Neha!

Six women. One voice. Infinite tenderness.

Neha! is more than a vocal ensemble – it is a living portrait of friendship, courage, and artistic freedom. Six women, each unique, profound, and complex, blend their voices into a polyphonic tapestry that transcends boundaries and touches hearts.

The group was formed in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia, when the singers found in each other a safe haven of joy, support, and ongoing artistic growth. Neha! was founded by Zuzana Vranka Žiaková, who recognized the potential in each member to create an extraordinary project. Diversity, unconventionality, commitment, and courage define both the music and the personality of every singer.

From the early days, choir director Bohdana Ljashko joined the group, bringing professional guidance and helping channel the singers’ passion for polyphonic music into refined performance. By 2021, Neha! was performing at festivals and events, from local gatherings like Letná slávnosť na Sekierskych lúkach, HippieJam, and StreetArt Fest Piešťany, to international stages such as the Pilsen Busking Fest.

In 2022, the ensemble performed six concerts for peace in support of Ukraine and nearly 30 other concerts throughout the year. During this time, music producer Anton Popovič joined as artistic supervisor, bringing professional insight that further shaped Neha!’s artistic development.

The name Neha! – translated as “tenderness” – reflects the essence of the group: the singers cultivate care and support for each other, which resonates in the harmony of their voices. Their music not only unites people but also addresses socially relevant themes. Living the concept of radical tenderness, Neha! promotes empathy, connection, and humanity even in polarized contexts.

Their performances are experimental and improvisational, inviting the audience to engage directly and dissolving the barrier between stage and spectators. Neha! explores performative elements that enhance the shared experience.

The group has performed at the World Music Festival Bratislava, Aux Heures d’Été Festival in Nantes, the legendary A38 Ship in Budapest, and Atmosféra Festival. A particularly moving project was the Radically Tender Tour in eastern Slovakia, where Neha! visited four Roma settlements to bring music to often overlooked communities.

In 2024, the group achieved a major milestone: with the support of a successful crowdfunding campaign, they recorded and released their debut album Neha! Svetu. The six women – one of whom was expecting a child – “gave birth” to the album in the studio, guided by Tono Popovič and vocal coach Lenka Paulíková. Guest artists including beatboxer Emil “Esso” Smoliga, percussionist Roman Turtev, cellist Juraj Škoda, harpist Andy Aquarius, and percussionist Michal Fedor enriched the album’s sonic landscape.

The album features ten traditional songs from six countries, reflecting the group’s artistic journey. Polyphonic vocals merge with guest instruments, creating an intense listening experience full of melancholic beauty, passionate bursts, and rhythmic vitality.

About the Singers

Belinda Rašnerová – Organizer, manager, artist with wide-ranging interests from music to visual arts, dance, and performance. Lives in Bratislava.
Denisa Parobeková
Mária Valentová – Singer, full-time mother, co-creator of women’s circles focused on ritual singing, rooted in Slovak traditions.
Kristína Kikon Kluvánek – Voice researcher and sound designer, active in artistic collectives in Copenhagen and Berlin, exploring embodiment through sound and movement.
Sára Halíková – Musician and performer, visionary and social activist, bringing unconventional art and community projects to life.
Zuzana Vranka Žiaková – Animator, singer, cultural organizer, combining visual arts, music, and digital technology; promotes Slovak world music internationally.

Neha! Svetu is not just an album; it is a testament to unity, curiosity, and radical tenderness – an invitation to experience the world with open ears and hearts.

Booking Worldwide excl. CZ, SK

Travelparty: 6

Bre Petrunko feat. Esso
Live in France