Sladek
In the early 2000s, a soul revival emerged from New York’s Daptone Records, founded in 2002, and soon spread across Europe. Celebrating the spirit of 1960s soul while pushing its sonic and compositional boundaries, artists such as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Lee Fields, and Charles Bradley became international stars, giving rise to what became known as “retro soul.”
Although SLADEK clearly draws from this tradition, and their soulful sound evokes legends such as Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and the iconic Daptone artists, their music never feels derivative. Instead, they play with the freshness and conviction of a band discovering the warm grooves of Chicago, Memphis, and Detroit for the very first time.
SLADEK has also established itself as a compelling live act, conveying the emotional depth and irresistible rhythms of soul music while inviting audiences to sing along and move to the beat. On stage, the trio is joined by Taineh on keyboards and backing vocals, as well as Gloria Handler on drums.
Artist
Sladek (AUT)
SLADEK is a soul band consisting of singer and guitarist David Sladek, bassist Alvis Reid, and drummer Bernhard Sorger. Their musical journey began in 2019 with the release of their debut album Daydreamin’, introducing the band’s signature blend of infectious R&B melodies and deeply rooted neo-soul influences. Following several subsequent releases, it was their 2024 EP Loveless and, ultimately, their 2025 album Things Gotta Change that marked a turning point in the band’s artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from the soul music of the late 1960s, SLADEK embraced a sound defined by handcrafted musicianship, analogue production aesthetics, and a keen sense of groove and emotion. “We wanted people to hear that this is real people making music together—that not everything has been polished to perfection. Mistakes are part of it. That’s what makes soul so exciting to me,” says bandleader David Sladek.
Location
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Anton-Neumayr-Platz 2
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