Stay With Me Q&A
1. You recently released your debut EP, Cloud Walker. How was the writing process for this project? And what was the inspiration for it?
Kiril (Drums, percussion and electronics): I think Artur will describe it better than me, as he was involved in whole process.
Artur (Guitar,bass,vocals, electronics and piano): The writing process was unusual, at least for me, for a lots of different reasons. I wanted to start something fresh, something new, and since I couldn’t find at that time anyone who will want to play with me, I said to myself “Okay, you can do it”, and I started recording ideas. After I think a month I had guitars for 10 songs, and at the same time I was writing lyrics to them, then the bass drums and I know its nothing special to the moment you’ll realize that I’ve done it in my bedroom (laughs). I had a little help with bas parts from my amazing friend Marcin Bytnar, who tought me a lot about harmonies, and playing bas in general. Vocals were recorder in a “SoundProve” studio and they’ve done the mix. During this whole process I met Kiril, we bonded instantly and he had an impact on that EP too. Like, I never really thought that anyone would like to listen to that, but I turned out to be great. It have slow songs, faster and electronic songs, and I think I kinda treat is as a demo to what will be on our debut album, cause we both have crazy ideas, we are on the same page with everything so you will see this electronic pop rock in full glory then. But still I’m very proud of cloud walker and I wouldn’t change a thing, its perfect as it is and now we now what to do next, how to evolve as a duo.
2. What’s your favourite track from the EP and why?
-Kiril: I’d say “Gossip in The Stars” and “Frozen Pictures”. Because lots of drums there!! (Kinda joke). Well, they are quite energetic, groovy and they just “hooked” me. That’s what I need from song!
-Artur: Haha Kiril full of energy as always (laughs) So for me that’s a hard one,because it’s like picking your favourite child. I love all of them and they all have their place in my heart, but if I have to pick one I would probably go with “Gossip in stars”; it has the same theme of feeling lost and feeling alone in this world and that everyone wants you to fail,but you have to keep going; but this one was the first one that I wrote for this EP so maybe that’s the reason (laughs)
3. Tell us a bit about yourselves. How did you guys meet and chose to form a band?
A: Damn, I could wrote a book about that, like a story of never giving up on your dreams (laughs) But long story short, name “stay with me” comes from song by You Me At Six; and how I met Kiril? I send him a message “Bang Bang Dam Dam da da dada crash crash crash” which translates from drummish as “Hey, wanna play together and have fun doing it? Here’s demo of one song” and everything since then is history.
K: - Oh, that’s story of “Saving of Private Drummer!” (kinda joke again). But yeah, in general, when I came in Katowice by work proposal in IT sphere, I wanted to continue playing drums, because I love it. But it appeared hard to find something interesting here and I even lost hope . And once I checked a post in one of special polish music forum which was saying that “DRUMMER IS NEEDED!” for some interesting project. That’s how I became part of SWM.
4. How would you describe your sound? What do you hope people take away from your songs?
K: - Well, I would say that its soft pop-rock music with some electronics and Dance influence. That music is good for dancing, Driving, listening at Home. And there are some soft, slow tracks that will make you stop everything and just listen that soft music, sweet text and think, think about anything what is important and close to you.
A: Damn man, I have a tear in my eye (laughs) you said everything that I wanted, so I have nothing to add to it, besides that there’s a lot of crypted things in lyrics, so its open for interpretation, and every interpretation is good because we can listen to the same track but I can have different meaning to us. That’s the beuty of music, and I hope that our songs will help someone get through hard times of their lifes and help celebrate great moments.
5. Was music part of your lives while growing up? What drew you to become musicians?
A: Music was huge part of my life since I was a kid, it helped me get through a lot of stuff that happened along the way and without it I don’t know who would’ve be today. I wanted to play music since I remember, no for money, girls and stuff like that but to be myself and to help people. And Nirvana album “In Utero” was the album when I decided I want to pick up the guitar, and that you don’t have to be perfect singer or guitar player to be musician, as long as you stay true to yourself. That why I have this angel from “In Utero” album cover tattooed on my right arm.
K: -Yes, music followed me during all my life. I fell in love with good old rock music when Dad gave me tapes of Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple. After some years after, I was on rehearsal of some domestic band and then I understood that I want to be a Drummer. They are loud, they are energetic, they make people move to the groove. And good Drum set looks great (Laughs).
6. If you weren’t musicians, what would you guys be doing?
K: Maybe I’m lucky, because I AM doing now what I love. I always was interested in IT sphere, gadgets and Soft Development. SO, I think IT + Drums – that’s ideal for me. If not IT and Drums…then…I don’t know… Guitar Player? (OMG, laughing out of loud, almost dies).
A: Batman! (laughs) but for real, I don’t know what I would be doing without music, probably I would be a bigger streamer than I am right now (twitch.tv/ravencalledsnejku) cause I would have more time for it or a teacher of P.E. or English in college or middle school.
7. Who would be your dream collaboration?
A: All Time Low, You me at six, Yellowcard , Rise Against, Foo Fighters, NOFX, Bad Religion and many many more.
K: I didn’t get the question
A: (Laughs)
8. What was the first album each of you ever bought?
K: - From my birthday till 16 years I lived in Turkmenistan, this is a country in a middle Asia and music industry was really poor there. And all my music library was made of re-recording of my friend’s tapes. But first real official tape that I bought was Deep Purple “In Rock” and Offspring “Americana”.
A: Whoa man! The same album! My first was also Offspring “Americana” album. It was the first time I heard pop-punk/punk genre and feel in love with it since then.
9. If you were given the chance to pick one artist/band to tour with which one would it be and why?
K: Oh wow… Well… If we take heavy music, then maybe Gojira and Iron Maiden is best for me, and for not heavy stuff I’d say Red Hot Chili Peppers and Robbie Williams. That’s one of greatest bands to play with.
A: For Me definetly All Time Low or Rise Against, both of them had an enormous impact on me and helped me go through a lot.
10. Are you planning to hit the road and go on a tour to promote your music any time soon?
K: - For sure as we get proper fit and longer tracklist, we will try to make a Tour. Or just separate gigs as many times as possible
11. What music are you currently listening to?
A: right now I listen to older records of 21 pilots,Yellowcard, +44, Angels and Airwaves and also to the brand new All Time Low record; plus bands like Foo Fighters, Incubus, Bad Religion and many many more. For me days are too short to listen to all of them so im trying to listen to piece of every band every day, and yeah it also depends on my mood, but still a lot of bands currently (laughs)
K: -Well, now I have a mix of all my favorites. I just turn on shuffle and that’s all. In that mix you can find a lot heavy music, pop, rap, hard rock, jazz and funk. Best bands from all genres.
12. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life which one would it be and why?
K: - that’s the hardest question! I have a folder in player which is called “Various Artist”. That’s one of my favorites! (laughs). But yeah, if we are talking about certain band I’d take Iron Maiden “Rock in Rio”. That’s live album that I can listen forever
A: oh that’s a though one! There are a lot of great albums, and it so hard to choose one! But hmmm let me think, if I have to and I’ll be on a desert island I would go with All Time Low “Dirty Work” album or their “So wrong it’s right” album, cause both of them have very special place in my heart and history.
Holy crap! What a nice band! I hope they'll publish some more music cause i really dig it! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletethey are quite good. if they keep working on their sound it will be even more polished and may attract a wider public. :)
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