OUT NOWGetting To Know EMAZE
Artist name and location?
Emaze, Manchester UK
Introduce yourself in one paragraph:
My name is Andrzej, and I am a Polish artist living in Manchester. Currently, I’m a part of several musical projects, and emaze is one of my solo journeys.
I also have new exciting things I’m working on right now with other musicians.
Were you connected with music from a young age, or anyone in particular inspired you?
Music was always present in my life.
From the earliest years, it always moved me and spoke to me in different ways. But the very first time it sparked the creative process was in the 1999 when I heard the heavy sound of bands like Korn, Tool, Massive Attack or Sigur Ros, especially album Agaetis Byrjun, which is very dear to me.
Since then, my musical horizons have expanded, and almost every day, I find and hear something new.
So, to me, inspiration is something that has evolved since I was a teenage boy, and it still evolves. I doubt that it will ever stop.
What first kickstarted your musical career?
When you listen to a particular kind of music, you start to meet people with a similar taste. That’s what happened to me. In my early years, I’ve met some guys, and we just started playing in a garage. I guess that’s how many musicians started their careers back then.
Over the years, you go through different fazes, your inspiration evolves. If one project ends, you start another and so on.
How do you balance two other projects alongside your solo project?
That’s easy, the main thing is that there’s no pressure from anyone.
To me, each project is very unique.
I balance everything based on my current emotional state. In each, I can find relief or happiness.
Tell us more about your sound and how it has evolved.
The sound of emaze isn’t complicated at all. I’d say it’s very minimal and simple. The main thing in it is the heavy bass, drums, and melancholic, but at the same time melodic vocal.
The sound evolved over the years in my head. When I wrote the first song, it stayed pretty much the same until the first album was released. Saying that, the second album is almost complete, and on this album, the sound evolved into something deeper and darker.
Tell us more about the project and what inspired it. It’s arguably quite edgy. What comes to mind for you when you think about this album?
I really feel that emaze has its own unique sound. I struggle to compare it to anything I know. Even though I took the best out of my deepest inspirations and carved out the pieces that I liked the most, I shaped it all into this scary creature that hides in the shadow within me. I feel like it will fully show itself on my next album.
That’s what emaze is to me. It’s a scary journey inside myself, and this album is like a bridge.
Any words you want to share to encourage other artists and producers?
Never give up.
And if at some point you really feel that you want to, then do it.
But don’t worry, if music really is your passion and it has a special place in your heart, it’ll always come back for you.
Taking a break can do wonders.
Networking, consistency, character, approach… what and how do you initiate your Industry relationships?
I haven’t really done much in that matter, to be honest.
I did reach out to Ditto to help me publish this album online. I also might get a gig in Leeds at some point in the near future. I talked with the organisers of one event. They liked my album and said they will be in touch when the time is right, so fingers crossed.
It’s an evening with polish artists living in the UK.
Is there anyone specific you’d like to thank that has helped you evolve and why?
There are few people. I won’t mention everyone, but I’d like to thank my dear friend Tim G, who’s not with us any longer, and Max. They both helped me a lot when it came to singing and recording the vocals. I’m very thankful to both of them for teaching me and showing me the fundamentals I can build on.
Name 3 albums or labels that have inspired you the most.
Sigur Ros – Agaetis Byrjun
Massive Attack – 100th Window
Korn – Issues
What’s your favourite piece of studio equipment or software?
I love my Shure SM7B dynamic studio microphone, it’s a beautiful and unbelievably sensitive piece.
Name your favourite club or festival in the world, and how does it make you feel?
There’s a club in Manchester called Band On The Wall. A few years back, every last Friday of each month, there was a night called soul:ution. It was dedicated to atmospheric liquid drum&bass organised by the late Marcus Intalex,the owner of the label Soul:R. I used to love going there. I’ve made many friends in that club and met many great people.
Nothing really came close to that event after they ended it.
Name an outlandish rider request?
I’m not a touring artist yet, so I don’t, and I won’t have any requests.
Favourite clubbing memory, who or what did it involve?
That has to be one involving one of my best friends, James.
After a long night out at a concert of Who Dem Sound in Manchester, there were only three people left on the dance floor ,excluding the staff.
It was the DJ, me, and James, that’s how we met.
We have been in touch ever since.
What quote represents you best?
” Life is too short not to create something with every breath you draw ” – Maynard James Keenan
If you could play any venue, where would it be and why?
Pol’and’Rock formerly known as Woodstock Festival Poland. It’s a fantastic and free festival with a great crowd and a good cause.
Music is….. (explain more)
Always in my heart.
One song you really couldn’t live without?
Sigur Ros – [E-Bow]
Name drop your favourite tunes, artists or DJs (past or present)
Tool, Sigur Ros, A Perfect Circle, Korn, Massive Attack, Puscifer, Primus ,Ott
What was your first music opportunity, and how did it fuel your fire?
It was when we’ve created our first band. It was a cover band, and we played songs of groups like Pearl Jam or Black Sabbath. Very quickly, I realised that copying someone’s song wasn’t enough for me, and I began writing my own stuff.
Tell us more about your plans for the future.
For now, I will just keep working on my second album and all the other projects, things are going great.
I’d like to find more opportunities to play live somewhere.
I’m also learning a little about making videos, so in the future, I can make my own.
Any worldly advice you’d like to share?
Be your best self.
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