Michal Hrůza: From Ready Kirken to Film Scores and Beyond

Michal Hrůza, a prominent figure in the Czech music scene, has enjoyed a diverse career spanning decades. Initially known as the founder of the band Ready Kirken and the composer of the hit song “Voda živá” for Aneta Langerová, Hrůza has expanded his creative output to include solo albums and film scores.

Early Career and Ready Kirken

Hrůza founded Ready Kirken in 1996, leading the group through the creation of five albums and writing over fifty songs and lyrics for the band. Ready Kirken evolved from its initial sound, becoming more mature with each release, as noted in a 2006 interview with Muzikus.cz. The band’s fourth album, featuring the single “1+1,” showcased this shift.

“Voda živá” and Subsequent Projects

While Hrůza did not win the Song of the Year award from the Academy of Popular Music for “Voda živá,” the song achieved significant success when performed by Aneta Langerová. Following his departure from Ready Kirken in 2006, Hrůza formed Kapela Hrůzy and released several solo albums, including Bílá velryba (2007), Napořád (2009), Noc (2012), Sám sebou (2017) and Světlo do tmy (2020).

Expanding into Film

Hrůza’s musical talents extend beyond the realm of pop and rock. He has contributed to the scores of several Czech films, including Lidice (2011), Martin and Venus (2012), Forbidden Release (2014), Padesátka (2015), and Tales for Emu (2016). He has as well composed numerous television jingles for popular Czech series such as Vyprávěj and Mazalové.

Recent Work and Recognition

In 2023, Hrůza was recognized for his bravery when he intervened to stop an attack on civilians in Prague, subduing an assailant who was attacking people with his fists. His compilation album, “Hity & příběhy (Best Of 2001-2021)” was released in November 2021, featuring tracks from his work with Ready Kirken, Kapela Hrůzy, and collaborations with other artists.