A Sunday Conversation with Believe

When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.


What have been your musical epiphany moments?

There were a few such moments. The first fascination was with T.REX thanks to my brother. From that moment I took up playing the guitar and fell in love with rock music. Then were hard rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple which were followed by Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson.

Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?

Music comes first, then a riff. So I returned to the roots of rock music the basis of which was a guitar riff. Next we arrange the whole track, i.e. riff, musical section, vocals and lyrics.


Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

We look for inspiration everywhere. This is life which is becoming increasingly harder. Lots of things have improved in Poland, but musicians do not have it easier. A lot of music is marketed for a bit primitive commercial mass. Nevertheless, we are still fighting and inspirations are brought to us by life.


Genre's are so misleading and such a way to pigeonhole bands. Without resorting to labels, how would you describe your music?

Yes, you are right, marketing specialists do categorize music. That is often confusing for the label records. Once you start switching those categories they will not know what to do.

I think that our music is first and foremost melodic, melancholic and even sad with a great doze of emotions.


What is you musical intention? What are you trying to express or get your audience to feel?

Every artist always wants his listeners to get his music the way He wants. However, I guess that not many of the listeners do so, but that would be fantastic. I would like my listeners to feel the emotions: sadness, joy and melodies. It is good to hear that somebody is singing your song: that is very nice.


In songwriting, how do you bring the song together? What do you look for in terms of complexity? Simplicity? Time changes?

There is no strict pattern for composing music. There are different moments and different songs in which something needs to be added (e.g. a solo) or the tempo needs to be accelerated. All that depends on the very song itself.

The business of music is a brutal place. Changes in technology have made it easier than ever for bands to get their music out, but harder than ever to make a living? What are your plans to move the band forward? How do you stay motivated in this brutal business?

Yes, it is becoming increasingly more difficult. That is because of the free access to the music via Internet, appearance of baskets with CDs next to the socks in a supermarket. That in turn led to disappearance of positive attitude of the public to music, CDs and musicians.

In my opinion the status of musicians, being something more than a typical man, suffered a lot. The consequence of that is the fact that everyone thinks of himself as an artist when he writes a song on his computer. Admittedly technology has made composing music easier but it has also brought about a lot of rubbish and pseudo artists.

It is difficult to predict anything, but what I can advise to others and myself is just to love music, however strange it sounds.


What makes a great song?

Of course, there are no such songs, but as far as I am concerned, it is the melody that makes up for an ideal song.


Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?

That was a song about a prostitute that I fell In love with when I was a young boy. Together with my friends I visited a place called kongresowa which is located in Pałac Kultury, a characteristic place in Warsaw. You will definitely notice the place once you come here. The song was made up of a very simple riff and lyrics telling the story that I fell in love with a girl which turned out to be a prostitute.



What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

I do not think about that and just keep composing New songs. Every new song is the best one.

Who today, writes great songs? Why?

A lot of artists. Peter Gabriel and that is not only for his music. I find him a very interesting person. He is a member of Amnesty International and co-founder of Witness organization. He takes active part in various charity events (46664 concert or Live Aid).

I like his style and his characteristic voice and that is why I think his artistic work is great. I think that if anyone else tried to sing the same compositions, I would not like them and they were not so attractive.