Image
Péter Oláh
Emerging from the underground shadows of Budapest with a name born at the racetrack and a sound too wild for a single genre, Stone Sober aren’t here to fit in—they’re here to ignite. Ahead of their show on 31 July, at our Croatian venue Močvara in Zagreb, the duo shared what it means to play loud, live, and without limits.
Let’s start with your name—'Stone Sober' has a strong ring to it. What’s the story behind it? Where did it come from, and what does it mean to you now?
We liked this phrase the moment I first heard it — it’s a cool oxymoron. Also, we used to enjoy going to the horse racing track, and there was a racehorse with this name that we once bet on — and we actually won some money, so it holds a good memory for us. We think Stone Sober sounds like a strong and fitting name for a rock band.
You began as a duo in Budapest around 2021. What first brought you together—was it a chance encounter, a shared creative spark, or something else entirely?
We actually went to the same university and started talking about music, gigs, and all that — then the idea came up: why not start a band?
For someone who's never heard your music before, what’s the one sentence you'd want them to read before they press play?
“That's the spirit of life rock”
Coming up in the European alternative scene, what have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced—or unexpected moments that shaped your journey?
One of the biggest challenges has probably been that we don’t really fit into an exact genre. That made it harder at first to find where we belonged or which scene we could truly connect to. But over time, this turned into a strength. It gave us the freedom to move between genres, cities, and audiences without limits.
Do you feel a strong connection to any particular underground movement or city scene, or is your identity more rooted in being creatively nomadic?
Instead of aligning with movements, we focus on creativity — with a free-spirited approach that crosses scenes and boundaries.
Liveurope has supported emerging bands across the continent. Has being part of this network had any impact on your visibility, your audience, or the way you approach your art?
Yes, absolutely! Thanks to Liveurope, we had the chance to open for Nemanja (HR) and BALTHVS (COL), and also to perform at an indie rock festival in Dortmund. These occasions were truly defining live experiences for us, allowing us to reach a relevant and engaged audience. The amazing opportunities provided by Liveurope have further strengthened one of Stone Sober’s greatest missions: playing internationally.
Your live shows have a reputation for being intense, raw, and a little unpredictable. What kind of energy or emotion do you hope people carry with them after seeing you perform?
Our ultimate goal on stage is to spark something real and lasting — we want the crowd to walk away with layered experiences, not just a single vibe. As a two-piece band, part of the magic lies in the unexpected: we aim to surprise people, stir up curiosity, and make them wake up the next day thinking, “Wait… who are these guys? I want to know more about Stone Sober!” And beyond the music, we want them to feel a connection to vibrant and life-loving energy we bring.
Was there a particular venue or city in Europe that pushed you out of your comfort zone—in a way that helped you grow as artists?
Every show is a special and awaited step outside our comfort zone, but the biggest leap so far was opening for Mother Mother to a sold-out crowd in Budapest. Of course, ever since we started making music, we’ve dreamed of playing for as many excited people as possible — but when that dream suddenly becomes real and you’re standing in front of 1,500 screaming people, all eyes on you... it truly shakes you out of the ordinary. This show meant a lot to us, and the energy we got from the crowd was so intense and uplifting that it left a permanent mark on us. We’ll definitely carry that moment with us.
People often describe your sound as raw and high-voltage rather than overly polished. Is that a conscious decision, or just what naturally happens when you play together?
This playful back-and-forth is a natural part of how we create together. It’s what makes our music honest, authentic, elemental.
Finally, here’s your open mic moment—say anything you want to fans, future listeners, or the world. What’s on your mind right now?
Instead of striving for perfection, let’s focus on experiences and honest self-expression throughout life.
This interview was led by Anita Ulovec from Močvara.
