Vesna (band)
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Short description|Czech folk band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Vesna
| image = Vesna, 2021.png
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| caption = Vesna in 2021; left to right: Juránková, Ochepovskaya, Fuxová, Mužátková and Čepková
| alias =
| origin = Prague, Czech Republic
| genre = {{hlist|Folk|folk-pop|alternative pop}}
| years_active = 2016–present
| label =
| current_members = {{ubl|Patricie Kaňok Fuxová|Bára Juránková|Olesya Ochepovskaya|Markéta Mužátková|Tereza Čepková}}
| past_members = {{ubl|Andrea Šulcová|Tanita Yankova}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.vesnamusic.com/}}
| associated_acts =
}}
Vesna ({{IPA|cs|ˈvɛsna|pron}}; named after the Slavic goddess of spring){{cite web |date=3 May 2023 |title=Queens of Czechia: Vesna want the crown |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/vesna-want-crown |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en-gb |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717184331/https://eurovision.tv/story/vesna-want-crown |url-status=live }} is an all-female folk band based in the Czech Republic, consisting of five members (three Czech, one Slovak and one Russian).{{cite web|url=https://www.lidovky.cz/orientace/kultura/vesna-kapela-eurovize-my-sister-s-crown.A230501_201608_ln_kultura_ape|title=Kapela Vesna má podle BBC šanci uspět v Eurovizi. České zpěvačky chtějí reprezentovat slovanství|trans-title=The band Vesna has a chance to succeed in Eurovision, according to the BBC. The Czech female singers want to represent Slavs|work=Lidovky|date=2023-05-02|access-date=2023-07-17|language=cs|archive-date=13 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513211918/https://www.lidovky.cz/orientace/kultura/vesna-kapela-eurovize-my-sister-s-crown.A230501_201608_ln_kultura_ape|url-status=live}} The band represented the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "My Sister's Crown", finishing in the top ten in the grand final with a score of 129 points.
History
= Formation and first singles =
In 2016, band frontwoman Patricie Kaňok Fuxová wanted to create an all-woman band that celebrated "femininity and Slavic sisterhood". Although the band is considered to play Czech folk music, Fuxová does not consider themselves to play within the genre, stating "I don't see what we do with Vesna as folklore, they are not folk songs. For me, these are [not] songs that work with those archetypes". At the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory, Fuxová met with future members Bára Juránková, who played the violin, Andrea Šulcová, and Tanita Yankova from Bulgaria, who both played the flute.{{Cite web |last=Hnatek |first=Václav |date=9 June 2018 |title=Aby se každá žena cítila jako bohyně, přeje si dívčí kapela Vesna |trans-title=Girl band Vesna wants every woman to feel like a goddess |url=https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/hudba/vesna-patricie-pata-bohyne.A180607_160421_hudba_vha |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=iDNES |language=cs |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320070129/https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/hudba/vesna-patricie-pata-bohyne.A180607_160421_hudba_vha |url-status=live }}
= {{lang|cs|Pátá bohyně}} =
In 2018, Šulcová and Yankova both left the group, and were replaced by Russian pianist Olesya Ochepovskaya and Czech drummer Markéta Vedralová. In that same year, the band released their first studio album, {{lang|cs|Pátá bohyně}} ({{translation|"The Fifth Goddess"}}). In an interview with Czech news magazine {{lang|cs|Týden}}, Fuxová stated that the album was inspired by both real life events that she had faced and by Czech stories and fairytales.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=21 November 2018 |title=Vesna představila debutové album Pátá bohyně |trans-title=Vesna presented their debut album Pátá bohyně |url=https://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/kultura/hudba/vesna-predstavila-debutove-album-pata-bohyne_504018.html |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=Týden |language=cs |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131234538/https://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/kultura/hudba/vesna-predstavila-debutove-album-pata-bohyne_504018.html |url-status=live }} The album won the Discovery of the Year award at the Czech music awards show {{lang|cs|Ceny Anděl}} 2018.{{Cite web |date=23 January 2019 |title=Nejvíc nominací na Anděly mají Barbora Poláková, Lucie a Kapitán Demo |trans-title=Barbora Poláková, Lucie and Kapitán Demo have the most Ceny Anděl nominations |url=https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/hudba/ceny-andel-2018-nominace.A190123_084958_hudba_vha |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=iDNES |language=cs |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319061435/https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/hudba/ceny-andel-2018-nominace.A190123_084958_hudba_vha |url-status=live }}
