Indra AzizCLASH first encountered the electrifying, and frankly, bewildering, spectacle of vgtbl.pl – then known as Franek Warzywa and Młody Budda – at Croatia’s SHIP Festival approximately 18 months prior to this report. What began as an observation of a Polish duo fervently singing about vegetables evolved into a profound understanding of their unique artistic trajectory. Their music, a chaotic fusion of hyperpop, glitch, and math rock, treated produce with the reverence of a new religion, with Warzywa and Budda as its zealous adherents. This initial encounter, marked by its sheer absurdity and unbridled energy, hinted at a force that would soon transcend the niche of underground music.
The Genesis of a Global Brand: From "Vegetables" to vgtbl.pl
The duo’s initial foray into the music scene was characterized by an audacious embrace of the peculiar. Their songs, often featuring feverish pitch-like calls to embrace vegetables, were not merely novelty acts. They represented a deliberate artistic choice to infuse the mundane with an extraordinary, almost evangelical, fervor. This theme, deeply embedded in their early work, culminated in the release of their debut album, "Vegetables Worldwide," in September of the preceding year. In a strategic move to formalize and amplify their thematic dedication, the pair rebranded to vgtbl.pl. This rebranding signaled a maturation of their artistic vision, moving beyond a simple lyrical motif to an encompassing identity.
Despite their roots in the vibrant, yet often insular, Warsaw underground scene, vgtbl.pl has achieved a remarkable degree of online virality. This digital footprint has been instrumental in securing them regular slots at European festivals, where their live performances are renowned for their audacious energy. These shows are a masterclass in controlled chaos, lurching frenetically from the pulsating beats of a rave to the visceral intensity of a mosh pit, all while maintaining their distinctive thematic core. The juxtaposition of high-octane musicality with their unconventional lyrical content creates an unforgettable live experience that has captivated audiences across the continent.
The Accidental Muse: TikTok and the Birth of a Partnership
The unlikely genesis of vgtbl.pl’s creative partnership can be traced back to the ubiquitous platform of TikTok in 2021. Młody Budda first became aware of Franek Warzywa through a university project that involved the latter consuming vegetables. "It was just quite abstract and funny," Budda recounted to CLASH during an interview at The George Tavern in London, shortly before one of their final tour shows. This initial observation, rooted in its sheer randomness, laid the foundation for their collaborative endeavors. The seemingly trivial act of documenting vegetable consumption sparked a creative dialogue that would lead to a significant artistic output.
The interview was momentarily interrupted by the arrival of their rider – a selection of vegetables, a recurring prop and snack during their performances. "Sometimes we come to the back of a venue and see this one poor tomato, but at least they know what we do," Warzywa added with a wry smile. This anecdote underscores the inherent theatricality and self-awareness that permeates their approach to performance and promotion. The consistent presence of vegetables, whether as sustenance or stage dressing, serves as a constant, playful reminder of their artistic manifesto.
The Serious Business of Absurdity: Artistic Intent and Internet Culture
A recurring question posed to the duo revolves around the seriousness of their musical endeavors. Budda emphatically stressed their approach is "extremely serious." This assertion, however, begs further examination. Is their music solely a product of content creation for memes and a meta-commentary on internet culture, or is there a deeper artistic intent at play? Warzywa candidly acknowledged the efficacy of "rage baiting" in their promotional strategies. He cited an instance where his attempt to play Chopin, prefaced by a declaration of intent to participate in the International Chopin Piano Competition, went "super viral."
"We got new followers, mostly classical pianists saying, ‘what the fuck are you doing?!’," Budda chimed in, recalling the online reaction. This intentional provocation, while generating controversy and attention, also serves as a gateway to their more substantive musical explorations. The Chopin incident directly informed their single "Nice from Poland," featured on "Vegetables Worldwide." The track ingeniously samples Chopin’s "Nocturne in E Flat Major (Op. 9 No. 2)," weaving it into a potent blend of Baile funk and DnB breaks. The accompanying music video, featuring a cartoon Chopin twerking atop a piano, exemplifies their penchant for surreal and provocative visuals, a hallmark of their artistic output.
