This Is the Music Croatia Will Present to the World, Selected by Legendary KEXP Editor Kevin Cole

Twenty-three Croatian music acts have been selected by Kevin Cole, the longtime editor of Seattle’s influential KEXP radio station, for a limited double vinyl release designed to introduce Croatian music to the world.

“Croatia on the Move,” issued by the Croatian Music Export Office, also known as We Move Music Croatia, brings together ABOP, Bad Daughter, Chui, Daliborovo Granje, DJECA!, ETHER, freekind., IDEM, Irena Žilić, Jonathan, Kries, LHD, Nemanja, Neon Lies, Nipplepeople, pocket palma, Porto Morto, Sara Renar, Them Moose Rush, Tidal Pull, Trokut, Žen and ŽIVA.

The selection moves across rock, pop, electronic, jazz, experimental and alternative music. It includes artists from different generations, with different experience and aesthetics. We Move Music Croatia says the record does not attempt to define the Croatian scene. Instead, it offers a view from outside, shaped by a curator who has spent his career searching for new music.

Cole’s career has taken him from Minneapolis’ First Avenue, where Prince brought him unreleased recordings for evaluation, to the influential alternative station REV105 and six years helping develop Amazon’s music store. He later shaped KEXP’s programming vision for almost two decades, helping turn the station into a global authority on emerging talent. His work eventually brought him to Croatia, where he recognized a scene with enough breadth and maturity for international attention.

The project began in Groningen ahead of the ESNS festival. The organizers wanted something more lasting than another digital catalogue or playlist, an object that international music professionals would want to take with them, place on a turntable and hear. Designed by the award-winning duo Kazinoti & Komenda and pressed by Austro Vinyl, the first copies will be presented at Šibenik’s SHIP festival on Sept. 11. Cole will introduce the release in person at the Arsen House of Art.

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The idea was born in Groningen, ahead of ESNS. Instead of another digital catalogue or playlist, we wanted to make something lasting and tangible, something that would remain in the hands of the people we present Croatian music to. A release they would want to take with them, put on a turntable and really listen to.