Dear readers, in this article we have the pleasure to offer you an interview with an interesting Polish project that combines instrumental Post-Rock and Post-Metal, with a newly released album. We welcome Kamyki.
Hi, nice to have you among our pages, how are you?
“Hi, Kacper from Kamyki here, a music project from Glogow, Poland. I’m very excited to be here, thanks! Happy to share some insights about my music.“
You are a composer and multi-instrumentalist, how did your passion for music start?
“My grandparents on both sides were musicians, my sister was a cellist, and my brother played some guitar, so it was only a matter of time before I started playing as well. My main instrument has always been the guitar, but over the years, Iāve discovered that learning instruments comes quite easily to me. My brother, besides showing me my first chords, also gave me the ‘right’ bands cassettes and CDs to start my musical journey.“
You play instrumental Post-Rock/Metal, how did your passion for these sounds come about and what are your sources of inspiration?
“I donāt actually listen to this genres as much as some might think because I donāt want to fall into the trap of unconsciously copying someoneās ideas or getting caught up in their moods. My sources of inspiration have changed over the years, but rock music – broadly speaking – has always been my foundation. However, I find inspiration everywhere: in ambient and electronic music, old goth and proto-punk bands, classical music or even pop.”
Your new album āShortcutsā is out today, March 11, 2025, how would you describe this work?
“This album takes Kamyki in a new direction. It leans more toward ambient, krautrock, and space influences, moving away from standard verse-chorus structures and riffs in most cases. But at its core, I still consider it rock music, I think.“
Despite being instrumental tracks, is there a theme that characterises the album?
“Iād say the main theme of this album is exploring alternative tones and melodies while keeping things simple, without diving into overly complex structures.“
Being a one-man band, what instrumentation did you use to make the album?
“On my albums, I use electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, synths, and percussion accessories like tambourines and shakers. Iāve also played drums for a while, very basically, but it has given me some insight into programming drums so they sound the right way.“
How does the creative process of your music take place?
“In most cases, I start with a fundamental guitar theme rather than a synth theme, then gradually build up other instruments and parts. I always approach music like a composer when I develop some specific part, I usually have other instruments in mind at the same time, and they naturally come together. Of course, I often make changes along the way, sometimes even moving parts to different tracks, but overall, they tend to click. When making an album on my own, I always have a general direction in mind for where I want to go.“
The cover features a nice image, who made it and what meaning does it have?
“I donāt know who took the original image. It was one of those stock images available for free download, which can be used both commercially and non-commercially. The rest of the design, such as the logo, framing, and colors is mine. To me, the image might represent a shortcut in life, which can be beneficial but also very dangerous.“
Will there be a chance to hear your music live, or is this a studio-only project?
“I’m always open to the idea of turning this into a full band. However, since I live away from large urban areas or more precisely cities where more musicians live, itās difficult to find the right people to play with.“
This is your third studio album, how has your sound evolved over time?
“I donāt think my tracks are becoming more expansive or complex from album to album, but at the same time, thereās more happening in them. I also feel that my work as a music producer has developed.“
Music is constantly evolving, how do you see today’s scene in your country and more generally in your musical genre?
“I think music is heading in the right direction overall. In my country, some people claim that music ended in the ā90s or 2000s, but I believe theyāre just enjoying the same bands from their younger years or looking for new music in the wrong places. There are plenty of great bands nowadays.“
Do you have any other artistic activities or passions outside music?
“Probably not. I think I could have been a painter or some kind of graphic designer if, as a child, I had pursued that path instead of music. But that’s just only my guess.
I thank the artist for the interview and wish him all the best for the release of his new album and the continuation of his artistic career.
“Thank you, and all the best to the Progressive Rock Journal fans!“
Purchase the new album “Shortcuts” here: https://kamyki.bandcamp.com/album/shortcuts
