ARTYFICTION INTERVIEW

HI THERE THANKS FOR ANSWERING SOME QUESTIONS FOR US.

You’re welcome, thanks for having us. Let us introduce ourselves then. We are Artyfiction, musical band from Wrocław, Poland. Wojciech Bator, Dariusz Kawa, Mirosław Berg and Jakub Dąbrowski are band members. Hello :)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM/ PROJECT?

Our second album, which we recently recorder, goes by the name of “Firing Line”. It has it’s obvious meaning - you can imagine the first picture and see the gunners standing and shooting. We think that it also symbolizes being in the heat of criticism, and that’s where we were mostly during composing the pieces. There’s also one more way of interpreting this idiom and this is important one - take the idiom directly as a line of fire, a path of fire, and realize our lives is just like that - it’s like walking on hot coals. Life is full of unusual moments and strong emotions and this is fantastic, yet dangerous journey. It’s easy to go astray, to lose your guardian angel and get into trouble. Sometimes the paths are crossing and these are the other people you approach. They may follow you, go together, slow you down or end your path. Millions of combinations here and we thought, we’ll gonna present this existential subject in such a way. Therefore, the sound is heavier than on our first album “Preliminaries”, and we went fully instrumental. Don’t worry though, “Firing Line” is diverse and full of various flavours, just like in life.

WHAT INSPIRED ANY CENTRAL THEMES ON THE ALBUM?

As you may imagine from our previous answer, the life is central theme on the album. It’s a phenomenal thing. You learn it, dig it for, well, your whole life and it always surprises you and brings you something new. It’s also very unique and personal, thus being vast theme for musicians. It brings countless possibilities, but we were focused mostly on existential aspect and we narrowed down presentation to paths of fire as symbols of life.

HOW LONG DID YOU SPEND RECORDING?

Recording process was quite fast. Every band member was able to record all his material in about 3 days. So, in total, that’d be 12 working days of our work. But the whole process of recording, mixing, mastering, last touches took over the month to finish. Overall, we are very happy and proud of final result.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT THE SONGWRITING PROCESS?

We compose together. It starts from one’s idea, but then everyone dig it either accepting or rejecting the concept. Out of these stubs we compose together. We think it’s obvious when one is listening to the album - even though it’s instrumental, it sounds very rich and full of melodies, riffs, solos and content. That’s because everyone actively participated in songwriting and put a lot of effort into his part. We gladly accept others initiative and ideas and work together on this. We have a lot of ideas and most of them are filtered by the others or just are there waiting for appointed time. We have plenty more ideas to turn into songs right now, shaping them and getting ready.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TRACK FROM THE ALBUM?

It depends. Each of us likes different styles and, thus, songs on the album. Some of us may feel more connected to certain songs, as maybe he was the initiator of the song. We like the single that’s already on Youtube, “On death and dying”, which is about five stages before death. Yeah, we also touch death topic on life-focused album :) But not exactly death actually, despite the name, but life stages before it. We like “Stiction” and “Inflamer” songs, also quite suggestive. They are not published yet, but they will hit the ground 8.09.2019, when we present the album to the audience.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

We are inspired by many music genres and we are inspired obviously by progressive bands such as Haken, Dream Theater or Symphony X, but also by extraordinary people, not just musicians directly. Quincy Jones for example. We are influenced by books too, crime fiction, fantasy, novels to name a few. And day-to-day life influences us obviously, because we observe carefully and analyze.

HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?

Artyfiction started in 2018. We joined the project gradually, some of us long before it was called like this. Then the band members were constantly replaced by the others and now we finally have stable crew. We mostly found ourselves by internet - there was a post that the band is looking for X instrument or vocal guy to play progressive music. Then some trials and rehearsals and the strongest prevailed.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE STARTING OUT?

Obviously stay dedicated and practice. But also, and this is more important, get to know yourself. Listen to yourself. Think, for what you play the music and why? What drives you? Sit there in silence and contemplate it. Find your answers in it. Best melodies and best answers come in silence, really. Because they are yours. Play yours music, not the other band’s. Respect music as an art, because that’s how it is and it will be fantastic journey.

WHAT IS NEXT?

We booked shows at autumn to promote “Firing Line”. We also want to go abroad, maybe hit the road if it’s possible. We think, there’s a chance to create concept album next, so there’s a lot of things to do next. As young, self managed and not known in broader aspect band, all is on our shoulders really, but we love to play and compose and we are not afraid of anything, nor stopping, rather gaining appropriate velocity. Thanks for this interview and stay tuned for new stuff from us. Cheers!