Google them, and you will mostly find Punčke billed as a punk band. But that is not nearly the whole story. They could just as well be described as an alt-rock, indie or maybe even grunge band. All of this is by design, as they are actively eschewing a single descriptor.
Kawaski 3P (Balkan Express 172)
As a seven-member act and with a wide variety of musical instruments at their disposal, punk turns out to be a very broad description of Kawasaki 3P and their music. Check them out on this week’s Balkan Express.
Chui (Balkan Express 165)
Boldly going where no band has gone before, Chui are an amazing mix of jazz, electro, hip hop, rock and science fiction. As well as science fact. A musical gem if there ever was one, this Croatian band more than deserved its place in the Balkan Express orbit.
Them Moose Rush (Balkan Express 162)
Them Moose Rush, a Croatian alt-rock band, occasionally sound a bit like Björk, but less suicidal. If you’re into math-rock, then this week’s episode of Balkan Express is for you.
Pseća Plaža (Balkan Express 159)
Pseća Plaža hail from Croatian capital of Zagreb. And although they’ve been around only since 2016, they went through several lineup changes, eventually stabilizing as a five-member act, doing psychedelic surf rock. And yes, that’s a thing.
Radio Luksemburg (Balkan Express 157)
The music of Radio Luksemburg sounds as if it was born old. Fully formed, without any infantile rage or teenage self-importance. The band came to this world for tell us their story and then blend into the background until it was needed again. In this, they are a rarity among contemporary Balkan bands who rarely know when to ease off.
Bad Daughter (Balkan Express 152)
Bad Daughter is a Croatian indie-pop artist who entered the scene about three years ago and immediately changed the landscape of urban music in the country. For the better, obviously. Her debutante album pocketed a porin, the Croatian music industry award and won praise by fans and critics alike.
Shades of Eurosong (Top of the EU Pops 11-03-24)
If last week we though we had plenty of new tracks on Top of the EU Pops, this week asked us to hold its beer. Not only are there Baby Lasagna and Joost, from Croatia and the Netherlands respectively. There’s Dua Lupa, too, and Diplo, with its Track of the Week here on Ara City Radio.
Psihomodo Pop (Balkan Express 149)
Croatian pop punk band Psihomodo Pop are an institution unto themselves and as such deserve a place in the pantheon of Balkan rock and roll.
freekind. (Balkan Express 148)
Freekind are Croatian pianist and vocalist Sara Ester Gredelj and Slovenian drummer Nina Korošak Serčič. The two met in Austria (which, some Germans would argue, is a Balkan country, too), and kicked off a collaboration in 2019 which seems to be destined for greatness.
Šumski (Balkan Express 145)
Šumski are a slightly psychedelic Croatian rock band, with a penchant for ethno motives, Dadaistic sounds and added noise, pretending to be pop-rock pieces. Think of them as the Croatian version of the Dutch band Focus, but sans the flute.
Irena Žilić (Balkan Express 144)
As a singer-songwriter, Irena Žilić is a late bloomer by any definition. But even though she discovered her passion for music fairly late, she grew by leaps and bounds, even touring with Morcheeba.
Silente (Balkan Express 138)
Silente are an unusual band that manages to stand out in the crowded Croatian pop-rock field. Leaning into their string section, they produce a unique sound that immediately drew the attention of fans and critics alike. It also earned them a spot on Balkan Express on Ara City Radio.