Meet Bartlomiej Chmara and Krzysztof Winter, a
new, techno inspired duo who are the latest to break out from the burgeoning
and emerging Polish dance music scene.
Under the wings of some of the country's
most talented producers and labels, these two soulful and dedicated producers
gratefully look to the past - the golden era of dance music in their
country around 1995 - and update the real sound of house and techno music for
the people. Closely guarded by themselves and others, Chmara Winter defend
the spirit and essence of dance music by shunning the big businesses and
corporations, instead choosing to keep things on underground level, something
on proud display on their new 'Szajba' EP on Your Mama's Friend, an
off kilter, tripped out, acidic roller, pushed forward by eschkewed melodies,
fading vocal samples and deep, diving basslines. Better get your act together
and recognise these two bright, integral and passionate purveyors of
experimental, auteur-driven dance...
How did you first come into producing dance music, considering
your instrumental background?
Bartek: My music production journey started in the primary school. I already
knew that my piano and classic guitar education would be just the beginning of
my music exploration. I'm very happy to meet Krzysztof Winter. Meeting him
started my techno transformation era. Our relationship gives us ability to
create our own style using both organic and instrumental sounds. I think that
my instrumental background is helping at times while producing but it's not
crucial to create electronic music today.
Kris: With me it was pretty natural; I couldn't play any instrument except
turntables. Having an Amiga Computer, I started playing with a Fastracker after
Rebirth on PC.
You're part of a long line of Polish producers who have come to the fore - how
is the scene developing in your native country?
I remember once in Eskulap club in Poznan filled
up with 1500 people till the end of the night. Years 2002-2009 was the time
where people started seeing business in it. Times of crap party’s and clubs
& festivals with shit commercial trance & house music. That was an era
of cheap, sell out of the hedonism idea. Nowadays it's better; I think most of
the people who didn't make quick business from it are gone. The Polish scene is
better than ever now. We've got really great clubs now with international
bookings every week, especially in Warsaw, Poznan and 3City. Festivals
like OpenAir, Audioriver, Selector, Tauron, Malta are all growing up to be
the most important music events in Europe.
Kris: What is essential about the Polish scene over the years is the people developed
sensibility for electronic music. You can see this through new artists coming
out from Poland succeeding around the world in the various electronic music
styles. Mind you, this wouldn't have happened without 'the technoheads' which
are the nucleus for the scene.
Obviously, you must remember a time when clubbing wasn't so prevalent - what
hardships have you faced over the years?
B: You know, the usual things from not understanding the business of the club
owners, un professionalism of the promoters, shit soundsystems…
You've released tunes on Pets Recordings and also Marcin's Your Mama's
Friend - what other labels in and outside of your country are you keen to work
with?
B: Very important for us are the people that we work with. Label for that matter
that are secondary to us. Obviously the idea, the style and the label position
on the market is convenience but if u don't feel people, work become hard
and unpleasant for both sides. We are delighted to work with Pets &
Your Mamas Friend Records. We take our time and don't wont to release
music for the sake of just releasing it. We do not rush doing music. We are not
here for the one season; we prefer to take small but solid steps. We do have proposals
from very interesting labels but we would like to keep their names secret at
this point.
How would you describe your blend of house music?
K: To be honest we prefer situations when using words you can't describe
music that you listen to but we understand this is important for the critics
and music journalists. So there you have it; somewhere in between organic tech,
dub house electronica.
What is your set up when your produce? Is it mainly soft synths and
programmes?
B: We use a little bit of both Logic 9 as a sequencer & hardware gear. Today's
music has become very digital. We do love that sound but hardware brings a
special crispness to it. Our goal while producing music is to create the sounds
that have an organic, acoustic feeling. That's why most of the sounds that we
use are made by ourselves. We sample everyday subjects that surround us and we
do this a lot. This process is very important to us.
Have you received any mentoring at all?
K: Well, we do music our own way, following our hearts, souls and ears. We do
use mentors sometimes. We are lucky enough to be good friends with the most
important electronic music producers from Poland. We do receive a lot of
support from Marcin Czubala, Catz'n'Dogz, Pol On and SLG. They
give us very worthy directives sometimes.
Krzysztof, you studied in England - did you have much time to go
clubbing over here? What are your feelings on London and its musical/club
scenes here?
K: I lived in London for 7 years and yes, I confess I did it and had the time
of my life. I was surprised at first. I came to London in 2002, from Poland,
where Detroit techno rules in underground clubs. At that time London was very
funky house and d'n'b. London didn't have many techno parties going on. The
only one night worth going [for me] was the 'Lost' parties. Venues like
Ministry of Sound, Fabric, and Turnmills never appealed to me. That wasn't an
atmosphere what I was looking for, even though they had interesting line-ups
sometimes. Living in Hackney I had walking distance to probably the best
clubbing area at the time: Shoreditch. I enjoy night life in this area long
before what it has become known for now.
I used to love to party in Premises, 93East, Mother Bar, Unit7, The Cross,
Fluid & Exit in Brick Lane where I was a resident DJ, many times
I party at secret locations [I especially liked secretsundaze events]
and I would never forget my London's top venue: Plastic People - intimate
atmosphere, grown up music for grown up's on custom-made sound
system.
What have you got planned for 2012 in terms of more releases and gigs?
K: Yes, we are finishing up our 3rd EP which will be released on Pets
Recordings. We are ultra-excited for this EP. It's a special one. We are
very happy it's going to be released for the summer as it has that warm feeling
to it. On one track on this EP, we worked with our friend Tomasz
Sroczynski - very talented new Polish electronic music producer. Keep your
eyes and ears on him! There is nothing more that I can tell u about this one
except: 'would u like to hug me?'
Szajba is
available to buy now from all good digital stores and record shops.