Slovak band Sinner Self just dropped their new single “Malignant” today across streaming services, with the official music video set to premiere on YouTube on May 25th. Radovan from the band used the run-up to talk less about the track itself and more about what it actually costs to be a band like theirs.
The new song marks a step toward what the band calls “a heavier sound, a distinct atmosphere, and raw energy,” all of which they say they aimed to capture in the accompanying video arriving next week.
The conversation around that release turned quickly to everything sitting underneath it. Asked about pitching their music to media outlets, Radovan was direct.
“Super frustrated thing is being ghosted and magazines being so rude not to even respond to a press pitch,” he said. “Like if you don’t want us featured, at least say so. It is normal business. You either say YES or NO, ideally with a reason.”
His read on the wider problem was sharper still: in his view, much of the underground music press doesn’t actually care about the scene it claims to cover. “All they care about is clicks to their articles for ad revenue.”
His own definition of a good promoter goes further than writing about bands. “What I imagine a good promoter being is not only writing articles but actually talking to the bands to get to know their life. Visiting shows and networking. It is all just words but no acts.”
That sense of disconnect also surfaces when he talks about the Slovak scene itself. Radovan didn’t hedge on where he places Sinner Self inside it. “In Slovakia, I firmly believe, not trying to brag, that we are the best band to bring the best show, and we actually care so it is visually and musically appealing even for someone not listening to that kind of music.” Their stated goal is to keep moving rather than settle. “We are trying to bring new ideas every time, we don’t want to stay in an endless cycle like 80% of bands. We are in constant ‘pain’ being outside of our comfort zone.”
The pressure around the band is less about one release than the amount of extra work expected from underground artists now. Writing, rehearsing and playing shows is only part of it; the rest is a constant cycle of promotion, content, outreach, design, planning and trying to keep the band visible between songs.
Radovan points to that as one of the more exhausting parts of keeping a band active. The work around the music can start eating into the work of actually making it.
“It is getting VERY hard to actually compose stuff when all you think about is promoting stuff you have already released,” he said. “Because of that there can be big gaps between major releases and that is exhausting for most of the bands, and also during that time you are being forgotten amongst people.”
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“Malignant” is out now on streaming services. The music video premieres on YouTube on May 25th.
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