MALA HERBA is a solo project of sound artist and queer music activist Zosia Hołubowska. Based on traditional music, magic, and demonology of Eastern Europe. Mala Herba’s performances are sonic rituals, celebrating body and sex-positivity. Powerful, witchy vocals are weaved into hypnotic beats, cold baselines and, romantic synthesizer melodies. The music draws from darkwave and industrial techno but often turns into experimental polyrhythmic soundscapes. Mala Herba had a chance to play festivals like Tauron Nowa Muzyka (PL), Popfest (AT), Fekete Zaj (HU), Bent Fest (UK), and took part in HackLab residency during CTM Festival (2019). In 2017 they self-released a demo tape, that received very positive reviews. In 2018 her tracks appeared on the DKA tape compilation and a charity compilation for the Syrian White Helmets by Saudade Records. Their debut album is due this year on Aufname+Widergabe, followed by an ep for Syntetyk Records.
Zosia Hołubowska is also a researcher, currently finishing their Ph.D. thesis at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Their experimentations are oriented toward „queering” electronic, and re-imagining archives through soundscapes, performances, and installations. They have composed sound design for dance performances in Brut Theater (Vienna, AT) and their work has been presented in Mumok (Austria), Guggenheim Museum (Spain), La Gaite Lyrique (Paris, France), AMOQA (Athens, Greece), Sluice Gallery (London, UK); their last sound installation was shown at the Research Pavilion in Venice (Italy). Hołubowska is also a founder and curator of Sounds Queer? – a DIY synthesizer laboratory – that organizes electronic music workshops, performances, and exhibitions in Vienna (AT).