.32.240.39