Wiktor Fejkiel (Interia Music): Do you feel relieved that you have finally succeeded with this album, after so many years of releasing individual songs?
Dominik Dudek: – I feel great relief and satisfaction. I waited for this moment for quite a long time. My more serious musical career has been going on for two and a half years, but the whole musical path reaches over ten years – so it’s time to debut (laughs). I am glad that this album was created and that it is as I wanted. During all these years I struggled with many challenges and experimented with various musical styles. In the end I managed to gather these experiences into one coherent work that really reflects me as an artist.
What main thought said by writing this album?
– Each song is a reflection of some part of my life. These are my stories, postcards from my life. The whole album has been a journey over the last ten years of my life. I wanted the listeners to feel what my dear looked like and what emotions accompanied me. Writing these songs, I returned to moments that were particularly important to me – both joyful and difficult ones. I wanted every song to be honest and authentic. It’s a bit like writing a diary, but in a musical form.
Why did you decide on the debut right now?
– The music industry has changed a lot. Today, singles are more important than entire albums, but for me the album is still a destination point. However, I wanted to work on my fanbas first, reach as many people as possible so that the album could go to a wide range. If I released the album right after “The Voice”, hardly anyone would like to listen to it. In recent years I have been looking for my style, I wrote a lot of songs and and finally I felt what I want to achieve. It was a time of intensive development for me – both artistic and personal. I wanted to make sure that when I finally release a full -fledged album, he would fully represent who I am and what I want to convey to the world. And it succeeded.
How long was the work strictly on the songs that were on the album? The first of the singles came out almost a year ago …
– Works strictly on the album began in autumn that year, in October. Then I had a break related to pre -selections to Eurovision, but in March I returned to work and the album was ready for a month and a half. I wrote some songs much earlier, for example “Nine”which is almost ten years old. Most of the songs were created without thinking about the album, which gave them some authenticity. The creation process was very organic – I did not want to hurry or adjust to any frames by force.
I have to give to you that the sound of this album is extremely fresh, just mention the songs such as “after all” or “on my Own”. What do you think distinguishes this album from the rest of the albums of “Polish pop”?
– First of all, the fact that I wrote these songs and lyrics myself, recorded instruments, created everything from scratch. In addition, there is no tradition of releasing bilingual albums in Poland. I have been inspired by British music for years and I wanted it to be so. I think that the fact that the album is bilingual is one of its biggest advantages. I wanted the sound to be fresh and different than what we usually hear in Polish Pop.
Will you agree with the statement that this album is very “non -Polish”?
– I really was inspired by British music, even earlier when I played with the band. We went to the UK, where we also absorbed this whole climate. I have always dreamed of a career in the Islands, which I even tried to start moving there. However, I quickly returned to Poland because of the pandemic. This album, however, has one very nice function when it comes to stream – being abroad, only English -language tracks will appear on it. So there are really two versions of the same album – for the Polish and foreign public. However, returning to the question, does this album sound “non -Polish”? I think it sounds my way. I had to reconcile the expectations of the native public, but also my own aspirations with an attempt to reach somewhere further
Do you think there is a space in Poland for Polish artists to sing in English?
– Indeed, this space is not too much, but there are exceptions. In general, any breaking abroad is incredibly difficult and it is rather a song for the future. However, I will continue to try, because I have always dreamed of it somewhere. And yes, there are Polish songs on the album like “Since when are you”which is probably my biggest hit now, so it would be a pity not to give her. However, when it comes to my songwriting, I feel the most famous in English and I write all my songs.
Do you want to say that all Polish -language songs were first created in English, and then you “unscrewed them”?
– Yes, this is how it looks for me very often. Songs such as “Wembley”, “Last day” Whether “We will miss you too” Originally they were created in English. However, I think that the market in Poland is generally changing and people stop disturbing that a Polish artist sings in English. We live in an educated country where most of us know English, so I think it ceases to matter. Just mention the success “Hold the light”…
We will talk about pre -selections to Eurovision … However, I would like to stay in the subject of texts. A lot of stories about love on this album, but still chosen in a very pleasant light form – no load. Did you want this album to be full to your borders with your feelings?
– I am generally quite an emotional man and my songs simply reflect what I feel. For example, a song “On My Own” This is an example of a true story from my life – 5 years ago I met a girl on one of the dating sites who, after three weeks of conversation, did not believe me that I was writing songs. So I wrote for her “he Own” – a totally honest love story from my life. After I sent her her, we never talked again, but at least I now have material for the album (laughs). Well, this is the music – it is to flow from me one hundred percent. However, it is very nice that so many people want to listen to it at all. It’s like writing a book about yourself. But if they are willing, why complain (laughs).
“We Are Young (But only once)” is the debut you dreamed of?
– You can always say that I could do something better, this is also this time …
– This is mainly about small things as a little better text. or other sound at individual moments. But these are issues of criticism towards yourself that will always occur. However, I think I am very happy with how he came out.
With the already mentioned song “Hold the Light”, you took part in preselection for this year’s Eurovision. How do you feel, what could you miss to qualify for Eurovision?
– I think that above all recognition … Eurovision is a huge undertaking, where not only musical factors often decide, but also popularity and artistic experience. However, I am proud of this song and I think he had the potential to appear on the international stage. I am glad that I could take part in pre -selections at all, because it was also another cool experience.
Was it one of those songs that are written especially for Eurovision?
– I wrote it on Camp in Switzerland with people who are quite close to Eurovision. The text, for example, helped me write a girl who represented Austria with the song two years ago “Who the Hell is edgar”. In total, the same team wrote the victorious “The Code” From Nemo. So it wasn’t that simply, but somewhere in the back of the head was the thought of Eurovision. The shell was definitely favorable, but I didn’t want to compromise and this song still sounds my way.
Can you imagine going the same path – from the first singles to debut – without a background, which gave you victory in “The Voice of Poland”?
– I tried it before “The Voice” and I must admit that it was incredibly difficult. Victory in the program gave me the opportunity to enter this world, meet these people and see how it all works. Working with a large label like Universal allowed me to get to know the industry from the inside and learn many things. For me, “The Voice” was the last chance, after which I wanted to throw music on good. In the end, everything went so much that I won and we can now meet and talk about my solo debut.
Can we count in the near future to hear the new material live?
– We have already started our summer concert tour around Poland. However, in autumn, together with the Deluxe album version, we will set off with the club route. However, I will announce everything on a regular basis on my social media.
Do you plan to give yourself a moment to rest after the premiere?
– There is no chance to rest (laughs).