Monday 17th January was the beginning of the Winter Holiday and gave me an oppurtunity to travel and catch up with friends. I went to the northern city of Toruń, so called the gingerbread town. I was expecting everything to be made of gingerbread, but was sadly disappointed. Though I didn't get to see a great deal of the city as Toruń seems to attract those wanting to chat about philosophy, art, religion and mythology deep into the small hours of the morning. But I did manage to pay a visit to an art gallery with an exhibtion by the video artist Wojciech Bruszewski. An experimental video artist who was one of the main forces in Polish experimental film and animation providing inspiration across the world of video art. Not to forget he was from Łódź! (See the post below for the video 'Yyaa')
Poznań
Back to Łódź on Wednesday 19th. On the Friday 21st I met with Łódź noisy types Trauma Unit and recorded a harsh noise jam. A final mix has been made, but I won't be uploading it until we've recorded the second track in time for the release. A few days to relax and hen off to Poznań to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor on Saturday 22nd. Though I was quite sceptical about seeing Godspeed as their music can be quite a personal, uplifting moment and not something I wanted to risk seeing in a live environment. But they were satisfying, the only problem being that there were far too many people there. Hot, cramped and the smelly atmosphere gave it a dark cloud. But as with home listening, I got the thrills and reflective low points that their music creates so well. Unluckly, there was no Couchsurfing that weekend, but me and my fellow traveller were saved by a hostel. We meet a Portuguese guy who had been living in Warsaw for two years and it was great insight into another foreigner's view on living in Poland. Another chance to wander around another pretty Polish city, though the biting cold made it less fun. I saw most of what I'd seen on previous visits but had the chance to chat about multi-culturalism, xenophobia and cultural and national stereotypes with fellow Łódź Comenius Assistant. Stereotypes and lies seem to wear the same masks in different countries. Monday 24th brought an arrival of friends from Manchester. Sadly no major cultural events to report back on, other than our chronic addiction to dubstep and rekindling our inner child and immaturity, all good. We did visit a benefit gig for Women's Day at the CDQ squat in Warsaw but was quite a confusing and strange night. I have a few photos, but I've attached photos from Callum's snaps as they look rather splendid.
by Callum Cox (Łódź)
The following week on Wednesday 2nd February I started practicing with Samba drumming group, Rhythms of Resistance. Rhythms of Resistance is a relativley new movement in the world of activism, originating in London in 2000. There are now groups in Berlin, Paris, Sofia, Manchester, Tel Aviv, Cordoba, Milan and many more. Here's the website from the Berlin group with more info, videos,links and ideas and help on how to start your own group.The group size can vary between 6 - 10 people and the positions and line up can change from week to week. It's a refreshing change to be playing something so different and the collective aspect is really rewarding. In my next post I'll report back on the recent demonstrations we've been on. I am also conducting an interview with the group in the next few days.
Endnote
by Callum Cox
As mentioned, the Samba group has kept me busy and I've attached a video with a small of example of what we play.
I've also started playing in a grind/crust/powerviolence band with two guys from Łódź. We currently have no name yet and are still in our infant stage. I predict, or hope, that by the end of April we'll be ready to play.
On a recent treasure find in our flat, my flatmate discovered a box of old tapes from years gone by. I now have a huge stack of old tapes, including some crucial Polish music. Highlights being Dezerter and Kaliber 44. Dezerter are one of Poland's most long standing hardcore punk bands, their early recordings (late 70s - eary 80s) having a profound effect on the Polish scene. Kaliber 44 were one of Poland's first hip hop groups and like Dezerter have been a wealthy source of inspiration.
I've been trading a lot recently and recieved some experimental and noise cassettes and CDs from a label owner and artist in Warsaw. Works by - Maaaa, XVP, Annna, Bartek Kalinka, Innovative Noodle Culture and Miotła. A review to follow shortly.
