Negative White

Music is better when shared. — A music newsletter for curious minds. 🌉 bridged from https://www.negativewhite.com/ on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/

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Algorithmic Invisibility

Sound Business #12 • IQ Magazine's market report, Swiss music associations sound alarm, and Visa Moving Music.

11h ago·8 min read·1403 words

ANYX – Ladybirds Spine

Berlin-based ANYX turns overwhelm into defiance. “Ladybirds Spine” sounds like a lit match about to hit spilt oil.

2d ago·1 min read·124 words

Edition #189

In today’s edition, we’re recommending fresh tracks by ANYX, Olive Black, Josh da Costa, Panic Shack, and Sweeping Promises.

3d ago·1 min read·128 words

Offbeat #1 – Packed Spaces, Fewer Stages

Break’s over. Something kept creeping into my mind: the importance of spaces. Komplex 457’s closure announcement (alongside the already known closure of X-TRA) has been sitting with me since we publi…

5d ago·3 min read·464 words

Zigzagging and Bizarre: Corokia’s EP Release Show at Werk21

On Tuesday, May 5th, people gathered outside Werk 21 to celebrate local band Corokia’s debut EP release show, with support from two opening acts that set the tone for the night.

May 25·2 min read·385 words

Sofia Isella: A Night Full of Sharp Social Commentary

X-TRA was brimming with a diverse crowd that night – young and old, and as singer Sofia Isella would later say herself, “a surprising number of men,” too.

May 25·2 min read·375 words

Spotlight: Makthaverskan

Today, we have a slightly different, new Weekly5. This inaugural Spotlight edition takes a deeper dive into the music of Makthaverskan.

May 22·4 min read·693 words

Zurich’s Komplex 457 to fall victim to new high-rise

The Coop Pension Fund plans a new high-rise at Hohlstrasse. The music venue Komplex 457 is currently residing at this location. Zurich will now lose two mid-sized music venues in 2027.

May 6·3 min read·491 words

MzumO celebrates album “Sizzoush” release show at sold out Exil in Zurich

Where approachability meets professionalism.

May 5·1 min read·16 words

MzumO celebrates album “Sizzoush” release show at sold out Exil in Zurich

Where approachability meets professionalism.

May 5·4 min read·661 words

It’s all fine if you’re at the top

The Sound Business #11 • The music market in Switzerland is growing but only few profit.

May 4·1 min read·24 words

Edition #188

This week, we recommend the new songs by Opus Kink, Nancy and the Jam Fancys, SKINSHIP, Satya, and face of ancient gallery.

May 3·1 min read·24 words

Gallery: LEAP at Mühle Hunziken

The British indie rock/pop band LEAP took the stage at Mühle Hunziken, delivering an energetic set. The night was opened by Hana Lili, who set the tone early on.

May 2·1 min read·34 words

Edition #187

Our recommendations for this week: the sensual tracks by Alwa Alibi and Elisa Godino, as well as up-and-coming anthems penned by Silver Firs, Tempers, and Desperately Seeking Suki.

Apr 26·1 min read·30 words

Impala Brigada Isella

The Roundup °21 ✻ New galleries of Tame Impala and Balu Brigada, plus a chance to see Sofia Isella for free.

Apr 24·1 min read·24 words

Edition #186

This week, we recommend the new songs by Tomorrow Woman, Mad Honey, Glazyhaze, Gretel, and MAQUINA.

Apr 19·1 min read·18 words

Gallery: Tame Impala live in Zurich

Tame Impala, the project of Australian singer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker, performed at a sold-out Hallenstadion in Zurich, and I was able to capture them up close.

Apr 15·1 min read·75 words

Gallery: Balu Brigada at Dynamo

On their first headlining tour, Balu Brigada brought their debut album "Portal" to Dynamo Zurich, delivering an energetic set that marked a new chapter for the band. DJ Ryeberry warmed up the crowd.

Apr 12·1 min read·38 words

Grab a copy of our first zine!

After hours of trying out different things, our first ever printed zine is now released.

Apr 10·1 min read·22 words

Prototyping Print

The Roundup °20 with Franz Ferdinand photos, Sofia Isella contest, and some backstage updates.

