PART 2 (a preview of the official album release, with an interview recap)
A new story from Pelhan, their second. A new chapter built from a decade of experience and two years of polishing ideas. The result of personal growth, friendship, and musical influences. This is the second album from Pelhan, and it officially sees the light of day on April 20. The album carries a title with many meanings: Zgrabi me. The band members leave the album’s common thread up to each listener’s own perception, which takes shape as you listen to the whole record. The lyrics tie into life stories seen through the lens of reality; among other things, into love, such an important piece of life’s mosaic, and into a personal take on the stories life writes, as seen by singer Aleš, the man who got Pelhan started in the first place. I’m happy to announce the release of the new album, along with a recap of part two of the interview, which took place in surroundings familiar to my fellow locals who make music right here. It was an honor to catch “all the culprits” of the Pelhan musical family and have a pleasant chat with them.
The members say listeners can interpret the lyrics themselves and connect them to the album’s title. Zgrabi me has several meanings, after all. The main lyricist finds it hard to generalize about what the title literally means. The bassist chimes in, saying the album ended up taking its name from the song of the same name that’s on the record. The lyrics came together along the way. Sometimes the singer took the time to write his thoughts down, and sometimes he recorded himself when he had no chance to put them on paper. In the lyrics, he reflects on experiencing death, sings about love, confesses a longing for closeness, and touches on addiction to alcohol. One of the guys’ favorites on the record is definitely Somrak, which they’ll release later as a single.
Some of the songs were recorded even before they started thinking about making an album. The album came together as a result of the recorded songs and the songs still in the works. People change over the years, and so did the tunes. To sum up, some of the songs are the result of work with former members of Pelhan, while others came together on the fly, at the band’s rehearsals. The guys don’t want to be pinned down to a genre. You can hear influences from different styles on the record, and that’s just what the band likes about it, since the variety comes from songs being written in different periods.
Drago Popović handled the sound engineering on the album. Production was the domain of Matjaž Švagelj, who took an active part in this story and made sure everything recorded was played and sung live. He also took care of the guests on the album; the result of that collaboration is a less raw, less garage-y sound, which the guys welcomed. The guest musicians include:
- Ana Prijatelj Pelhan – duet (track: 10)
- Barbara Lemut, Jana Hladnik – backing vocals (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12)
- Darjan Colja – backing vocals (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13)
- Mirko Vuksanovič – Wurlitzer electric piano (track: 7)
- Matija Udovič – 1st violin, Peter Jud – 2nd violin, Katja Žekar – viola, Peter Kaiser – cello (tracks: 5, 8)
- Juri Tenze – trumpet, Miha Kralj – trombone, Blaž Terčon – euphonium (track: 12)
- Sandi Blažič – saxophone (track: 10)
- Matjaž Švagelj – Hohner D6 Clavinet (track: 4), Rhodes electric piano (track: 11), Hammond organ (track: 2)
- Moški pevski zbor sv. Štefana, Vipava, artistic director: Marko Fabčič (tracks: 2, 7, 12)
- Peter Smrdel –keyboards (tracks: 3, 6, 9)
- Miha Nedoh – drums (tracks: 3, 6, 9)
- Nejc Počkaj – bass (tracks: 3, 6, 9)
So, ten years of building the story and two years of honing the album have paid off. They’re also planning a vinyl release in a very limited run, as a double compilation. For now, though, the new CD is all we’ll be able to hold in our hands.
The concept for the album cover was Aleš’s idea, and Vesna Zorko drew the sketch. Their collaboration comes from a fun story: Vesna first met Aleš as a Pelhan fan. The singer invited Vesna to work with him and suggested she add color to his idea and put it on paper. The finishing touch on the cover came from the seasoned photographer Miha Dolenc.
Looking back over the whole story, I can’t help thinking about how many ideas, how much enthusiasm, energy, goodwill, experience from other people, precious time, and, last but not least, support from family members it takes to make a product like this.
I believe plenty of people will take the time to listen to this freshly made record and enjoy the music and the lyrics.
You’re invited to listen to the new album, and to the first official live presentation of it, on April 20, 2024, at Hiša mladih in Ajdovščina, at 9:30 p.m. The show will be longer and truly special, made just for the occasion.
Dear guys – my fellow villagers – I wish you lots of success on your journey! Rock on!
Tracklist for Zgrabi me:
1. Zgrabi me
2. Somrak
3. Za naju dva
4. Ena in edina
5. Vsem vse
6. Narava kaže zobe
7. Mrzlo pivo na soncu
8. Priznam
9. Na dnu flaše
10. Prvi ples
11. Ukradem te z neba
12. Karavana sedmih zmajev
13. Ne grem domov
PELHAN are:
Aleš Pelhan – vocals, guitar
Matej Likar – bass guitar
Simon Mislej – drums
Contact and booking: [email protected]
website: www.pelhan.si
FB: www.facebook.com/pelhanofficial
online store: https://pelhan.bandcamp.com/
Author: Silvija Makovec
