hungarian music

January 26, 2007 8:58 PM

I'm looking for some modern Hungarian music, with Hungarian lyrics, preferably somethings with a bit of an electronic influence.

Something along the lines of Ladytron or Block Party would be ideal, or more rock-ish, like Metric. Really not terribly picky though. I've been going through stuff on youtube, but haven't found anything amazing yet. Help me hivemind!

posted by glip to Media & Arts (8 answers total)

Bulgaria != Hungary, but Bulgarian Popfolk sounds similar to what you are looking for. Except that it's, you know, not Hungarian.
posted by rossination at 9:30 PM on January 26, 2007

I like Gangsta Zoli, who's actually somewhat "rap," but he's got some interesting music that's pretty tranced out, with a dubbish influence and melodicas and whatnot. His lyrics are funny. He tends to spell his name different ways (or someone does), so "Ganksta Zolee" and permutations thereof may also turn some stuff up. I have several friends I write daily in Hungary, so I'll ask them as well. I'm more into folky stuff myself.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:30 PM on January 26, 2007

Response by poster: Quick clarification -- I realise that Ladytron is Bulgarian, I suppose I should clarify that a Hungarian band that was musically similar to Ladytron would be prime. Rap is fine too, I guess.
posted by glip at 9:41 PM on January 26, 2007

Here are the results of a Google search for "Hungarian electronica"... Hope you can find something with it.
posted by amyms at 9:43 PM on January 26, 2007

The biggest street party in Hungary is the yearly Budapest Parade, it showcases a lot of Hungarian artists. The focus is more on the Techno side though, and not that many of them use vocals.

The parade ends up at the Sziget Festival a week long festival on a mini island in the Danube. Sziget has a much wider range of music, but there are more international acts (Soft Cell and the Fun Loving Criminals headlined when I was there a few years ago).

I'd say your best bet is to dig through the past programs at the Sziget site, groups without a country code are often Hungarian and there are quite a few of them.

When you have a group name you can often find a taster on Youtube:

Quimby
Anima Sound System
Kispál és a Borz
Sziami
Tankcsapda

Thanks for asking this question, looking through some of the music videos brought back a lot of memories, especially the Quimby stuff.
posted by Olli at 3:40 AM on January 27, 2007

where can I purchase albums, .mp3s by Ganxsta Zolee (Gangsta Zolee) not sure...I haven't found nothing with google fu, no itunes I live in SF if anyone knows a good spot for hungarian music

thanks
posted by jonnygemini at 10:27 AM on January 27, 2007

I cant believe nobody has said : Yonderboi

Its not Hungarian (language) but I believe he is classified as "Hungarian trip-hop".

His album "Splendid Isolation" is freaky/beautiful/amazing/ambient/etc..

Its a great listen.. all the way through...
posted by jmnugent at 1:08 PM on January 27, 2007

The soundtrack of movie 'Kontroll' is cool. (The movie is worth checking out as well.) Mostly (or all?) intrumental tracks though.
posted by of strange foe at 2:08 PM on January 28, 2007