FMK AfterLive is building a community of young musicians

Dr. Patrik Kolenčík teaches courses focused on sound and multimedia communication at the FMK UCM in Trnava. Together with his students, he has created a new music concept called FMK AfterLive. It is a format inspired by “tiny desk” performances—that is, live musical performances recorded in a simplified audiovisual format that emphasize authenticity and atmosphere.

As part of one of his courses, Kolenčík also organizes workshops focused on music production. He invites industry professionals to these workshops, who collaborate with the students on creative projects. In one of the three workshops, they focused on “looping”—a technique involving the repetition of sound elements to create the rhythmic or melodic foundation of a composition.

“I try to teach them how to record different styles and genres. At the workshops, they gain hands-on experience—from looping to the actual recording process. Tiny Desk is our inspiration,” explains Kolenčík. They only launched FMK AfterLive this year.

A platform for new talent

The FMK AfterLive lineup includes, for example, singer Emma Llure (Emma Čučková), punk artist Mishino (Michal Paulík), and the trio Dandelions (Vivien Orsolya Soóky, Viliam Kužel, and Samuel Lambert). All of the above are students at FMK.

The band Dandelions was formed as part of the project and will also perform at the FMK Day event. During the event, FMK AfterLive will have its own booth serving burgers prepared by the students participating in the project.

In addition to Kolenčík and guest lecturers, students from his courses focused on sound and multimedia production also contribute to FMK AfterLive.

From Music to Multimedia Production

Kolenčík originally focused on teaching sound, particularly in the context of film. Gradually, however, a community of students interested in music began to form around him. “I realized that we have a lot of talented people with great potential at the faculty. When I asked them if they wanted to pursue music as well, the response was very positive,” he explained.

His own journey also led from music to art: “I started when I was twelve and gradually moved on from there. I see the same thing with my students—they enjoy music and are looking for ways to take it further.”

The project evolved naturally—from jamming together to songwriting and finally recording. The visual aspect was added later, designed entirely by the students themselves. The result is a studio with a unique atmosphere, enhanced by creative elements and specific lighting that highlight the character of each performance.

An open-ended project with high ambitions

Students record their work in the HD studio located in the FMK building on Skladová Street. Despite the heavy workload, the project remains open to further collaborations—primarily for the FMK community, but anyone who wants to create is welcome.

The project also features an original theme song, which each artist interprets in their own style. In the future, they plan to incorporate unconventional musical elements, such as medieval music or a string quartet.

The FMK AfterLive team is also preparing short interviews with performers and working on the summer program. They have more than enough ambition, and as they say themselves: “Just wait and see.”

Photo source: Katarína Vaňová