Czech Singer Lenka Nová Celebrates Milestone Anniversary with Concert Series
PRAGUE—Czech singer Lenka Nová, a fixture in the European music scene, is celebrating her 50th birthday and 35th year in the music industry with a series of concerts this spring. The celebrations kicked off in Pilsen in early April, followed by a performance at the ABC Theater in Prague after Easter. A final concert is planned for fans in Brno in May.
A Career spanning Decades
Nová,a Brno native,began her musical journey as a teenager,joining her first bands and later becoming part of the cult band Laura and her Tigers. Her career has been diverse,but she noted that she feels her position in the music world has solidified in the last decade.Reflecting on her journey,Nová is using these concerts to showcase the various stages of her career.
unconventional Concert Opening Delights Audience
The Prague concert at the ABC Theater featured an unusual opening. Before Nová took the stage, a video was projected, featuring children answering questions about their perception of a 50-year-old. The video proved to be a hit with the audience.
according to the children interviewed, people at that age are often seen as “a little tired, climbs on her old age.” Their stereotypes included a woman “dressed in pink dresses with big corals around her neck,” while a man “is already a classy, with grey-black beard, walks in black trousers and a white shirt as a stick.” Some even suggested that people in their fifties “could do a little sports and the dance would probably go.”
Nová quickly dispelled these notions upon her arrival on stage, radiating energy and youthful enthusiasm. She began her setlist with two songs from her award-winning 2016 album, featuring lyrics written for her by Michal Horáček.
The opening song, she said, was designed to evoke “the purity and naivety of childhood and early youth.” One poignant lyric from the song reflects on simpler times: “What I lack is not a bottle of wine from cotes du rhone or limousine.What I lack more every year is my plush bear with one eye.”
During the title track from her album “Forty,” Nová playfully updated the lyrics to reflect her current age: “She pulls me to fourteen who said forty… actually fifty.” These songs,she explained,represent her musical evolution,focusing on mature themes with meaningful lyrics that address both the joys and challenges of life.
Beyond Chanson: A Civilian Approach to Music
While Nová’s extensive singing experience and the intricate melodies played by pianist petr Malásek and her band might suggest a “chansonnier,” she eschews that label. Her interpretation remains grounded, avoiding theatricality except for occasional moments like a “cabaret composition of rain under the eaves.” She focuses on delivering the lyrics with sincerity, “sometimes whispers, sometimes lets its voice sound to the fullest,” particularly evident in the final performance of “forty.”
Reflecting on Past Successes and Personal Life
Nová also revisited some of her earlier solo work,including songs she hasn’t performed live in recent years. She introduced “the submersible river” from her debut album, produced by Michal Dvořák, as “the most dance thing we will play today.” She recalled her initial optimism upon signing a four-album deal with a major label.
However, she took a break from singing when she married and became a mother. After a few years, she feared her career was over and felt pressured to quickly produce another album. “the album succeeded, the child too, the marriage disintegrated, but I do not regret anything,” she stated candidly, before performing “cat” from her second studio album.
She also acknowledged her collaborations with Michal Horáček, particularly their hit “half -number” – “how the guy looks at me with Nada Válová” which received significant radio play. Additionally, she performed “a slightly bitter perennial to the old wound” from the album “Czech calendar,” which she considers one of her most impactful recordings.
Duet with David Koller and Remembrance of Her Father
Nová invited David Koller as a guest, whom she first met at the Bratislava Lyra in 1990. Koller later wrote the lyrics for the song “now and here,” which inspired nová’s album title. She praised Koller’s musical and personal qualities,stating,”He is one of the few people I think if I called I needed to help with something,they would not hesitate for a second.”
Koller joined Nová on stage for a duet, after she changed from her dress into a trouser suit. Together, they performed “Gyps Love,” creating one of the most memorable moments of the concert.
The concert also featured songs from her latest studio album, “letters,” which was released at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. These songs were inspired by letters sent to Nová by her fans.
The song “Address: Heaven,” released as a single on All Souls’ Day, became a central theme of this period. While Nová did not explicitly comment on the song, it was clear that the recent loss of her father had added a deeply personal layer to the performance: “I miss you all the time, I remember how you played with us.”
The two-hour concert, with its thoughtful selection of songs and engaging storytelling, flew by quickly. Nová explained that the concert title, “Padedé,” refers to the French dance of Pas de deux, symbolizing both her age and her journey through life and music. She credited her guitarist and collaborator, Pepa Štěpánek, with conceiving the name.
Looking Ahead to a New Album
Nová previewed her upcoming fifth solo album with the song “autumn,” accompanied by a video by photographer Alžběta Jungrová. The song sets music to a poem by Václav Hrabě, shaped by producer Petr Ostrouchov. Nová hinted that listeners can anticipate a deeply personal and reflective experience.
