Polska Muzyka
Hey ! Welcome to Poland !
Now we're entering a region where we really don't speak the language - at all. (Actually, thinking about it, none of us speaks Sámi either. But still.) Przepraszam, nie rozumiemy po Polsku.
That's the name of the game, and we knew we wouldn't be able to learn everything, unfortunately. That will definitely have an impact on this project, as understanding lyrics and texts is a big part of what makes music interesting : hear what artists have to say about what they decide to write about.
That being said, it doesn't mean discovering new regional music has no value, even if we don't understand it.
We actually published an article discussing just that.
In two words, connections & traditions.
In a little bit more than two words, taking the time to get yourself explained the songs that are relevant and interesting to people from a different background to yours helps you create connections between you and others, and connects yourself to the meaning of these songs, and therefore to the culture of the place. Also, melodies don't need translation, instruments and music traditions are wordless. Music is by nature more than just lyrics - otherwise it's just poetry.
So ! Poland ! What do you have to offer ?
Maybe some of you know already that Frédéric Chopin was Polish. Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin was his real name. But maybe you didn't know that his sister stole his heart from his corpse after he died and smuggled it out of France in a bottle of Cognac to re-burry it in Warszawa, after his own wish. Maybe you did. Fun facts !
Well, first of all, a good friend recommended some absolute GEMS in terms of Folk music : Dikanda, Folk band from Szczecin playing a mish-mash of different regional music with diverse influences, as well as Dagadana, a Polish-Ukrainian band blending genres between Folk, Jazz and especially Electronica. Absolutely great stuff, dziękuję Ania !
*edit from June 12024* We just saw them live in Reykjavik, that was absolutely incredible!! Go and see them if you have the chance!!
In terms of Folk music, we discovered the Carpathian string band Vołosi, a real pleasure to listen to.
She also recommended a pretty great album made by Voo Voo i Haydamaky, collaboration between two bands, and another Folk band that went to be recommended later on a few times : Kapela ye Wsi Warszawa - Warsaw Village Band - another banger.
Some of the bands we got recommended once we arrived to Poland included a couple of Punk inspired bands - Podogno, this one apparently has the reputation of being quite unique, and Pidżama Porno. Maybe a bit more Ska for the latter ? Some member of this band would later form another one called Strachy Na Lachy, a little less energetic in style, still quite good, and it was actually the band that got the most recommended, by nearly everyone, during this trip, so it must surely mean something for people over there !
In a relatively similar style, with maybe a bit of Folk in there, and really quite catchy, we listened a bit to the band Enej too.
Another one that was recommended quite a lot was Lady Pank. Quite popular Rock band since the 80's, they will also release an album in English in 2007 that got them a little bit of international attention.
There's also the Blues - Rock band Dzem that we heard a couple of times here and there. For these ones, it's true it's harder to judge it when you don't understand anything - sounds alright, though !
If we're talking about the big names of Polish Rock, we probably have to mention bands like Perfect or Budka Suflera, as it seems to be some of the most renowned to date.
There seems to be a big Rock & Punk-Rock scene in Poland actually, and we got recommended other bands like Kult, Republika or Kazik. In a relatively more recent wave, other bands like Happysad seem to be quite popular over there. If we're going a bit further into heavier stuff, you'll have the extreme Death Metal band Behemoth, if it's your thing.
A band we discovered here and that was really surprisingly great was Helroth. They describe themselves as Ethnic Pagan Metal - seem to be blending Folk and Heavy Rock quite well. Reminded us of Garmarna, that we discovered in Sweden. Funnily enough, it doesn't seem to be the only one in the country, and we also got to discover Cronica, a little bit in the same vibe.
Then there's the Punk-Folk-Rock-Trance band Żywiołak. A whole different thing. Amazing.
Our friend Mr Tomek recommended a few bands as we met in Poland : a Pop-Rock Band with apparently quite a funny and clever way of writing lyrics called SMKKPM, as well as another band blending Punk & Reggae (which was actually mentioned quite a few times) called Akurat.
We heard about a few Pop bands too : Ich Troje, that have represented Poland in the Eurovision in 2003 & 2006, Kayah - a quite popular artist, that also sings in English - and Mela Koteluk, for example.
Asking around, we also got to learn about some other kind of interesting bands : EKT Gdynia, for example, that would mostly sing Polish sailor music. We learned about Marek Biliński, sort of pioneer in Polish Electronica - there's a bit of Kraftwerk or the Yellow Magic Orchestra in there, pretty good !
Last thing, we also learned about a funny genre : DISCO POLO. Apparently, it started in the late 80's / early 90's, after the end of the communist period. Very simple and cheesy lyrics, upbeat Electronic tunes. It was first played at wedding parties, this kind of things. You know small towns' discotheques ? Well, a bit like that, but Polish. If anyone is interested, a couple of bands : Akcent & Top One. Good luck !
