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I dont think that this artist needs an introduction. This is one of the best artist that I know at this very moment, and I'm very happy that I could interview him. Sometimes giving an AOTM away is an honour for the artist, but this time it's an honour for CTG. I mean, who hasn't downloaded and loved 'room 23"? I know I've played it too often. Read the interview to get to know him....
Analysis: Could you introduce yourself to the readers?
mr.s: With pleasure!
It was a hot and muggy day in May 1981 when I gave my first desperate cry for life (that actually continues to this day, hehe). Bydgoszcz has been my hometown since then, and for those interested in geography - it's situated in central parts of Poland, and once was a prosperous semi-industrial city. Musically, my hometown is claimed to be the cradle of yass (ever heard about the MÓZG club?). My thoughtful parens decided that I will attend music school, and that's how it all started. My dad was the one who enocouraged me to go beyond the school programme, and
that's how i started to copy my favorite tracks and record my own versions on my dad's Clavinova. Then my brother got his first computer, and that's when it all really started. Professionally, I'm an English teacher, and who knows, maybe I'll continue doing that for a living. However I've always dreamt about releasing my music, so who knows, maybe you'll see me on the Wal-Mart CD rack somewhere. And now for something completely different: For the thousands of my female fans craving some inside info! I'm not married, however I'm 'romatically connected' with a beautiful female photographer from Warsaw. I'm into computers (hardware and software), film, photography and of course I'm a music addict.
Analysis: How did you style develope? Were you always producing the style that you do now?
mr.s: I started 'producing' in November 1999. At the time I was a complete rookie in engeneering and recording audio, and my only tool was Cool Edit 96, which I loved and used for a very long time. My first tracks were simply a bunch of remixes (including King Crimson, Fish, Coldcut or Propellerheads).I think the first steps had an enormous impact on how I create today, making beats, pads, using effects etc. In 2000 I gathered some new material that consisted of hundreds of clips mixed together including old vinyl children's tales, radio programmes, my cousin creating rhythm from burps and ridiculous tape recorder surveys from my secondary school. I can't listen to it now, but back then it was a real editing challenge, hehe. But the gratest metamorphosis happened between 2000 and 2002 when my first album, that I can be proud of, was 'released'. I started using instruments and concentrated on the overall effect. I wanted the album to tell a story
in little pieces. Here, on CTG, you can hear one track from that album, and it's 'The Last Flight (Heaven:Closed)'. Since then, it was rather an evolution. More and more intruments played live, more attention to mix and mastering. That's how my recent style developed, more and less.
Analysis: Why do you produce?
mr.s: Good question...I've never really thought about the reason itself. I think everybody who creates knows that feeling when something's finished, this enormous drive and great satisfaction. The hardest thing is to start, then it just goes, and when it's ready you feel that it's worth living, hehe.
Analysis: What influences your music?
mr.s: Basically it's the mood I'm in, or the story I want to tell through music. There are of course hundreds of musical influences as well.
Analysis: What is it that you are trying to say to people that listen to your music?
mr.s: Heaven:Closed (album from 2002) was a story as a whole. Each track composed a little piece of it, and that's why it is good listen to them in order. It was a story of a man from his birth up to the Final Judgement, as our hero felt disappointed with the modern world and took his life to end the
torment. Then it appeared that it was just the tip of the iceberg...
My later tracks tell different stories now, they are not linked like before. For example 'Dead Babies' is my interpretation of Martin Amis' book of the same title or 'Memoirs Noir' which tries to incapsulate the pain caused by finding a heros' diary form old bad times.
Of course one may just listen to the music without trying to think what stories it tries to tell, I'm fine with that, but well, they miss some of the fun, hehe.
Analysis: Do you try to convince listeners to a certain idea with your music?
mr.s: No, definitely not. I'm not trying to preach or persuade. In fact I leave a lot of room for individual interpretation. Someone can percieve a track in a totally different way, and I love to hear about how it was understood.
Analysis: What do you like most about music?
mr.s: It's a tough question... Many times I've tried to define what's making the music 'good' in my eyes (ears?). Sometimes it's the sound itself, clear technicality, perfection and construction, but then again, some tracks lack the above-mentioned and still I love 'em very much. Conclusion? It's the
VIBE, the ATMOSPHERE, the emotional side of the track that gives me goosebumps, and that's what I try to include in my music. I hope I achieve my goal.
Analysis: Where do you want to be in 10 years from now?
mr.s: Musically, I have no idea, hehe. If you had asked me that question 6 years ago, I wouldn't have known what do you mean by that'. It's hard to tell really, I'm curious myself, how will it evolve. No particular aims, or maybe one: Finally find a record label that would love to release my stuff (so
far, a big NOTHING in this matter). Personally I would like to live abroad (UK seems to be a nice country to live in), 'coz here, I just feel I'm wasting my time and effort. And I'll be probably married by this time as well, hehe.
Analysis: How did you find CTG, and what do you think of it?
mr.s: I came across CTG probably by accident, or some of my musical friends told me about it in April 2005 or so. Mi first impression was: Wow, this site is soo well constructed it's almost a pleasure to be a part of it, and I still think that way. Well designed, friendly environment. I keep in touch with my new CTG friends, however I'n not into any forums that's why I usually talk with them on ICQ or GG (the most popular Polish communicator). A splendid site for all musicians, it's a pity however, that it's trance/experimental centered (judging from songs-per-genre). It's a great, great honour for me to be the AOTM.
Analysis: As an administrator of CTG, I'd like to say that we actually want to have a site for all musicians and not for trance/experimental producers only, but that it's quite obvious that trance-producers are more present at CTG since it's easier to make music on your own then with a band. I'd like to end the interview here, I hope you enjoyed it. Is there anything else you wanted to say to the readers this interview, that you didnt say so far?
mr.s: I want to thank everyone @ CTG for a warm welcome of my music here, and you, Analysis, for giving me the chance to give my first interview in English (I hope I didn't bore you to death). Good luck everyone.
P.S. I'm a lone-home procucer as well, hehe. |
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