NBP Human is the raw and deeply expressive musical project of Hungarian songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Balázs Janky. Originally formed in the 1990s as a garage-style grunge rock band, the project lay dormant for years as Balázs Janky explored the world of pop music – as a songwriter he wrote to lot of Hungarian pop singers, bands, as singer he was involved in 2 successful Hungarian pop bands for 10 years and worked as a manager for 2 famous Hungarian pop characters for 8 years.
From 2020, he worked with his fellow creator, fine artist Dora Csatorday, on a very exciting art project called ONE – Confluence of Arts – combining music, fine art, poems/lyrics and videoclips. Its success is seen in high viewed videoclips on his YouTube channel.
But in the summer of 2024, stirred by the creative energy of his graphic designer son Milan Janky—and by the undeniable madness of the world around us—he felt a calling to return to writing music that speaks, questions, and confronts.
What emerged is a powerful rebirth of sound and message. NBP Human is once again a vehicle for expressing sharp, poetic reflections on humanity, society, and inner truth—through the gritty lens of indie and grunge rock.
With “You Know Me” out now, we took some time to hear from NBP Human. Read below to learn more about NBP Human, the story behind “You Know Me,” and what’s to come.
Hi NBP Human! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Hello! The name “NBP Human” is actually an abbreviation of “Nothing But Pure Human.” It perfectly reflects my intention with this musical project — to return to our human roots and rediscover our emotions and values in this digitally chaotic, fast-paced world. Interestingly, the name itself was conceived back in 1995, but its message feels even more relevant and timely in 2025 than ever before.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I currently live and create in Budapest. I was born and raised in Székesfehérvár, but I moved to Budapest when I was quite a young adult. The music, the friendships, and the opportunities were all here — so it was clear to me that this was where my path would lead. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about that again. For the sake of my musical growth and evolution, it might be time for another change.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I started singing when I was just a little kid — maybe around three or four years old. I would constantly sing about whatever was happening around me or whatever was on my mind. My mom used to say I was better than the radio, so she didn’t even bother turning it on — I was the live music at home.
I must have been about thirteen when, during a family gathering, I picked up my uncle’s guitar and started playing a few melodies. I was instantly enchanted by the instrument. I asked to borrow it, and from that moment on, everything changed — I was completely captured by music.
At fifteen, my friends and I started our first band, playing our favorite songs. But pretty soon I felt the urge to express my own thoughts, emotions, and ideas through the magical language of music, so I began recording song ideas on a tape recorder.
My individual expression truly came alive with the rise of the grunge era in the ’90s. I formed my first original band under the name NBP Human, and we just played — raw, honest, with pure, elemental energy — and people responded to that. Our popularity started to grow.
Unfortunately, I was young and impatient, and since Hungary wasn’t exactly a stronghold of grunge rock, the music industry people of the time managed to lure me toward the easier path — pop music. From a practical and learning perspective, it wasn’t a bad thing; it broadened my musical taste, gave me insight into how the music industry works, and helped me develop a managerial mindset. Thanks to that, today I’m capable of managing every aspect of my music career on my own.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
NBP Human is a vehicle for expressing sharp, poetic reflections on humanity, society, and inner truth—through the gritty lens of indie and grunge rock. This is the inner voice, this is the inner sound.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Well, life kind of led me to a place where my main job is producing — I create TV shows and commercial films or videos — and alongside that, I make music. So, I’m really lucky because, in a way, my hobby and my profession have completely merged. Everything I do is connected to creativity and sound, so I can honestly say that my work is my passion in every sense.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I was shaped by many musical influences until my own individual style has formed. As they say, it is unique – that I’m very proud of. The main influences were Chris Rea, Dire Straits, Santana, U2, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Radiohead, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Coldplay, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
What I’m most proud of is that at the beginning of 2025, I was able to bring the NBP Human project back to life with renewed energy. Everything that has built up inside me over decades — musically and personally — I can finally express to the audience without any compromises, both through my music and my lyrics. And what feels truly amazing is that people all around the world are clearly and deeply resonating with my songs. And the fact that more and more listeners are connecting with them — that brings me immense joy.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Throughout my life, I’ve learned a lot and had the chance to explore many creative fields — not just in music, but also in visual and performing arts. For me, creativity and courage — sometimes even boldness or a bit of recklessness — have always been essential. I’ve always been drawn to stepping outside my comfort zone, staying curious, eager to learn, and constantly asking myself, “How can I do this in the best possible way?” that mindset has always paid off.
But perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned is never to let go of the dreams you have as a child or a young person — to hold on tightly to that inner voice, to stay true to your dreams. The rebirth of NBP Human is the result of exactly that.
Now onto your release, “You Know Me.” What inspired this song? What is “You Know Me” about?
“You Know Me” is an honest, heartfelt confession — a true declaration of love.
I’ve been shaping, refining, and perfecting it for years so that both musically and visually it could fully capture the wondrous depth and intimate magic of a love that has truly been fulfilled.
In this song, I wanted to capture the full beauty of fulfilled love — from the subtle tenderness of intimacy to the complete surrender to passion. Naturally, like all of my songs, this one also draws from my own emotions and the experiences I’ve personally lived through. It’s a kind of magic that I truly hope everyone gets to experience at least once in their lifetime.
What was the creative process like when making “You Know Me?” How long did it take to complete “You Know Me?”
This song truly evolved over many years — it was shaped, refined, and beautified with time. I often find myself just playing the guitar and freely improvising whatever I feel in the moment. One night, during one of those sessions, this song simply came to life — almost in its entirety. I recorded it right away. The next day, I made just a tiny adjustment to the vocal melody, wrote the lyrics, and then…spent years arranging, re-arranging, and re-imagining it. By this summer, I finally felt that it had found its true form — the structure, the melodies, the emotional flow — everything aligned with what I had envisioned. Then, thanks to the incredible mixing and mastering work of my sound engineer friend, Zsolt Gyulai, the song truly came to life in its final form. The result is a deep and beautiful yet powerfully passionate and dynamic song, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
How did the music video for “You Know Me” come about? What was your vision for the video?
What I really wanted to achieve with the music video was to tell the story in a deeply intimate, warm, and personal atmosphere — visually reinforcing the same emotions and narrative that the song itself conveys. I aimed for something pure, simple, and evocative — where every composition, every play of light, color, shadow, and reflection would breathe together with the music. My friend and DOP, Lóránt Hollay, created stunning imagery and captured subtle yet dynamic movements during the shoot. It was a real joy to go through all that beautiful footage and select the most powerful moments during the editing process. I’m deeply grateful to him for his incredible work. Through the color grading, I was able to further enhance the atmosphere of the video. I think it turned out really well in the end.
What is your favorite lyric in “You Know Me” and why?
“As I kiss you close my eyes
As I sink in you tonight.”
What I love most about these lines is how they capture the play, the interaction, the deep immersion and infatuation between I and you. I feel that I managed to capture, in a playful yet profound way, the complete surrender of two people to each other.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “You Know Me” and your music in general?
I honestly hope that people understand the message — that we should dare to love because to love and to be loved in return is the most wonderful and fulfilling feeling we can experience as human beings. Let’s dare to open up, dare to connect, dare to love sincerely!
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Since I’m a self-produced songwriter, performer, promoter, and manager, I’m currently focused on promoting “You Know Me.” Of course, I’m already planning my next single for early 2026, but right now, all my energy goes into the promotion and interviews for “You Know Me.” 😉
Next year, I’d like to start putting together a live band, so that we can finally bring NBP Human to the stage and perform live concerts.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbphuman
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbphuman
Or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nbphuman
Thank you for the thoughtful and to-the-point questions — I think I’ve shared everything important. I warmly invite all my fellow humans to join me on my social media platforms.
Of course, thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
