Marek Pospieszalski’s Octet in s special project with guests, Coals with their electronic beats and catchy melodies, Tropical Soldiers in Paradise with a blend of jazz and dance music, as well as Ugory, Ciśnienie, and Mùlk representing the heavier side of music are the Polish acts joining this year’s edition of East of Culture – Different Sounds. This is the 17th edition of Different Sounds organised by Workshops of Culture in Lublin and the 11th edition held under the banner of East of Culture, a project implemented by the National Centre for Culture with funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and by 3 cities in eastern Poland – Lublin, Białystok and Rzeszów.

The Polish alternative music scene has long been a source of exceptional talent and fresh, intriguing artists, and their presence at the festival is a cornerstone of our event. Anyone familiar with Polish independent music knows that we have a strong presence in Europe across various music genres. From jazz to hip-hop, and guitar alternative to electronic music, our bands have made waves not only in Poland but also internationally, performing at well-known festivals and achieving significant sales. Polish metal has also seen a rise in popularity in recent years. As we gather in Lublin for these festival days, our aim remains the same: to highlight a curated selection of outstanding projects representing diverse musical styles and languages. This year, at the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival, we will enjoy performances by Marek Pospieszalski, a talented saxophonist and composer, along with his octet and special female guests. The jazz-dance group Tropical Soldiers in Paradise and Coals will bring their electronic beats and catchy melodies. For a heavier sound in metal, noise, or avant-garde, Ugory from Poznań and Ciśnienie from Katowice will take the stage. Lastly, the lineup will be completed by the up-and-coming band Mùlk from the Tricity alternative scene, consisting of experienced local musicians.

Marek Pospieszalski Oktet + Anna Pas ̌ ić & Tamara Kurkiewicz -in recent years, Marek Pospieszalski has emerged as a leading force in the Polish jazz and improvisational scene. Undeterred, Marek Pospieszalski carves his own lane in Polish jazz and improvisation. His music boldly shatters expectations, garnering acclaim not just in Poland but internationally. The music world took notice in 2022 with the release of a groundbreaking double album showcasing Polish avant-garde composers from the 20th century. A skilled saxophonist who thrives in collaboration, Pospieszalski excels across various formats, from solo performances to his ongoing duo project Malediwy with Kuba Janicki. However, his true passion lies in large ensembles, typically eight or even ten members strong, as seen at our festival. In this setting, Pospieszalski and his bandmates weave a tapestry of powerful sounds, embarking on incredible sonic journeys fueled by dynamic improvisation. Guest artists harpist Anna Pašić and contemporary percussionist Tamara Kurkiewicz will further enrich the ensemble’s sonic palette during his Lublin performance.

Coals – a duo hailing from Silesia, a nod to their roots embedded in their name, has emerged as one of Poland’s most captivating musical acts, seamlessly blending electronic and alternative music genres. Kacha Kowalczyk and Łukasz Rozmysłowski have crafted their project in a refreshingly unique manner, fusing elements of dream pop, synth wave, ambient, and even folk and hip hop into a distinctly surreal and catvhy style. Their iconic 2015 recording for KEXP has also become a part of Polish music history. Their latest album, “Sanatorium,” has just been released by Pias Poland.

Tropical Soldiers in Paradise – ignites dance floors with a vibrant fusion of jazz, hip hop, electronic, afrobeat, and Latin American rhythms. This seven-piece powerhouse boasts exceptional instrumentalists who weave infectious grooves, electrifying audiences with their uninhibited energy. Their live performances are infused with genuine joy, captivating fans of both intricate jazz improvisation and pure dancefloor abandon.

Mùlk is a breath of fresh air on the domestic alternative scene, hailing from the Tricity area. This band, backed by Mystic Production with two albums under their belt, features seasoned veterans from Me And That Man and Tymon Tymański’s projects. Their music is a potent cocktail of bluesy riffs, driving metal energy, and swirling psychedelic and post-punk textures, punctuated by the occasional hip-hop infusion. Considering their rapid rise and genre-bending mastery, Mùlk has the potential to become a leading force on the independent scene. The Lublin concert is a perfect opportunity to experience their electrifying sound live. Don’t miss out!

Ciśnienie emerges from the experimental fringes of Polish avant-garde, bringing a fresh perspective to this vibrant scene. Hailing from Katowice, Ciśnienie started as a quartet, but has evolved into a powerful quintet, delivering a sound that pushes boundaries. Their music is a sonic labyrinth, where jazz collides with noise and post-rock. This genre-bending approach has made Ciśnienie a highlight of this year’s ESNS showcase, earning them a new international audience. In Poland, they have long been critically acclaimed, drawing comparisons to genre titans like Swans, Fire! Orchestra, and Godspeed You Black Emperor.

Ugory – is a genre-shattering force on the Polish music scene. This Poznań collective, formed in 2015, defies easy classification. Their journey began with experiments in ambient and noise, but has since evolved into a multi-instrumentalist extravaganza. Lyrically, Ugory delves deep into the soul of the Polish countryside, making it a central theme in their albums. Their unique blend of influences and thematic focus has garnered them a Fryderyk Award nomination in the metal category, while their song “Żurawie” even found its way onto the soundtrack for the famous Cyberpunk 2077 expansion.

This year’s edition of the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival takes place in Lublin, from June 27-30, 2024. It is a true celebration for fans of alternative music that prides itself on delivering an eclectic mix of musical styles and genres, ensuring attendees experience nothing short of high artistic quality, originality, and a programme that transcends generations and disciplines. However, this festival is more than just music. Each year, the audience can engage with ambitious literature, captivating cinema, visual arts and photography. They can also take part in workshops designed for families.

The upcoming festival boasts an eclectic lineup of gifted performers, including: Lubomyr Melnyk, the founder of On-U Sound label Adrian Sherwood, the psychedelic dub supergroup AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE, and the RuinsZu project, a joint effort between legendary avant-garde jazz artists from Italy and Japan. We will also see the New York composer and guitar virtuoso Yonatan Gat, lively Mexicans from the band Sonido Gallo, and the phenomenal Halina Rice with her foot-tapping DJ set plus a dark rock performance by Canadian Alex Henry Foster

Admission to the festival remains free, with more announcements coming soon!

More information: differentsounds.eu and nck.pl/projekty-kulturalne/projekty/wschod-kultury

East of Culture – Different Sounds
27-30 June 2024

Lublin, Błonia near the Castle

Admission is free

Organisers: The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, The National Centre for Culture, the City of Lublin, Workshops of Culture in Lublin.