Fast Forward provides support to five projects by musicians from Switzerland in the fields of pop, jazz, hip-hop, and experimental music during the 2024-2026 period.
The two-year programme is aimed at mid-career musicians, working on either solo or small-group projects. It provides them with substantial and individualised support at a decisive point in their careers, helping them to become firmly established in the international scene.
Backed by personalised mentoring, the artists can work on their productions, on long-term development strategies, and on the strengthening of their professional networks. In addition, they take part in a three-day Business Lab alongside experts in their field, where they can exchange ideas and learn about various topics relating to promotion, marketing and management.
2024-2026 edition
Following a call for applications, an international jury selected five projects that fitted the given requirements.
Baby Volcano
Baby Volcano, a Swiss-Guatemalan artist, explores performing arts, music, and costume design. Her work evolves from the organic world, inspired by volcanoes, the human body and nature.
Her first EP, Síndrome Premenstrual, was released in September 2021. Drawing on hip-hop, trap, electronic music and chanson, Baby Volcano mixes styles and languages to create high-energy live performances.
Mentor: TBD
Belia Winnewisser
After many years spent in different groups (Evje, Silver Firs, α=f/m) and studying at the Bern Academy of the Arts (HKB), Zurich-based producer and DJ Belia Winnewisser released her first solo EP titled Radikale Akzeptanz (Präsens Editionen) in 2018. This was followed by SODA in 2021 (Präsens Editionen) and The Essence Of in June 2024(SPA Recordings).
In the meantime, Belia Winnewisser released Mother Earth Took Poison In Her Soil (Die Orakel, 2022) and Tid (with Luca Durán, Präsens Editionen, 2023), two rhythmic EPs nourished by her experience as a DJ.
Mentor: TBD
Louis Matute
Thanks to his predilection for mixing genres, guitarist Louis Matute from Geneva made a name for himself, particularly with his third and fourth albums: Our Folklore (2022) and Small Variations From the Previous Day (2024).
His latest project, entitled Large Ensemble, is based on a variable geometric concept that combines contemporary music and popular Latino music with a special emphasis on harmony. As an eclectic jazz musician, he also works as a sideman in various projects involving different styles.
Mentor: TBD
Palinstar
After having toured the world with Boytoy, supported Caroline Rose, sung on the hit Kafi Lied by Kalabrese and performed on the American radio station KEXP with Kush K, Palinstar finally presents her first solo project: a blend of Americana melodies, indie rock and fuzz guitar, accompanied by simple lyrics.
With the first three titles released in 2024 (It’s time, Déjà Vu, Complicated), the multi-instrumentalist shines with a rich voice and a specially invented language she calls ‘Spenglish’, in which Swiss idioms are translated verbatim into English.
Mentor: TBD
Jasmina and Nabyla Serag (Sirens Of Lesbos)
The Bernese band, led by the sisters Jasmina and Nabyla Serag, debuted in 2014 with a dance hit called Long Days, Hot Nights, before reinventing itself as an indie pop group in 2018 with the single We’ll Be Fine.
This was followed by two albums, Sol (2020) and Peace (2023), in which Sirens Of Lesbos created a groovy sound combining hip hop, R&B, funk and disco, and collaborated with the likes of Bootsy Collins, JID, James Blake and Erick The Architect.
Mentor: TBD
Fast Forward
This call for applications is open once a year. Applications for the 2025-2027 edition can be submitted from 1 July to 1 September 2025.
Information
During the two-year programme, selected artists may still submit their applications for Pro Helvetia’s regular support measures.
