- Genres: World
Biography
Thanks to its one-of-a-kind instrumentation, Slede, Zivé Slede quickly developed a highly personal sound among the hyperactive experimental rock scene in the Czech Republic. The trio of guitar, double bass, and bassoon blends elements of medieval festive tunes with art rock complexities and avant-garde dissonances. Their ties with Czech artists like Iva Bittová and Rale remain obvious, but the group also shows similarities with medieval prog rockers Gryphon and chamber rock/Rock in Opposition outfits Art Zoyd and Univers Zero (with an extra folkloric touch and a sense of humor).In late 1994, guitarist Ivan Palacky found himself without a regular band. His previous group, Vkfiiky Bfiich ("Screams of Bellies"), disbanded earlier that year. Looking for new musicians to play with, people who would come from different backgrounds and have different ideas, he met bassist Jennifer Helia de Felice, an American video artist residing in Brno, and the two began rehearsing in January 1995. The name Slede, Zivé Slede ("Herring, Live Herring") was agreed on after Felice rejected Slede, Slane Slede ("Herring, Salty Herring") on the count of her vegetarianism. A few months later, Vkfiiky Bfiich clarinetist/bassoonist Brona Smid joined the small lineup.
The trio played its first concert in September 1995 in Brno. Activities remained sparse for most of 1996 as Slede, Zivé Slede worked hard on its repertoire, forging its identity along the lines of Palacky's musical vision. A first tour of Slovakia in April 1997 led to the beginning of a collaboration with Alternative Music Productions and the release in April 1998 of the group's first album, Milácek Vytvárí Krajinu ("Honey Shapes the Land") on Indies, home of Uz Jsme Doma, Bittová, Rale, and Pavel Fajt.
The next month the group performed its first concert outside of the former Czechoslovakia, appearing at Jazz Marathon in Brussels (Belgium). At a subsequent concert, Frank Stofer, head of the French independent label Sonore, met with them and from this point onward would help them get exposure in Western Europe. In May 1999, Slede, Zivé Slede embarked for a tour of France and Spain, plus a date in Italy, while playing numerous concerts in their home country, including opening for Peter Hammill and Nick Cave.
In August 2000, Sonore released the French version of their first CD under the title Chérie Sculpte le Paysage. In the meantime the group was working hard on its second opus, Rostliny! Rostliny! ("Plants! Plants!"), a very impressive production released in December that year on Indies. A second tour of France followed in June 2001. ~ François Couture, Rovi
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