Magda Goździńska-Birecka: How do you remember your participation in the “Must Be The Music” program? It was the first edition.
It was … God, it was 2011. I remember it perfectly, although a lot of time has passed. Interestingly, the emotions accompanying me are very similar to those I feel today. A few days ago I got engaged on “Halo Tu Polsat” and it was also an extremely intense experience.
From that period I remember that the only song I knew in “Must Be The Music” was “Sex on fire”. Later there was complete improvisation. When I performed the song in the next stages of the program “Hello”I started singing the first ruler, but on the other verse. (laughs) Only the producer and one friend noticed it. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with that, because at that moment emotions mattered.
Was participation in the program a difficult decision for you? Did you hesitate?
I always have some doubts, but I am very determined. I didn’t get the first time – I didn’t go further at the casting in Warsaw. I was then a friend of my friend and maybe I went too confident there. It is difficult to go back to these emotions after years, but I know that I was very violent then. It seemed to me that this program is for me and that I just had to get.
But I am a person who does not give up, so I went to another casting – this time to Katowice. I went there quietly, without telling anyone about my plan. And this time it succeeded.
And it was really far away because you reached the final …
Yes, I got to the final episode. I didn’t have specific assumptions, but I came to the program to win it. Ultimately, it failed, but in retrospect I think that I was just not ready for it yet.
I had to work through – play many concerts, cooperate with various artists … in a word: get a lesson from life.
What were the most important events in your career after participating in Must Be The Music?
I went to the United States – I was in California, Los Angeles, San Diego. I played for Polonia and I had a huge distinction – I appeared on the stage in the club in San Diego, at the same on which they toured Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé. It was a huge experience for me. I also had the opportunity to work with many inspiring artists.
Has your participation in the program have been widely heard?
Up to a point – yes. But later the gray reality came. We have many great artists in Poland, but the market is very difficult. I have a lot of talented friends who – colloquially speaking – are limited by labels and managers. Sometimes the right moments in life decide, people we meet on our way.
Who do you value cooperation with the most?
In 2011 I worked with Brian Alan – a charismatic Scot, which has been living in Poland for twenty years. We created a project in which such artists like Brothers, Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, Patrycja Kazadi and Natasza Urbańska. It was an initiative promoting Polish musicians in the West – a great idea in which I would like to get involved again.
As part of this project, I recorded two songs with Rob Hoffmanwho previously worked with Michael Jackson.
On our engagement in “Halo Tu Polsat” there was a song, which I wrote twenty -two years ago. He made it Mateusz Ziółko – It was created with the thought of singing her.
What did all these cooperation teach you?
I learned to draw conclusions and learn from my own mistakes. I have always trusted people, although today I know that this is not always a time feature. But looking from the perspective of years, I appreciate both good and difficult moments.
Besides, it appeared in my life Asia – My fiancée. It gives me subtle tips, suggests that some things can be done differently. And I … I’m stubborn. (laughs) When someone tells me something, I have natural resistance, but thanks to it sometimes I listen.
Tell about the song “In Flames” – it’s your work.
The history of this song is quite unusual. First, I turned to a friend to help me produce her. In the meantime I met Mateusz Ziółko – he won the third edition of “Must Be The Music”, and in Four we performed together on the anniversary of the program.
Two years later, his manager who knew my songs spoke to me. He proposed cooperation. I had a lot of ready material at the time, so I thought it was a great opportunity to finally share it with the world.
A few days ago, in the program “Halo Tu Polsat” you got engaged in front of all over Poland. What feeling is it?
It was an extremely special moment. The surprise for Joanna was not only the moment of the engagement, but also the performance Mateusz. She didn’t expect it! (laughter)
I was not afraid to propose in public because I know that we both want it. We have been together for several years, we understand each other perfectly and we can read ourselves without words. I am grateful to Mateusz that he agreed to sing during this special moment. Everything turned out perfectly.
What are your music plans? What are you working on now?
I have ready material for the entire album – fifteen songs in great arrangements. In addition, texts written by wonderful artists, among others Wojciech Waglewski.
There will also be two band’s songs on the album Closed wardin which I used to sing. This is a very personal project – probably the most personal in my career. I am not a session artist, I do not sing songs. I feel these songs and I believe them very much.
And how did your musical journey start?
I was thirteen when I got my first guitar from my dad. It was a mallow – such a violin guitar … (laughs) could not be played on it, but I was stubborn.
Today my journey continues and evolves. I feel that every stage of my life brings something new. I appreciate both ups and difficult moments – they shaped me.