= {{lang|la|Anima}} =
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band, which at that point also included Slovak bassist Tereza Čepková, started work on a second studio album, {{lang|la|Anima}}. In an interview, band member Bára Šůstková reported that the album was represented by animal motifs, the relationship between men and women, and the female body.{{Cite web |last= |date=12 October 2020 |title=Vesna: Začíná být zřejmé, že je to pěknej průser |trans-title=Vesna: it's becoming obvious that they're pretty badass |url=https://www.ireport.cz/clanky/rozhovory/rozhovor-vesna-zacina-byt-zrejme-ze-je-to-peknej-pruser |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=iREPORT |language=cs |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317195359/https://www.ireport.cz/clanky/rozhovory/rozhovor-vesna-zacina-byt-zrejme-ze-je-to-peknej-pruser |url-status=live }}
= Eurovision Song Contest 2023 =
On 16 January 2023, the band, with the return of Yankova,{{cite web|url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/eurovision-2023-czechia-profile-my-sister-s-crown-by-vesna|last=Martin|first=Olivia|title=Eurovision 2023 Czechia profile: 'My Sister's Crown' by Vesna|work=Aussievision|date=2023-04-20|access-date=2023-07-17|archive-date=11 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711152046/https://www.aussievision.net/post/eurovision-2023-czechia-profile-my-sister-s-crown-by-vesna|url-status=live}} was revealed as one of six competitors in {{esccnty|Czechia|y=2023|t=ESCZ 2023}}, the Czech national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.{{cite web |date=16 January 2023 |title=Czech Republic: ESCZ 2023 lineup revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-escz-2023-lineup-revealed |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en-gb |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116071747/https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-escz-2023-lineup-revealed |url-status=live }} When the voting results were revealed on 7 February 2023, the band had earned 10,584 votes, winning by a margin of 6,368 votes, thus becoming the Czech representatives for the contest.{{Cite web |last=Helgeson |first=Justina |date=7 February 2023 |title=Czech Republic: Vesna to Eurovision 2023 with "My Sister's Crown" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/czech-republic-vesna-to-eurovision-2023-with-my-sisters-crown |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=EurovisionWorld |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207182222/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/czech-republic-vesna-to-eurovision-2023-with-my-sisters-crown |url-status=live }} Their song "My Sister's Crown" is about "all people who are experiencing some kind of unfreedom, as oppression from society, trends, technology, and it's such a symbol for these people to put on a crown and feel strong enough".{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Píseň, která kombinuje rovnou čtyři jazyky. Česko bude na Eurovizi reprezentovat skupina Vesna |trans-title=A song that combines exactly four languages. The Czech Republic will be represented at Eurovision by Vesna |url=https://praha.rozhlas.cz/pisen-ktera-kombinuje-rovnou-ctyri-jazyky-cesko-bude-na-eurovizi-reprezentovat-8926911 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=Rádio Praha |language=cs |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711151938/https://praha.rozhlas.cz/pisen-ktera-kombinuje-rovnou-ctyri-jazyky-cesko-bude-na-eurovizi-reprezentovat-8926911 |url-status=live }}
Vesna performed in the first semi-final held on 9 May 2023, placing fourth overall and qualifying for the final. They ultimately placed tenth with 129 points.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Lauren |date=14 May 2023 |title=Eurovision 2023 results: Full scoreboard and points |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/eurovision-2023-results-scoreboard/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=Radio Times |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513235530/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/eurovision-2023-results-scoreboard/ |url-status=live }}
= After Eurovision =
On 17 July 2023, Vesna announced a European tour scheduled to take place between 1 and 24 November 2023 across Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic.{{cite web|last=Granger|first=Anthony|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/07/17/vesna-announce-european-tour/|title=Czechia: Vesna Announce European Tour|work=Eurovoix|date=2023-07-17|access-date=2023-07-17|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717101935/https://eurovoix.com/2023/07/17/vesna-announce-european-tour/|url-status=live}} Since July 2023, Yankova has again been inactive in the group.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
In September 2023, the group released "Wolfrunners", the lead single from their upcoming LP {{lang|cs|Muzika}} {{lang|la|Slavica}}, which was released the following November.