Apr 8·1 min read·16 words

CLOSED: 2x2 Guest List Spots for Sofia Isella

Musical prodigy Sofia Isella is coming to Club X-Tra in Zurich on the 7th of May. In collaboration with Gadget Entertainment, we are giving away 2x2 spots on the guest list.

Apr 8·1 min read·39 words

Five Years of Weekly5

Our weekly music curation, Weekly5, celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. A retrospective.

Apr 5·1 min read·17 words

Gallery: Franz Ferdinand live at The Hall

On 28 March, Franz Ferdinand, supported by Irnini Mons, made a stop at The Hall in Zurich. Here are our impressions.

Apr 3·1 min read·70 words

Edition #185

In this Weekly5 editon, we are recommending the latest tracks by Tove Styrke, Soft Loft, Aino Salto, MAIKA, and Downtown Boys.

Mar 29·1 min read·23 words

Gallery: Lunik at Mühle Hunziken

On March 27, Lunik celebrated their comeback at the iconic Mühle Hunziken, turning the night into a long-awaited homecoming with an intimate and familiar atmosphere.

Mar 28·1 min read·30 words

Grassroots Levy in Switzerland: Yes, but how?

The Sound Business #10 • Apprenticeship & Music, PETZI Manifesto, and a deeper dive into a potential grassroots levy in Switzerland

Mar 26·8 min read·1452 words

Lone Assembly don’t explode—they expand

Performing their first concert in Zurich, Lone Assembly demonstrated remarkable professionalism, yet still conveyed gripping passion.

Mar 22·1 min read·21 words

IndieSuisse Awards: Fabienne Schmuki receives Special Achievement Award

IndieSuisse, the association of independent Swiss music labels and producers, is presenting the IndieSuisse Album of the Year Award for the 12th time. Fabienne Schmuki was honoured with the Special Ac…

Mar 21·2 min read·317 words

WEMUSIC aims to combine apprenticeship and music-making

As part of the m4music Festival, the association WEMUSIC presented initial ideas and a roadmap for the “Apprenticeship & Music” project. Here’s an overview of the project.

Mar 21·5 min read·858 words

Dream, dance, and despair

Swiss-Iraqi artist 3YOONI performed at this year's m4music festival in Zurich. His performance was as bold and innovative as one can imagine.

Mar 20·1 min read·26 words

Capacitor is back

After months of inactivity, our ‘Capacitor’ playlist is returning with 25 hand-picked pieces of electronic sound art.

Mar 20·1 min read·20 words

BBCC premiere epic track “Campfire” alongside stunning video

Today, we’re proudly hosting the premiere of French band BBCC’s new song “Campfire” and its striking, surreal video, directed by Laura Sifi.

Mar 18·1 min read·30 words

Young and Aspiring is closing down

The music agency is shutting down after seven years in the business. The founders cite burnout and exhaustion has main reasons.

Mar 16·2 min read·317 words

Gallery: Feuerschwanz live at X-TRA

The German Medieval metal band Feuerschwanz played a sold out show at X-TRA on the 13th of March, supported by the opening act Miracle of Sound.

Mar 15·1 min read·31 words

Edition #184

This week, we recommend the new songs by 3YOONI, Biandapid, Francis of Delirium, Baby Smith, and To Athena.

Mar 15·1 min read·20 words

The Roundup °18

In this week's roundup: Pina Palau's new album, a fateful vote, and punk photos.

Mar 13·1 min read·17 words

Dream Nails and Tupfen at Gaswerk Winterthur

London punk band Dream Nails, with support from Zurich's Tupfen, played at Gaswerk Kulturzentrum in Winterthur. Here is our recap.

Mar 11·1 min read·27 words

The SRG is saved—for now

The halving initiative has failed, and public broadcasting has been saved. But the battle is already moving into the next round.

Mar 9·4 min read·714 words

Edition #183

This week, we recommend the new songs by Farveblind, Mary Middlefield, Corella, Haylie Davis, and an Angie McMahon rework of SASAMI.

