Up and coming act AMAROK have had seven full-length album's since formation, the band talks of their name, forming, and wanting to tour to promote their latest release and themselves as much as possible. Check it all out below, plus much more too!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Amarok is music project founded in 1999 by guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Michal Wojtas and guitarist Bartosz Jackowski. Between 2001 and 2004 Amarok released three international albums. Since 2003, the formation transformed into Michal’s solo project. 2017, after a 12-year break, Amarok’s fourth album, ‘Hunt’, was released. Special guests were again Colin Bass and Mariusz Duda. Marta Wojtas, who wrote the lyrics, also joined the line-up permanently. In 2019 Michal collaborated with British choreographer James Wilton which resulted in Amarok’s fifth album – ‘The Storm’ for the show of the same name. As of 2021, Amarok has expanded its line-up with two more musicians – Konrad Zielinski (dr) and multi-instrumentalist Kornel Poplawski. Amarok’s sixth album, “Hero”, was released in autumn 2021. Amarok became a regular band. In the middle of 2023 we started recordings for the newest album “Hope”. Amarok also tours, sharing the stage with artists such as Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Gazpacho, Riverside and many others.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
The name Amarok was inspired by Mike Oldfield's album of the same title. In the 1990s I was fascinated by Oldfield's music. Currently, Amarok is the mythological Inuit wolf for us.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We are based in Warsaw. The Polish rock scene is pretty big. You've probably heard of bands like Riverside or Collage.
4. How would you describe your style?
For me this is difficult to describe our style in one word. I think that this is a combination of different things. If you’ll take a piece of rock and mix it with such genres like electronica and folk music you got what we play. The key is a making right balance for each genre in the right proportions. Some describe as neo progressive rock band. We take something from the past, something that inspired us at the time and then try to add a fresh and modern vibe into this.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
Amarok's latest album, is the seventh in the band's discography. In addition to the Amarok records, I have also recorded other albums, such as for the pop-rock band I used to play in - Uniqplan 'Wilderness' or also Michal Wojtas' solo 'Lore' with music for a performance by British choreographer James Wilton - it is Slavic folk.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
We are currently focused on touring to promote the Hope album but it is always after the release of a new record that the time comes to think about the next album. For me it has already started :)
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
Yes, we have just started with a tour of Poland, then we will play festivals and in the autumn we are planning a tour of Europe. In general, we love our audience, which grows bigger every year and with every album. Each time the audience shows very positive feedback, which gives us great strength and each time we look forward to the next tour.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
We just want to do what we do by making music, releasing new albums and playing all over the World. Last year we played in South America. It was amazing. Would be nice to do a US tour. We’ll see.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Our music is present on all streaming platforms, including Bandcamp. For lovers of physical media, we have CDs as well as beautifully released vinyl in various colours! Just go to our website www.amarok.pl. You can also hear us live. Be sure to check out our website amarok.pl , maybe we'll play in your town soon!
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
For us, it is a pleasure to hear or observe the reactions of our listeners. We would like our listeners to fall in love with our music for the first time and stay with us forever. :) Thank you! - Michal
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