Interview with Amarok

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

When I was 6 years old, my parents discovered my musical talent and sent me to a music school, where I started learning to play the violin. Then, at the age of 16, I asked my mother to buy me a bass guitar. And these two instruments (violin and bass) accompany me to this day, and I am almost 50 years old.

A person's calling is irrevocable, as I learned firsthand. I tried to escape from music many times, but each time my escape turned out to be a failure.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I am lucky to live close to a large Polish National Park. I like to go for walks there. And when I walk, that's when the best ideas come to my mind.

How long has your band been around?

The band has been around for about 20 years, but I joined the band only 4 years ago.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

As I mentioned earlier, I live near Warsaw, the capital of Poland, near a large Kampinos National Park. Apart from walks into the forest, I often record sounds of nature there, which I later use for music productions.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

The name of the band was chosen by Michal in 1999, as he was a big fan of Mike Oldfield music, and got impressed with the album ‘Amarok’. But it is also related to the legend of Inuits, about the wolf Amarok which is not a typical wolf because he hunt alone and has extraordinary power. Nowadays we are closer to this meaning as we value the power of life and nature and its influences on the music we create.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Crescendo Festival, Saint Palais-sur-Mer, France. From the stage, we were happy to admire the beauty of Pacific Ocean’s majestic waves. The second similar show, Crecendo Festival in French Guiana, where, behind the stage, there was a branch of the Amazon River with tiny crocodiles swimming in it.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

There are many scenes we are to visit. We definitely want to play at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the National Philharmonic in Warsaw. We are on an upward wave, so, with good winds, it should be possible.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Personally, I would support Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr All Star Band. But the other members of Amarok would probably choose someone else.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Composing together as much as possible, avoiding arguments as much as possible, agreement is more important than being right.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

I would spend more time practicing my instrument and composing, and I would waste less time on my smartphone.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

My flagship song is Queen, from the album Hope. This is the first song that is musically entirely mine. I also made my vocal debut in it.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I like to play many songs, each has something that intrigues me. It may not be obvious, but I like playing the piano, so the songs "What you saw" and "Simple Pleasures" are my first choice. And the most frequently chosen single is "It's not the End".

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

As a rule, each team member creates alone. Then we bring our ideas to the rehearsal room. Then these ideas are being played and processed so that they sound like... Amarok :) We modernize the Vintage, smooth out the Hard Rock, and replace Folk with Electro.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

“Better Tomorrow for Humanity”, “Hope beyond the Horizon”, “Light shines up Darkness”

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Of course, there are animosities. Sometimes a simple conversation is enough to clear up misunderstandings. Sometimes a democratic vote is needed. The rule that „peace of mind is more important than being right” is also true.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Now we are just finishing Polish part of the Hope tour. During summer 2024 we are playing at Loreley Festival - it is a great distinction and ennoblement for us. Late autumn 2024 will be the second, European part of the Hope tour. In the meantime, we are collecting musical ideas. We hope for a good future, we feel strong feedback from our fans and by that we are feeling encouraged.