Mar 8·1 min read·23 words

Die weiteren Aussichten shares new video for “Irgendwas ist anders”

A heartbreaking story of grief, loss, and love.

Mar 5·1 min read·18 words

Pina Palau – You Better Get Used to It

With her third album, „You Better Get Used to It“, Swiss artist Pina Palau presents a storytelling delight, dressed in a raw and honest sound.

Mar 5·1 min read·34 words

Edition #182

This week, we recommend new tracks by Martin Kohlstedt, Lone Assembly, ZART, Wings of Desire, and Girl Scout.

Mar 1·1 min read·20 words

Swiss Male Awards

The Swiss Music Awards will be presented on 19 March. Only 12 of the 42 nominations went to women. Was it better in the past?

Feb 27·1 min read·169 words

Toblerones and Tigermilk: A Night with Belle and Sebastian in Berne

The evening was so captivating that I had to spend the night in the train station.

Feb 27·3 min read·477 words

Fateful Weeks

The Sound Business #9 • Halving Referendum, Swiss Music Awards, and m4music.

Feb 26·1 min read·14 words

Lone Assembly – Knots & Chains

Exploring control on their debut album, the Swiss quartet Lone Assembly juxtaposes darkness, pain, and hope in spectacularly hymnic fashion.

Feb 24·1 min read·26 words

Edition #181

This week, we recommend the new songs by Menke, Camille Camille, GiGi Girls, Temples, and FJØRT.

Feb 22·1 min read·18 words

Black Sea Dahu – Everything

Switzerland’s indie-folk band Black Sea Dahu have created something astonishing with their third album „Everything“.

Feb 18·1 min read·20 words

Zürich Openair cancelled for 2026

Zürich Openair will not take place this year, citing schedule changes of international festivals as the main reason. The music festival is scheduled to return in 2027.

Feb 17·1 min read·32 words

Gallery: The Last Dinner Party and Sunday (1994) at The Hall

On 14 February, The Last Dinner Party and Sunday (1994) transformed the evening into a cinematic Valentine’s Day gathering, filling the room with tense silence and stirring moments.

Feb 16·1 min read·69 words

Edition #180

This week, we recommend the new songs by Malummí, KEZA, midori jaeger, Anna Calvi, and Ora Cogan.

Feb 15·1 min read·19 words

The Roundup °15

In this week's roundup: A review, a gallery, and a contest.

Feb 13·1 min read·14 words

The Beauty of Gemina – Endless Ever

The first single since their 2024 album, „Songs of Homecoming“, finds The Beauty of Gemina returning to their sonic roots. A song that captures a seemingly futile feeling perfectly.

Feb 12·1 min read·36 words

Gallery: Earl Sweatshirt

US rapper Earl Sweatshirt played at Rote Fabrik in Zurich—with Sideshow as an opening act. Here are our photos.

Feb 8·1 min read·22 words

Edition #179

This week, we recommend the new songs by DEADLETTER, Vundabar, Yet No Yokai, Meimuna, and Echo Veins.

Feb 8·1 min read·19 words

The Spark Came Late

A violent thunderstorm broke out on Tuesday evening in The Hall on the outskirts of Zurich. But it had been brewing rather slowly.

Feb 6·4 min read·604 words

CLOSED: 2x2 Tickets for Sivert Høyem

Sivert Høyem is one of Scandinavia's most distinctive voices. As the charismatic frontman of Madrugada, he made music history. We are giving away 2x2 spots on the guest list for his concert on Februar…

Feb 5·1 min read·43 words

Cowpunks and Glampires at Komplex 457

The 69 Eyes proved in Zurich that they still got it even after more than 30 years.

Feb 2·3 min read·492 words

I Spent One Month with the “Boomer” of Music Streaming

If you haven’t quit Spotify yet, Qobuz is a real alternative. One that pays artists far better, but also loves its classics a little too much—just like a boomer.

Aug 20·6 min read·1028 words

An Evening of Melodical Alchemy

On Friday evening, August 15th, three UK bands graced the stage at the Winterthurer Musikfestwochen. A report from TTSSFU, Chalk, and Idles.

Aug 18·3 min read·600 words