Václav Havelka reviewed and interviewed

"A humble, conciliatory, and poetic narrative about the extent to which a person is the plaything of something we imprecisely call fate. … These songs—born of introspection and a reckoning with that “predestination by circumstance and genes”—are not self-absorbed; rather, they possess universal resonance and a spirit of openness. Havelka has arrived at a minimalist aesthetic akin to that of Michael Gira—specifically during the folk-rock incarnations of Swans in the late 1980s and early 1990s or in the Angels of Light project."
- Magazín UNI (album of the month)

“Prague correspondent’s star-studded loner folk. Slither up and be enlightened.”
- MOJO

"He has a rare ability to travel anywhere and have his songs travel well to all kinds of audiences. Whether it’s a packed festival at SXSW in Austin, a tearoom with four people in the middle of nowhere, or to play from a deck of an old truck in a god-forgotten neighbourhood in the Northwest of Czech Republic, he will do maximum for the crowd."
"His idea of music and the scene is holistic: being a musician and a fan is inseparable. “I have the same feeling when I’m on the stage or when I see someone perform. Music exists only when someone is listening, therefore I have a deep respect for music fans.”
Marisa Anderson: “In these times, it’s so important to reach out beyond national and regional boundaries, and to identify collaborators from across oceans and time zones. Václav reached out, and in the spirit of solidarity this felt like an important project to be part of.“
Thor Harris: „I love that way of collaborating – it’s a way to keep in touch with a friend far away. I love his voice and his passion for music and people. Václav is a hub for a huge international network of friends.”
- The Quietus

„Writing songs requires openness. Producing asks for perspective. Curating demands that you put your own taste aside and create space for other voices. None of these roles is more important than another. They remind me that music has never been an individual act.“
„Maybe that's why I still believe so deeply in live music. In a world where so much of our experience has become fragmented, a concert remains one of the few places where people gather with a shared intention to listen. For a couple of hours, strangers agree to give one another their attention. That feels almost radical today.“
„These songs weren't written with an audience in mind. They were observations — small attempts to understand a life that suddenly felt unfamiliar. Looking back, they resemble prayers more than compositions.“
„I also hope it speaks to men. Many of us grow up believing that strength means carrying everything alone. My own experience has led me somewhere very different. I hope my two sons grow up knowing that tenderness isn't the opposite of courage. It may be one of its deepest expressions.“
- The Self Portrait Gospel

A Snake Crawling Up a Broken Ladder is a personal, captivating record in which Václav Havelka crafts a hypnotic musical ritual out of pain, silence, and acceptance. Vocally, Havelka often operates in the lower registers, almost like a storyteller emerging from the background. His voice tends to permeate the tracks, blending with them and allowing them to breathe. That is precisely where the album’s strength lies."
- Headliner

!The album’s title alludes to the serpentine Kundalini energy flowing up the spine, and the press release speaks of a musical journey of acceptance, growth, and transformation. Let us not be put off by overused esoteric terms; with Havelka, these are no empty platitudes. Looking back at his body of work, the album appears less like an unexpected departure and more like a natural progression. Spiritual and environmental themes converge right in the opening track. Accompanying him on this path toward reconciliation are the flute of David Boulter and the cello of Vojtěch Havel—an extraordinary individual with whom Havelka spent his final days before his unexpected passing in October 2024. Contributions from the likes of Tomáš Niesner, Alois Zatloukal, James Toth, Marisa Anderson, and Thor Harris—along with other overseas musicians to whom Havelka had sent his home recordings—feel entirely natural."
- Fullmoon

"Here, artists from the American indie scene cross paths with local figures such as Tomáš Niesner and Vojtěch Havel. It was the latter who had a profound influence on Havelka in the final years of his life. Thanks to him, the album *A Snake Crawling Up a Broken Ladder* creates a unique bridge between the domestic singer-songwriter tradition—specifically the style of Oldřich Janota, shaped by Eastern spirituality—and a similarly minded contemporary American scene that also views the hectic pace of modern civilization with skepticism. Havelka finds his roots and kindred spirits in both traditions, perceiving connections between them that are unexpected yet entirely natural."
- Respekt (album of the week)