Hrdza – Čo mi je, to mi je (Hrdza, 2023)
Slovak folk-rock band Hrdza released Čo mi je, to mi je (What’s Wrong with me is What’s Wrong with Me), their sixth studio album, in late 2023. It includes 12 new songs, mostly written by the band’s leader, Slavomír Gibarti.
Čo mi je, to mi je features a fantastic mix of music rooted in Slovak folk music with powerful harmony and choral vocals; elegant and dazzling instrumental performances; and engaging lead vocals with pop hooks, supported by dynamic rock-style drums.
The recording process started back in 2019. However, most songs were composed and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a crucial effect on the process and the overall sound of the album. “Much more than the band members, it was my wife and our three daughters that were fully involved in the process,” stated Slavomír Gibarti. “When the pandemic broke out, my family moved to a small mountain cottage. I bought a lot of folk drums and percussion, bass guitars, many folk string instruments of the lute family, of which my favorites include the domra, a small bowl-shaped Russian instrument, and the tzouras and baglamas, smaller versions of the Greek bouzouki.
“That time everyone was isolated, so the inspiration came especially from the family. Also, Jaris who directs our music videos, gave a rise to a couple of the tracks on the album. I used to go to the recording studio alone and recorded most instruments myself. I also sang most songs, the other female singers include Susanna Jara, Lucia Gibarti, Barbora Fecková and Martina Ťasková Kanošová.“
Hrdza has been around since 1999, playing original songs composed by its band leader Slavomir Gibarti, whose music forges a strong bond with the traditional culture of his homeland, fusing Eastern European folk elements with other influences. Hrdza is a powerful live act and typically plays summer festivals and bigger outdoor venues. The band is highly popular in their homeland and performs over 80 shows every year, mostly in Slovakia but also in the neighboring countries.
The album Neskrotený entered the World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) at number 4 in April 2019. The subsequent album 22 entered the WMCE at number 4 again in October 2021.
Hrdza Discography
2002 Muzička (Hrdza)
2006 Pod božími oknami (Universal Music)
2009 Hajnajnanyja (Universal Music)
2016 Hrdzavá osemnástka (Hrdza), compilation
2018 Neskrotený (Hrdza)
2021 22 (Hrdza), newly recorded songs, previously released
2023 Čo mi je, to mi je (Hrdza)
Musicians: Slavomír Gibarti on vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bouzouki, tzouras, domra, electric bass; Susanna Jara on vocals; Dominik Maniak on violin solo, vocals; Lubo Šamo on violin; Matej Palidrab on accordion, vocals; Peter Frák on bass; Marek Szarvaš on drums; Šafolka and folk music Dzugasovci on choral singing; Barbora Fecková on chorus and vocals; Martina Tasková Kanošová on vocals; Lucia Gibarti on vocals; Mykhaylo Zakhariya on dulcimer; Dominik Maniak on violin; and Gregor Špener on drums.
Buy Čo mi je, to mi je.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.