Thanks to Sziget Festival’s new initiative, every year a different Hungarian song is chosen to become the anthem of the Island of Freedom. This year one of the songs of Ivan & The Parazol, “Together” was chosen from their newest album, ‘Mode Bizarre’.

Károly Gerendai, founder and main organizer of Sziget, said: „Although the songs of international performers are more well-known all around the world, we consciously choose a Hungarian song every year to become the anthem of the festival. By using the song as the basis of our local and international campaign we create an opportunity for bands to reach a wider audience.” Gerendai said that the messages of the songs are also important as they should fit the values and message of Sziget. This is why last year the „Freedom Song” from Punnany Massif was chosen, while this year „Together” from Ivan & The Parazol became the anthem.

Promoting Hungarian bands on the international circuit is not an easy task. The reason is surely not the lack of domestic talent, as there are many great acts in the country. On the other hand the Hungarian music market is very small, which makes it hard to set up a firm industrial basis for a rock band and find the right resources to start an international career. Sziget Festival can’t really change these circumstances, on the other hand it can help opening some doors thanks to the visibility that surrounds the event.

Singer and frontman of the band, Ivan Vitáris, said: „Being Szitizens for a long time and having so many good memories of this amazing festival with so many great gigs and huge parties, it’s really uplifting, that our song is the anthem this year. This event not only spreads the word of Budapest and Hungary, but now our music will also cross borders. We really hope that we can sing this song together with many Szitizens at the festival or later when recalling those great memories of Sziget 2014 at home.”

The Sziget organizers will not only spread this song worldwide, but will also do their best to provide opportunity for Ivan & The Parazol to introduce themselves to the international audience.

The next step will be a music video for “Together”, till then check out the teaser that also gives a taste of Sziget 2014

Ivan & The Parazol

Ivan & The Parazol is a five piece rock’n’roll group formed in 2010. Their 21st century beat music incorporates influences from the 60’s-70’s new wave genres and beat culture. The band’s first hit “Take My Hand” of their first LP "Mama Don't You Recognize Ivan & The Parazol?" was a chart success for months on Hungarian radios. Foreign music blogs have caught their name, and the song has been played on radio stations abroad as well.

Their success in Hungary is leading to international interest leading to several shows in the United States (SXSW, CBGB, CMJ showcases) and the UK. The group won an MTV EMA Music Award in 2013 as Best Hungarian Act.

Their second studio album "Mode Bizarre" was released in 25th March, 2014. The album is highly emotional and yet very edgy rock'n'roll record, it opened at no.1 position on the local Deezer and iTunes charts.

For more information on Ivan & The Parazol

Source and  more information on Sziget Festival