Band members
= Current members =
- {{Flagicon|Czechia}} Patricie Kaňok Fuxová (2016–present) – vocals
- {{Flagicon|Czechia}} Bára Juránková (2016–present) – vocals, violin
- {{Flagicon|Russia}} Olesya Ochepovskaya (2018–present) – piano
- {{Flagicon|Czechia}} Markéta Mužátková (2018–present) – drums, vocals, guitar
- {{Flagicon|Slovakia}} Tereza Čepková (2019–present) – bass guitar{{cite web|last=Mariani|first=Cristiana|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/magazine/eurovision/vesna-eurovision-chi-sono-nag6xxya|title=Chi sono le Vesna, band che porta la Repubblica Ceca all'Eurovision Song Contest 2023|trans-title=Who Vesna are: the band bringing the Czech Republic to the Eurovision Song Contest 2023|work=Quotidiano Nazionale|date=2023-05-09|access-date=2023-07-17|language=it|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717111439/https://www.quotidiano.net/magazine/eurovision/vesna-eurovision-chi-sono-nag6xxya|url-status=live}}
= Former members =
- {{Flagicon|Czechia}} Andrea Šulcová (2016–18) – flute
- {{Flagicon|Bulgaria}} Tanita Yankova (2016–18; 2023) – vocals, flute, piano
Discography
= Albums =
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left;"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Details |
| scope="row" |{{Lang|cs|Muzika}}
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! colspan="7" scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album or EP |
| style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Peak chart positions for singles in Czech Digital Chart:
! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|Rádio – Top 100 (Czech Republic)
! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|Rádio – Top 100 (Czech Republic)
! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| FIN ! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| LTU ! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE ! style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
|
|---|
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Světlonoš|italic=no}}" (featuring Terezie Kovalová) |2017 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | rowspan="3" |{{Lang|cs|Pátá bohyně}} |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Kytička|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="2" |2018 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Láska z Kateřinic|italic=no}}" (featuring Vojtěch Dyk) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Bílá laň|italic=no}}" (featuring Věra Martinová) | rowspan="2" |2019 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | rowspan="3" |{{Lang|la|Anima}} |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Nezapomeň|italic=no}}"
| — || — || 41 || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Voda|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="4" |2020 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"Downside"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — |{{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Na dračích perutích|italic=no}}"
| — || — || 33 || — || — || — || — | rowspan="2" |{{Lang|la|Anima}} |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Vlčí oči|italic=no}}"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Vse stoji (Ne dojamem)|italic=no}}"
|2021 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" |"{{Lang|cs|Pomiluj mě|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="2" |2022 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | {{Lang|cs|Muzika Slavica}} |
| scope="row" |"Love Me"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "My Sister's Crown"
| rowspan="3" | 2023 | 15 || — || — || 21 || 17 || 86 || — | rowspan="3" | {{Lang|cs|Muzika Slavica}} |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|cs|Hej mami|i=no}}"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | "Wolfrunners"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | "{{lang|cs|Moravo|i=no}}" {{small|(with {{ill|Ego (rapper)|cs|Ego (rapper)|sk|Ego (raper)|lt=Ego}})}} | 2024 | 12 || 15 || 5 || — || — || — || 95 | rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "The Silence & The Storm" {{small|(with {{ill|Lor (band)|pl|Lor (zespół muzyczny)|lt=Lor}})}} | rowspan="2" | 2025 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | "She Dances with the Sun" {{small|(with Tautumeitas)}} | — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| colspan="10" style="font-size:85%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
{{Reflist}}{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| title = Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years = 2023
| before = We Are Domi
with "Lights Off"
}}
{{s-end}}{{Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest}}{{Eurovision Song Contest 2023}}
Category:2016 establishments in the Czech Republic
Category:Czech all-female bands
Category:Czech folk music groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2016
Category:English-language musical groups from the Czech Republic