The Post-Rock Scene in Switzerland: Lost In A Detail and their Love for Atmospheric Worlds

I would like to thank Lost in a Detail first of all for this excellent article.

I first met the band at the first edition of the Alles Post! MusikFest and not only were they friendly and approachable, they also demonstrated a vast knowledge about post-rock music and especially about the scene in Switzerland. Wanting to know more about their opinions about the genre, I gave them carte blanche for this article and I am very happy with the end result. The timing of this article couldn’t have been better as the band will be releasing their upcoming album, Eyes On The Stars, Feet On The Ground, on Friday 11th April.

The article is divided into four parts - the history about the band, the Swiss post-rock scene, some of their venue recommendations in the country and six albums suggested by Lost in a Detail to check out. Enjoy!

The history of Lost in a Detail

The Swiss post-rock band Lost In A Detail was founded at the beginning of 2019. The independently produced debut album entitled The Nothing Is Spreading was released in autumn 2020. A year later, the band followed-up the album with the single, We Feed the Giants, accompanied by a video shot in a repurposed synagogue, and supporting Kokomo and Glaston live.

In their second album, Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground, the band continues their sound exploration. Recorded in their self-built studio in Winterthur under the technical guidance of drummer and sound engineer Jakub Niziol, the album was mixed and mastered in Horus Sound Studio, known for its work with established post-rock acts. The album showcases an even more elaborate production compared to their debut, with special attention to detail.

Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground is a concept album featuring seven instrumental compositions that tell the story of a boy during the final days of Earth and his search for a new home beyond our planet. This narrative is also available as a separate booklet and online. The album also sees the band collaborate with friend and passionate illustrator, Donat Tobler, for the album’s artwork.

“Slow harmonic elements mixed with high tremolo melodies are as much a part of the band's sound as heavy and melancholic riffs. This mixture of classic post-rock and metal influences creates a unique emotional atmosphere. Lost In A Detail can be understood as the process of floating from a very conscious state into an atmospheric flow with endless possibilities. With a great passion for effect pedals, synthesizers and melancholic instrumental sounds, the band has decided to explore and plumb the wide spectrum of this genre in their own way. The sound corresponds to a long journey on your own, where you get to know the darker sides of your mind, but also find brighter, shining sparks” - Lost in a Detail describing their sound.

The Swiss Post-Rock Scene

While Post-Rock in Switzerland might be a side note in the international scene, the small country is very actively represented in major playlists and vinyl stores. The band Leech has been featured on worldwide lineups for many years with their synth-heavy Post-Rock. Hubris from Western Switzerland also tours globally with their dreamy, modern Post-Rock. Other major, historic foundations of the Swiss scene include Last Leaf Down, Darius, Egopusher, and The Evpatoria Report.

Swiss bands benefit from the country’s central location and are closely connected with neighbouring scenes. The connections to Germany, Belgium, and France are particularly strong. Festivals like dunk!festival in Belgium or ArcTanGent in Great Britain are important events where Post-Rock bands regularly perform. The cities of Lyon and Paris in France are also key players in the European Post-Rock scene - Stellar Frequencies and POSTinPARIS.

The Bergmal Festival and its concert series in Zurich play a special role in the Swiss Post-Rock scene. As a specialized platform for Post-Rock, ambient, and experimental music, Bergmal has developed into an important hub for the scene. The events not only bring together local artists but also create connections to the international Post-Rock community. Through regular events, Bergmal contributes significantly to vitalizing and networking the Swiss Post-Rock scene.

The networking and shared love for instrumental, atmospheric music contributes greatly to maintaining the Post-Rock scene. Such a passionate music scene would be unthinkable without online activities, which are particularly pronounced in this genre: thanks to the years of work by Emiljano Lubonja of Post Rock Community and Where Post Rock Dwells, it would be almost impossible for musicians in the Post-Rock scene to stand out against such a large wave of new artists of every genre. For those wanting to dive into this scene - they provide incredibly curated channels to explore the depths of this genre of music. See you at a concert and please: support your local artists!