We counted everything, tallied it all up and weighed it, and we came the conclusion that we could still fit six more interesting artists in at OFF FESTIVAL KATOWICE 2010! Artists as great as rap legend Raekwon, the folk orchestra A Hawk and a Hacksaw and British newest hardcore hope Pulled Apart By Horses.

They say that the days of rap have passed, but fortunately we care little about what’s trendy and focus instead on what’s good. And New York’s RAEKWON is a master of his art, a member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, an original MC who is also famous for his excellent solo albums. According to a recent MTV ranking, he’s number 10 on the list of the best rappers of all time. His long awaited new album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II” came out last year to raving reviews from old-school hip-hop connoisseurs.

A HAWK AND A HACKSAW are an American folk orchestra whose interests have more in common with the European tradition, especially its eastern variety and that of the Balkans, and the music of wedding and funeral orchestras, than the heritage of their home country. With a repertoire like that, it’s no wonder they ended up under the wing of Beirut, with whom they’ve played a successful tour. They’re currently promoting their latest album, “Délivrance,” published last year.

Some compare them to the Pet Shop Boys, while others point out similarities with My Bloody Valentine. Some claim they play dream pop, others swear that it’s shoegaze. Either way, the Swedish RADIO DEPT. plays the type of music that has always enjoyed a warm welcome at the Off Festival. They’ve just come out with their third album, titled “Clinging to a Scheme,” which Pitchfork sees as a “whole new beginning” for the band, claiming that the record “rewards every ounce of attention you give it.” And they apparently play “great songs” as well.

We haven’t forgotten about Iceland, although FM BELFAST is admittedly an exception on the island’s music scene. Instead of endless, dreamy guitar pieces, the band pumps out modern, danceable electronica. Instead of tweaked, ethereal soundscapes, get ready for a riot of percussive instruments. Their self-published “How to Make Friends” is worth a listen, although FM Belfast truly shines live. Interestingly, you never know how many people to expect on stage, as the band’s lineup shifts anywhere between a trio and an octet. And they could always show up with guests…

Their name is inspired by Radiohead, but we’re afraid to guess what inspires their energy… The British group PULLED APART BY HORSES has only been playing for two years, but they’ve earned their reputation as on of the UK’s best live acts. They’ve given concerts that have ended with the band members going to the hospital instead of the afterparty. Hardcore, punk, disco, metal — you name it, it’s probably somewhere in the chaos of their music, and surprisingly, it all works out well. The proof is in their recently published debut album, simply titled “Pulled Apart By Horses.”

The American experimenter Merrill Garbus, otherwise known as TUNE-YARDS, deftly walks the line between bluesy dirges, African beats, and homemade freak-folk. What does that sound like, you ask? She describes it herself on her MySpace page as follows: “Your mom when she gets really mad but instead of whoopin’ yo’ ass she starts making crazy-ass beats with the pots and pans AND yo’ ass.” We can’t wait to experience that.

We’d also like to remind everyone that we’re now accepting reservations for the Festival Village (featuring campgrounds, full sanitary facilities, left-luggage facilities, a food court, a medical tent, automobile parking, cellular phone charging stations, and recycling bins with mandatory sorting), for the price of 16 PLN per person per day.

OFF FESTIVAL KATOWICE 2010 will take place August 5–8 at the picturesque Dolina Trzech Stawów. Tickets (17 € / day) and passes (30 €) are available at: http://www.ticketpro.pl http://www.eventim.pl http://www.ticketportal.pl