Brno-based band Budoár staré dámy, led by frontwoman Marta Kovářová, return with their new single To nemůžu být já ("That Can't Be Me"), accompanied by a striking new music video. The song, based on a poem by Czech poet Kamil Bouška, explores office fatigue, repetitive work routines, and the unsettling moment of seeing yourself from the outside, trapped in gestures that have become second nature. The single offers the first glimpse of the band's forthcoming album, V úplně pitomé době, due for release this autumn via Indies Scope.
The music video brings the song's central idea into physical movement. Each of the band's four members contributed three gestures drawn from their everyday professions, which were developed into a choreography with choreographer Anežka Kvapilová. Filmed in the new studio of the Department of Art Education at Masaryk University in Brno, the video transforms ordinary workplace movements into a choreographed sequence of working life. The video was directed by Marta Kovářová and František Eliáš, with cinematography by Jonáš Svoboda. Photography, including the single artwork, was created by Ester Láníková.
"To nemůžu být já was inspired by those rare moments when we suddenly catch sight of ourselves from the outside. We see our daily work routines with complete clarity, the sequence of tasks we've learned to perform almost automatically. Along with them come the movements and gestures we repeat every day until we ourselves become little more than a figure going through the motions and think: 'That can't be me,'" says Marta Kovářová.
The lyrics are adapted from Kamil Bouška's poem Nemůžu být já, published in his collection Dokumenty. Its opening image of someone "crouching in their coffin in front of a monitor and keyboard" perfectly captures both the physical exhaustion and emotional alienation of office work. The song's dance-inspired arrangement emerged through joyful improvisation, while the band deliberately explored sounds beyond their usual rock style, performing even the synthesiser parts live. Keyboard textures, for example, are created by guitarist Marek Laudát.
To nemůžu být já was recorded, mixed and mastered by Broněk Šmíd at Indies Studio. The track features the current line-up of Budoár staré dámy: Marta Kovářová, Tomáš Ergens, Marek Laudát and Petr Fučík. Production of both the single and the forthcoming album was handled by Fučík, who joined the band in 2022. According to Kovářová, his approach has given the record a rich, spacious sound filled with subtle references and unexpected layers.
The band's seventh studio album, V úplně pitomé době, will be released on 25 September via Indies Scope. The record explores the tension between everyday life and timelessness, touching on themes of work, care, overload, social engagement and absurdity.
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