Panda Lux return with renewed passion: After a one-year break, Silvan Kuntz, Samuel Kuntz, Moritz Widrig, and Janos Mijnssen reunite in the studio. “It felt like a rocket launch. Within eight days, we had written an entire album,” says lead singer Silvan Kuntz. "Niemand," the first single, was created on the very first day—a poetic uptempo song that takes astonishing paths. This has always been the hallmark of this band, which has been making music together since their teenage years.
The story of Panda Lux begins in 2006 on the school playground: Silvan Kuntz plays guitar, his brother Samuel teaches himself the first chords, and together they form their first band with Moritz Widrig (drums) and later Janos Mijnssen (bass). After early musical experiments and performing under various band names, they gradually build a growing fan base. Their renaming to Panda Lux in 2013 marks a fresh start, eventually leading to their debut album Versailles. Their debut garnered a lot of acclaim: in addition to placements in the Swiss album and airplay charts and a nomination for the Swiss Music Award, it allows the band to perform on Switzerland’s biggest festival stages.
After releasing the EP Zoo in 2018, they achieve a streaming hit with their song Bar Franca. In the fall of 2020, their second album Fun Fun Fun is released. Pure and unique, musically intricate, oscillating between electronic and acoustic sounds. The lyrics by lead singer Silvan Kuntz explore the illusion of purchasable happiness and the decay of vitality and self-love. With their second album, Panda Lux tours Germany and Switzerland, opening for major acts like Faber and Alt-J.
With Blumen I-IX, released in 2022, Panda Lux present an experimental concept album, once again demonstrating their musical innovation and their willingness to push the boundaries of pop music. As a symbol of the stagnation caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the band records their song Blumen nine times in different versions and collaborations. The album features contributions from well-known German singer Mine, the Senegalese-Swiss band Siselabonga, a theater actress, a string quartet, and a classical choir.
This is followed by the band’s first creative break in their career as multi-instrumentalists. During this hiatus, the members focus on individual projects: Silvan Kuntz releases a solo EP as San Silvan, produced by Sophie Hunger; Janos Mijnssen co-produces Faber’s album Addio; Samuel and Silvan release their first instrumental guitar album as HOEHN; and Moritz Widrig focuses on theater and film music.
With their new album HERZ, Panda Lux once again prove that they continue to evolve while staying true to their core as a classic guitar-bass-drum band. Their sound is bolder, their lyrics more personal than ever. What began as a childhood friendship on the playground has grown into one of the most exciting voices in the German-speaking indie scene. And while they continue to explore new paths, one thing remains unchanged: Panda Lux makes music that moves—and endures.
