Radio Lola’s Soundsystem Social

Embarking on a trial run this summer in Warsaw’s Praga district, Radio Lola looks to bridge the gap between online broadcasting and the IRL community spirit of soundsystem culture. 

If lockdown proved anything to subcultures and communities around the world, it was just how vital real-world interaction is to the overall music experience. We’ve lived in abundant times for online radio stations, streamed sessions, VR spaces and AR activations for some time now. There’s no need to dismiss these newer aspects of music culture — technology and innovation have always been crucial parts of the puzzle — but most would agree they fall short of the sensory rush and emotional weight of in-person events of all shapes and sizes. 

Radio Lola has come together this summer as a considered move to bridge the gap between these worlds by looking to a time-honoured benchmark for the community function of music events — soundsystem culture. The project has been spearheaded by Karolina Kobielusz, aka Hermeneia, whose background touches on years spent working with leading Polish experimental festivals Unsound and Ephemera amongst many other endeavours in Warsaw and elsewhere. Billed as a DIY, pop-up radio station, Lola has found a space for the summer in the modernist surroundings of the Pawilion Bliska 12 in Warsaw’s Praga district. 

After launching on July 18, Lola is hosting weekly all-day sessions spanning live and DJ sets with a focus on physical formats. Transmitted through a traditional rig maintained by local specialist Duppy Conqueror from the 850 Soundsystem, the music spans, as Kobielusz puts it, “insanely good live performances, from synth shows, lute and percussion sessions to rare, one-deck dancehall sets, ambient soundscapes, and old-school Polish illegal hip hop mixtapes.” It’s clear the curation, steered in part by Lucciolla from Wrocław art space Wro Art, is steeped in the novel and compelling — one for the heads, as some might say. 

Just as important as the music is the offering of food and drink, deepening the tangible aspect of the event for all attendees. For those not able to make it to Warsaw, the shows can be accessed on YouTube. To learn a little more about the roots of Radio Lola, and where it might head in the future, read on for a little Q&A with Kobielusz and if you can spare a dime, consider contributing to their crowdfunder to keep this legit enterprise in operation. 

We’re absolutely here for Filip Kalinowski’s hip-hop tape throw down ~~~——>>>

Hi Karolina — what motivated you to start Radio Lola? 

I have been associated with Unsound Festival for four years. I literally grew up working there. During that time, I traveled a lot while following the local scene, its needs, and its visibility abroad. 

As I’m also a DJ and musician, it’s easier for me to understand the changes we really need to adapt to. I have been engaged in several initiatives such as Sanatorium of Sound, the magazine/collective PROGREFONIK, Ephemera Festival, and many others. Two years ago, I created the FURDA series, which focuses on soundsystem music. It was my huge dream to promote this special kind of culture, being aware of its roots. 

While it’s great to be a curator and selector, I knew I needed to do something for the community as a promoter. We have a great Radio Kapitał, which is more experimental and community-focused than most radio stations in Poland. However, I dreamed of setting up a streaming radio where people can stay not only for the music and the mighty soundsystem but also for selected snacks and drinks. Radio Lola is the first pop-up situation of its kind in Poland.

It all started when I saw a last-minute call for young curators on Pawilon Bliska 12’s Instagram. They were looking for young curators, so I sent a message, we met in this insane venue, and decided to set up Radio Lola within two months. I invited Tola, aka Lucciolla, to help me arrange things. She’s a very forward-thinking promoter and curator, and I’m glad to have her as my partner in crime. We also engaged other amazing people who support us as volunteers, including Jan, aka Janin and Gunnin or Duppy Conqueror, who is responsible for the sound quality and runs his own soundsystem, 850 Soundsystem. 

On one hand, Radio Lola fills a gap in this part of Europe. On the other hand, we are doing it on our own, without sponsors or funding—just our savings and a fundraiser. 

It feels like you’re driven to make a real-world experience more tangible than the purely online mix/radio station function. Was that part of the aim? 

Yes yes yes yes  Yes, exactly. Here in Poland, we suffer from a lack of underground spaces, venues, and clubs, especially those open during the day. Thanks to Pawilon Bliska 12, we can set up a day-to-evening music situation. Also, all of us are big fans of good food and cooking. A lot of Jamaican parties are also about the food and sharing, which is very wholesome and inspiring for me. My idea was to combine food and selected drinks (mostly non-alcoholic) with sound. We are preparing a small offer to accompany the weekly pop-ups, and we really care about creating an attractive snack and drink menu. 

We focus on suppliers close to us, on what we have tried ourselves, and on what we think is great. We treat it a bit like a curated line-up for each event. We are reaching out to some brands to support us in this process. On one hand, we offer streaming, and on the other, summer (for now) days full of conversations, listening, eating, and drinking in the company of nice people and curated sounds. 

Can you tell us anything about the events/programming you have lined up?

I’m working on the musical lineups with Lucciolla. Our aim is to connect Polish artists with artists from abroad. During the day, Radio Lola offers a selection of various music genres played from records, cassettes, CDs, and hybrids, supported by a mighty, high-quality sound system. We are trying to deliver wicked experiences to our listeners, which is why we prepared some insanely good live performances, from synth shows, lute and percussion sessions to rare, one-deck dancehall sets, ambient soundscapes, and old-school Polish illegal hip hop mixtapes. 

How has the response been in the Warsaw/Polish music community to the idea so far?

 I’m so surprised. About 400 people came to the launch party. People need this and are saying that it’s a historical moment for Polish music culture. I was literally crying hearing this. There is a chance to arrange Lola’s pop-up in other cities like Wroclaw or Poznan. We don’t want to broadcast only from Warsaw. We will see what happens.

Are there longer-term plans for the project?

For now, we’re working hard on this summer edition. We’re going to see what happens. Maybe someone could help us find a long-term venue. We also need to manage some grants and scholarships. For now, we are non-profit, but I’m absolutely okay with this. I have a lot of energy to keep Lola alive as long as possible.

Photos by Natalia Popławska.

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