Czech singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Barbora Zmeková
Barbora Zmeková is a Czech singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who weaves together jazz, folk, classical music, and subtle electronics into her own unmistakable sound. Her songs are often tinged with sadness but also contain humor and warmth.
Barbora Zmeková is not just a musician; she is a storyteller who carries her audience into a world where fragility and strength, melancholy and laughter coexist. A singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, she balances the intimacy of Czech-language lyrics with music that slips gracefully between jazz, folk, classical traditions, and electronic textures. The piano is often at the heart of her work, yet she moves just as naturally to guitar or synthesizer, reshaping her sound with each performance.
What sets her apart is the emotional honesty of her music. Zmeková sings of tenderness, longing, and solitude, but always with a touch of irony and humor that keeps her music grounded. Listeners describe her concerts as “soul trips” or even “poetry in music” — immersive journeys rather than mere performances.
Since her debut album Ještě kousek (2013), she has become a distinctive voice on the Czech alternative scene. Her second album LUNAVES (2019) won widespread critical acclaim, placed prominently in year-end polls, and earned her nominations for the prestigious Anděl Awards in two key categories: Newcomer of the Year and Solo Artist. Her most recent album came out in 2024, titled Přestalo pršet –It has stopped raining.
Related
-
Bára Zmeková: The songwriter who puzzles narrow-minded critics
“I usually follow the music, I do not try to shape it“ says singer ans songwriter Bára Zmeková. Listen to the final episode of our podcast series Faces of Czech Music.
-
Bára Zmeková: one of a new generation of free musicians
Bára Zmeková is a singer-songwriter and pianist from Prague whose music is a blend of folk, jazz and classical, spiced with a bit of electronic.