The concert concluded with performances of “forty,” “very fragile and sensitively sung songs last night,” and “floor Noster,” leaving the audience reluctant to leave their seats at the ABC Theater.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Lenka Nová celebrating with these concerts? | Lenka Nová is celebrating her 50th birthday and 35th year in the music industry. |
| Where did Lenka nová’s concert series take place? | The concert series included performances in Pilsen, Prague (at the ABC theater), and Brno. |
| What was unique about the opening of Lenka Nová’s Prague concert? | The concert began with a video of children sharing their perceptions of what it means to be 50 years old. |
| Who was a special guest at Lenka Nová’s concert? | David Koller, a musician who collaborated with Nová early in her career, joined her as a guest performer. |
| What inspired the songs on Lenka Nová’s latest album, “letters”? | The songs were inspired by letters sent to Nová by her fans. |
What prompted Lenka Nová to embark on a musical career?
Archyde Interview: Lenka Nová on Celebrating 50 Years & 35 Years in Music
Interviewer: Greetings, music lovers! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Lenka Nová, the celebrated Czech singer, on the occasion of her milestone birthday and her remarkable 35-year career in the music industry. Lenka, welcome to Archyde news!
Lenka Nová: Thank you for having me! It’s wonderful to be here.
A Retrospective Journey
Interviewer: Your recent concert series has been generating significant buzz, marking not just your 50th birthday but also your 35th year of making music. Let’s start at the beginning; what inspired you to embark on a musical career?
Lenka Nová: Music has always been a part of me. Growing up in Brno, I was surrounded by culture. From joining bands as a teenager to eventually finding my place, it has been an organic process. The joy of creating and sharing music with others is something I’ve cherished as the beginning.
Interviewer: The Prague concert opened with a unique video featuring children’s perceptions of a 50-year-old. What prompted this unconventional approach? And what did you make of their answers?
Lenka Nová: It was a fun idea! When you ask children what “old age” looks like, their fresh perspectives can be very insightful and surprising. The concept was to challenge the stereotypes of aging, especially in the context of a music career. I wanted to promptly dispel preconceived notions around what it means to be 50. seeing these kids and their insights before launching into the music was a great way of bridging the gap, right from the start of the show.
Interviewer: you mentioned earlier work from the “Laura and the Tigers” era and also the debut solo album. You’ve expressed that your position in the music world has solidified in the last decade. How would you describe this evolution, and what challenges did you face along the way?
Lenka Nová: The music world is a marathon, not a sprint. There have been times of struggle, of course. Trying to balance career, family, and personal growth is a constant battle for everyone.Over the last decade, I’ve learned to accept myself, my experiences, embrace the vulnerability, and the beauty that comes with life.
Musical Collaborations and Personal Reflections
Interviewer: Your collaboration with David Koller for the “Gyps Love” duet was a highlight of the Prague concert. Could you tell us more about your friendship with David and his influence on your career?
Lenka nová: David is someone I deeply respect, both as a musician and as a person. We met back in 1990 at Bratislava Lyra. When I felt that I had lost a bit of steam on writing my own music, it was David, who got it back on track, and understood what I was going through. He brought an astounding energy and creative drive to the project, and I will forever be grateful for his friendship.
Interviewer: Your latest album, “Letters,” was inspired by fan letters.Can you share some of the most touching or memorable letters you received?
Lenka Nová: Often, when you work on something personal, you get these things back, full circle! This album was born from the feelings sent by the fans: moments of great joy, moments of deep sorrow, the trials and tribulations of everyday life… all written, sent, and turned into music. I wanted those letters, and those feelings to be heard around the world. They became the foundation in many ways. every one of the letters, moved me more than I can describe. They remind me of how interconnected we all are.
Looking Ahead
Interviewer: You also previewed your upcoming fifth solo album with the song “Autumn.” Could you offer any insights into the creative process and what listeners can anticipate?
Lenka Nová: It’s a very personal album, shaped by a lovely poem by Václav Hrabě. Petr Ostrouchov, again a great and wonderful collaborator, helped to form it. I am very excited about it. I hope it offers a deep and reflective listening experience.
Interviewer: One very intimate moment on stage was during the show when you mentioned the recent loss of your father, relating that to “Address: Heaven”. How did this personal loss influence your performance, and what message did you hope to convey to your audience?
Lenka Nová: This song, “Address: Heaven,” became a central theme of this period. It’s the latest song from my repertoire, from “Letters.” It just so happened that I had the recent loss of my father. This really added a deeply personal layer to the performance. I wanted this song to be a festivity of life beyond. While I did not explicitly comment on the song, it was clear that the recent loss of her father had added a deeply personal layer to the performance, adding and reinforcing how much I miss him after he is gone.
Interviewer: what message would you like to leave with your fans who have supported you throughout your career?
Lenka Nová: My fans are the most incredible audience! Thank you for your support, your feedback, and your love. Life is a journey, and I am immensely grateful to share it with you all.
Interviewer: Lenka, thank you for the fantastic interview. It has been a pleasure speaking with you, and we’re certainly excited to see what the future holds for you. we encourage to all of you, our readers to keep showing up and supporting the music that you love.
Lenka nová: Thank you. I look forward to it.
