Zbava is one-person neofolk music project from the Czech Republic which is inspired by the ancient culture and mythology of West Slavs.
We are happy that you found the time for this written interview, we are all looking forward to hear more about your music journey
Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, my name is Pavel, I come from Prague, Czechia and I try to make music inspired by ancient Slavic culture and mythology of the early medieval times, especially from the area of current Central Europe. I don’t like to categorize it, but I would probably classify it somewhere in the neofolk, dark folk genres with some ritualistic background.
What does “Zbava” mean?
Zbava is the archaic term for freedom from Old Czech language approx. from the 14th – 15th century. This name fits the meaning because making music and connecting to my roots frees my mind and helps me cope with modern life struggles, mental health, etc.
How has you musical journey been until now?
Honestly, I’ve never really thought about my musical journey as a whole. I just make music and sounds that I like, and most importantly, it’s a kind of therapy for me, an escape from reality, and a way to connect with the land of my ancestors and their legacy. Of course, I’m constantly trying to work on myself in some way and improve techniques, procedures, or concepts, but that’s up to the listener to judge.
How long have you been producing music?
It will be something about 10 – 12 years I think, but project Zbava I started in 2021 I think.
Have you always produced this kind of music, or have you been into other kind of music as well?
When I was younger I experimented with several genres, like electronic music, ambient, producing rap beats and many kinds of experimental things, but I never felt like it was right for me and after a while I always got bored with it. The older I got, the more I was interested in our pre-Christian roots and history and then I got also into folk music and projects like Wardruna or Danheim and I was like “damn, why not start something like that, but in my own way and in my natural cultural area?” So I basically connected my interest in music and history, and it was like Zbava was born. With this, I’ve basically finally found what I have been looking for all this time and what finally fulfills me.
Have you ever been in a band?
No, I always prefer to work solo, it gives me more flexibility and the opportunity to achieve the desired vision. But who knows, maybe I just haven’t come across the right people yet and who knows what the future holds.
Do you sing?
Not yet. I’m slowly trying to work on my voice, but for now I only dare to record my voice for some atmospheric background lines and some speeches/ritual incantations. But one day I would of course like to record a full-fledged vocal.
Have you done any collabs and would you like to share with whom?
Yes, I constantly work with the amazing Polish singer Zorie from the folk metal band Jerna. We already did 2 songs together, “Pǫtь Mьrtvyję Dušę” and “Zemь Ogňa” and we are currently working on another song, which will finally have full lyrics and will appear on my new album, I’m very excited about it!
Would you like to do collabs?
Of course, I’m open to any interesting collaboration! There will be 2 more collaborations on my new upcoming album – the first one is with Czech neofolk band Lichočar from Brno and the second one is with Anastasija from North Macedonia who master’s traditional Balkan singing techniques. I have a very good feeling about all these collaborations, and I feel that it takes the overall atmosphere to a new level.
Do you have a favorite track yourself or maybe a band?
Ufff, there are a lot of them. First of all, I love black metal stuff, especially the atmospheric, epic and folkish ones. For some example, Windir, Havukruunu, Moonsorrow, Burzum, Grima, Slavland…
Just like I love ambient/neofolk projects like Perunwit, Pragnavit, Ugniavias, Kaspars Bārbals and many many others. All of these things together definitely have some influence on my work, but I try to control my inspiration, of course, there is a very thin line between inspiration and stealing, even if it can sometimes be unconscious.
Do you believe in the old ways yourself?
I can’t say that I believe in the old ways in the classical sense of the word, but indeed I feel very strong connection to the nature, my land and I’m very close to the old philosophy of the basic principles of the development of nature, life and natural cultural development of the old pre-Christian times. It’s something very natural for me. In Slavic languages there is a term “příroda/přirozenost”, basically something which is “při rodu” – with/within genus. That’s probably how I would describe it.
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
First of all, definitely in the old Slavic culture and mythology, nature and the land of my ancestors. It’s a natural muse that always evokes feelings, atmosphere and energy in me, which I can always transform into music. Basically they are images and sceneries in my head that I transform into sounds. Also, my interest and joy in black metal can have a certain influence on my things, especially the atmospheric ones. I have always liked darker and more mysterious things, so this atmosphere naturally emerged from that. Not all the things I do are downright dark, but most of them are. I also try to harmonically and melodically base my music on archaic types of folk music, which have managed to be preserved in some form in several regions of Central and Eastern Europe.
Do you have any music education, or have you learned yourself?
No education, I’m self-taught.
How many instruments do you play on?
Since I’m quite lazy in some ways, I can play only a little piano, but I haven’t really pushed myself to anything yet, I primarily use keyboards with live instrument sounds, plus some percussion and my voice.
Can it be hard to find time for the music when work an life in general comes in?
Yes, it’s quite difficult sometimes. After a day’s work, I often feel exhausted and tired. I try not to give in to it, but sometimes tiredness takes its toll and then creativity is worthless.
Do you have any other interest like sport, crafting or carving – maybe gaming?
Since I’m Czech, I love beer and the whole beer culture, including discovering new breweries and new flavors (and of course mead, the drink of the gods). I also really enjoy nature walks and visiting old historical places connected, of course, mainly with the pre-Christian era, where I draw inspiration and energy. I also watch some older movies from time to time and try to read as well. Unfortunately, there is no time left for gaming anymore. I would really like to play the new Kingdom Come or Witcher, but there would have to be like 60 hours in a day.
What track means the most to yourself and why?
Honestly, the older my tracks get, the more I dislike them (the first two projects are crap for me), but that’s probably some kind of natural process of self-development and progress, I guess. But I would probably mention the last track “Golsъ Svętovita”, for which my first official video clip was also shot. The process of creating the video was quite challenging and lengthy, but I have nice memories of it and I really like the message of the whole thing.
Anything new coming soon from you?
I’m currently trying to finish my upcoming album. There will be a few singles coming out before the album, so I’m trying to get them done as soon as possible, but things are going slower than I want (as usual). But I’m hoping to have it out during the summer.
Do you have anything you want to share with us about your music?
Thank you to everyone who supports and listens to my music and stay tuned for new stuff coming out soon (I hope).
We would like to thank you for answering our questions about your music, and glad we could do this written interview, sure many are happy to get to know you better….
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