Questions and answers

Q: What kind of music - in your own words - do you make?
A: Electronic. Sometimes it's jazzy, sometimes it's cold beat, sometimes gloomy, yet other times something elsish, creaky and insectish sounding. I have always had trouble naming it, like most of the artitsts that experiment with music. I've even produced some metal pieces, or I guess today you'd call that hard rock or rock or something along these lines... That, however, originated from a work I was commissioned to do for a brewery with a tough guy image. But when I started doin' metal, I actually got to like it, you know, the loud noise in the headphones, distorted guitar and stuff. And I haven't listened to rock for over 12 years, until just recently that is... I still don't, but I had to for research purposes. It's got its kicks, but I prefer the insects. OK, next question please.

Q: What inspirations do you have?
A: Ah, a pain in the ass you are. Inspirations... Without a chronological order, musicwise it's Psychic TV, Coil, Aphex Twin, Jan Jelinek, Autechre, Stockhausen, Philip Glass. And many more, just don't have them at tip of my tongue. I really like making minimal classical, although I don't know why I haven't published it here on this site. Maybe it's this complex of not having classical musical education. I don't know. Once I get over that trip, I'll edit this answer and place that music here. As far as films go, shit man, I don't remember. I like Lars von Trier's films, but if you were to look for traces of him in my music, you'd be in for a disappointment. One big inspiration for me is the Orient, but it does not translate into music either, it influences my life rather than the music directly (which means it influences indirectly).

Q: What are your achievements to this day?
A: Sorry to say that - not too many. I'm the kind of musician, who has been doing stuff for the drawer - it is full of my music. I've been working on setting up this site since I don't know how long. Usually it takes me a while, before I decide to go out to people with something. One thing I do know - making music is my passion and sooner or later I will grow up enough to come out of the closet with it and slap the world with it. I perform (VERY rarely) under my stage name - Jerzy Korzen and also as part of an art group known in English as Lyyying Community and you can visit its site here. Actually, within LC I've produced the boldest pieces that have gone public - many events were accompanied by catalogs with an accompanying CD. It held the music from the installation. On the commercial side, I've also scored a deal for sound design and soundtrack production for a game that was finally shelved. It was the Mutant Chronicles. So I cannot brag about it and show the proof. I've participated in a couple of projects where I was hired and the projects went under. I hope it's not my fate... The other project was an animated short film, very grave in its subject matter - it was about jewish children that went to concentration camps and were killed there. That was a success, because the producer told me he doubts if a goy (a non-jew) can comprehend the subject and give it the proper musical expression. He gave me a chance and to my utter astonishment my proposition got accepted. A month later the company went bankrupt.
Well, one day I'll say - "All you fuckin critics go to hell, I don't give a shit about your opinions. I make MUSIC whether you like it or not." Actually I'm closer to that every day. Hope I get there before I die...

Q: I think you will. Don't you worry. What are your plans for the nearest future?
A: There are two, actually three venues that I want to pursue simultaneously. First - there are two personal, creative projects that I want to explore and both look equally attractive: one is a collaboration with a drummer and a sax player in a trio that would be jazz. The other is an electronic duo - myself and my friend. We both have similar interests and we feel good about playing together, but he's got to have a sureshot. He's got a day job and bills to pay and he'll only quit that job if music making will take over that responsibility. There is also a commercial side to my efforts, aimed at paying my bills. I want to produce music for games and films. As far as films are concerned, Philip Glass and early Michael Nyman are my favorites and I'd look up to their music if commissioned. In the game realm, I really dig the Fallout OST, this is something I could go for. But don't get me wrong - I wouldn't make another version of Fallout music. I have my own ambitions.

Q: So you also do sound design for games?
A: Yes, but it is not along my career highway. It was rather a pit stop. I would not mind doing something like that again, but I don't exactly go out of my way to find such work. SFX are a cool sidetrack, but music is in the focus of my interests.

Q: You mentioned that you produce music "for the drawer". Why is that?
A: I haven't been assertive enough with what I do, even though I like my music. When I set out to prepare a demo to send out to labels (which has grown to be legendary by now among those who know me), I turn out not liking it. I sort of burn out when I have to go public, I start screwning stuff up and hence lousy effects come out of that. Actually, I AM saying it is lousy, but it is difficult to be your own judge. But with this monkey doing the thinking in the back of your brain I become my own prophet. And when a label does not reply, it only seems to be the proof, that the music's lousy. It's a vicious circle, man. Well, I did get a reply from Tzadik (John Zorn's label) once, and it was even signed by John. It was a thanks-but-no-thanks note, but at least they did make the effort to say that. I think it shows the class of these people. Nonetheless, this site is a big step forward for me.

Q: If you had to sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say?
A: Shit, I hate this kind of questions. If you are interested, if you have a need, especially for commercial purposes, listen to my music. I know that in the fast paced world of today people don't have time to read long Q&As just to conclude that they need nothing from me. Why do you think I've chosen this form of self-presentation? I need some space to say something about me. I am not a robot, get it?

Q: Okay, okay. Well, I wish you good luck and all.
A: Yea, thanks. Take care.

 

In fewer words...

Name: Jerzy Korzen
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Location: Lodz, Poland
Music genre(s): Electronic (industrial ambient, click-house, illbient, minimal), game soundtracks, computer-based rock :),
Years in musicmaking: 12

 

(C) 2004 Jerzy Korzen. Read the Legal stuff