Echoes of the Past, Rhythms of the Future: Reinterpreting Polish Heritage
Budda, with characteristic humor, suggested that Chopin himself would have appreciated Baile funk. He then drew a parallel between their artistic mission and Chopin’s own aspirations: "He said ‘we need to take Poland worldwide because we need to restore its glory’. He used to live in Paris, and he was exporting Polish music, so we’re literally following in his footsteps." This statement reveals a sophisticated layer to their seemingly whimsical project: a desire to elevate Polish culture on a global stage, albeit through their unconventional lens. Their music, while rooted in contemporary genres, is imbued with a sense of national pride and a desire to share their heritage with a wider audience.
A Genre-Bending Symphony of Silliness and Substance
Beyond the thematic novelty, the musicality of vgtbl.pl is undeniably accomplished. The duo possesses a remarkable ability to seamlessly weave together diverse genres and complex rhythms into their intensely energetic soundscapes. Their humorous lyrics, predominantly centered on vegetables, serve as a conduit for exploring profound "emotional dilemmas" concerning love, anxiety, hope, and their Polish identity. This juxtaposition of the absurd and the profound is a key element of their artistic appeal, allowing them to connect with listeners on multiple levels.
The surreal impact of their music has not gone unnoticed by established figures in the industry. A notable anecdote involves Damon Albarn, who, at Slovakia’s Pohoda Festival, expressed bewildered admiration upon encountering vgtbl.pl. Their interactions with King Krule at Poland’s OFF Festival also highlight the intriguing reception their music garners. Warzywa recalled an attempt to invite King Krule to their London show, only to realize that their "veg-baiting" might have led to him unfollowing them on social media. "Did I go too far in my reels? Was he like ‘why am I following this shit? Who is this guy smashing his face with a leek?’ At the same time, people have discovered us this way," Warzywa mused, reflecting on the double-edged sword of their viral marketing tactics.
From Midwest Emo to Europop: A Fluid Artistic Evolution
The pair initially garnered significant traction with their Midwest emo EP, "Wykopki," which featured a more guitar-driven sound. A standout track from this period, "Największy pomidor na świecie," delved into the philosophical debate of whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable, suggesting a non-binary classification. Their nationalistic ode to potatoes, "Święto Ziemniaka," further cemented their thematic exploration. This track achieved unexpected widespread acclaim, becoming known as "the Joost Klein potato song" after the Dutch artist revealed it as one of his favorite new songs at Eurovision 2024. This connection to Eurovision, while not a direct aspiration for the duo, highlights their increasing visibility within a broader popular culture landscape.
Following the "Wykopki" EP, they released the "Komputer" EP. Since their debut album, vgtbl.pl has entered an "Europop era," marked by singles such as "Follow My Dream" and "Train of Love." During their performance at The George Tavern, "Train of Love" emerged as a crowd favorite, with attendees gleefully participating in a venue-wide train-like dance. "We have a lot of Eurovision connections, but we really don’t want to go there," Warzywa stated. "Our crowd covers that fanbase, partly because we went on tour supporting Slovenian band Joker Out right after their participation in Eurovision. But we said, ‘let’s make a song that could win Eurovision’ and we made ‘Train of Love’." This deliberate nod to Eurovision’s appeal, while maintaining a stance of non-participation, demonstrates a strategic understanding of their audience and the broader music market.
The Future of "Veg-Baiting": A Commitment to Playful Seriousness
With plans to explore an even more eclectic range of musical styles and release a mixtape later this year, vgtbl.pl shows no signs of relenting on their signature "veg-baiting" approach. Their artistic philosophy hinges on a delicate balance: "How we make music and promote ourselves, it lands in trying to take yourself seriously but also just having fun with it," Budda explained. Warzywa further elaborated on their artistic intent: "We are not comedians and don’t want to be perceived as such, but we make music to laugh, to cry, to be angry to." This statement encapsulates the multifaceted nature of their art, which, despite its whimsical facade, taps into a wide spectrum of human emotion.
The trajectory of vgtbl.pl from a peculiar festival act to a recognized force in the European music scene is a testament to their innovative approach, their undeniable musical talent, and their astute understanding of contemporary media. Their ability to fuse high-concept absurdity with genuine musicality and emotional resonance has created a unique niche for themselves. As they continue to cultivate their sonic garden, vgtbl.pl remains a compelling example of how unconventionality can lead to widespread acclaim and a lasting artistic impact. Their journey, much like a perfectly ripe vegetable, is still growing, promising further evolution and continued engagement with audiences worldwide.
"Vegetables Worldwide" is out now. Stay in touch with vgtbl.pl on social media.
Words: Ben Lee
