Ikarus Uncovering “Plasma”
“Plasma” is the title of the fourth and latest album from the self-styled groove-jazz quintet Ikarus. Released on 25 February 2022 via Ronin Rhythm Records. The band was formed by composer Ramon Oliveras to explore the dynamic possibilities of an interaction between wordless vocals and an instrumental line-up consisting of percussion, piano, and upright bass. […]
Joyously “Hypersensitive” with Afra Kane
At last, an Afra Kane debut album! It is called “Hypersensitive” and was released on 4 March 2022 by Mother Supreme Records. With a truly unique style of jazz-inflected soul with hints of classical music as well as Nigerian gospel, Afra Kane has been gathering accolades for quite some time now, including winning the solo […]
Dive into the “Swamp!” with Kind & Kinky Zoo
No, they’re not the hot and dark club for clients with strange tastes their name might suggest! In fact, Kind & Kinky Zoo are a four-piece from Lausanne in the French part of Switzerland, purveyors of psychedelically inflected funk grooves often fronted by a real organic flute and infused with the spirit of “Shaft”. “Swamp!” […]
m4music Is Properly Back! 25 + 26 March 2022, Zurich
Our home festival m4music is back in style! After a Covid-related exile in the Siberia of the digital world, m4music is at last an event again with people, concerts, audiences, bars and, of course, a series of Swiss Music Export events. For instance, we’re hugely looking forward to celebrating our return to real handshakes and […]
Celebrating the French Song at Voix de Fête Genève – 14 – 20 March 2022
Launched in 1999, Voix de Fête conference/festival offers a unique insight into the wide range of song writing styles across the francophone world. With well over two hundred business professionals amongst the audiences, fifty artists will present their live shows on seven separate stages around Geneva. Amongst the Swiss artists appearing at the festival are […]
Zeal & Ardor Discover Who They Are
11 February 2022 sees the release of Zeal & Ardor’s new album, their third via the Brighton-based MVKA. Tellingly, it is entitled “Zeal & Ardor”. “With this eponymous album we have arrived at the sound I have always imagined this project should have”, says Manuel Gagneux, the man who dreamed up the gospel/death metal-fusion concept […]
Emilie Zoé Says Hello to Her Future Me
Emilie Zoé releases her latest album, “Hello Future Me”, on 11 February 2022 via Hummus Records. After two collaborative albums with Young God Franz Treichler (/A\) and theatre/soundtrack composer Christian Garcia Gaucher (“Pigeons”), “Hello Future Me” marks a return to a more conventional and quieter singer/songwriter. Recorded with her long-term musical partner, the percussionist Nicolas Pittet, […]
Blind Butcher Counting the Days
The raucous guitar/drums/pedals duo Blind Butcher from Lucerne have hit on a novel idea to release their new album – they will do so in twelve steps, with one new song available to download from their homepage on the 22nd of each month. First off in January was the footloose glam-punk track “Flash Snap Shot”. […]
Zian Throws off His Burden
Singer/songwriter Zian’s debut album “Burden” was released on 28 January 2022 – days later it landed at number two in the official Swiss charts! Blessed with a deep, flexible and tremolo-laced voice, the Basel-based and Sony-signed artist arrived from nowhere in 2021 when his single “Show You” became one of the bigger hits of the […]
Bonaparte and Sophie Hunger Hobnobbing with Daft Punk
Bonaparte and Sophie Hunger, plus LCD Soundsystem’s bassist Tyler Pope and the drummer Wouter Rentema – not the most obvious combination of artists we could have thought of. But there’s an easy explanation. “One of the few great things about the pandemic”, it says in their press release, “was that musicians had enough time to […]
