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Skalpel Skalpel is an apt, almost onomatopoeic name for a Polish duo that makes their uniquely captivating music by cutting and slicing up old jazz records from their native country. Some of the tracks on their eponymous debut album are a few years old now, but as you can see in our review, it’s a remarkably coherent and singular piece of work. So where does this fascinating musical style originate, and how is it created? Luckily, Pixelsurgeon got the chance to meet Marcin Cichy (left) and Igor Pudlo face to face at Ninja HQ, and while enveloped in their gigantic leather sofas, found out about what makes Skalpel tick, or rather, what makes them cut, slice, and trim. (Thanks to Jason for additional questions.)
PIXELSURGEON: Hello Skalpel, great to meet you both. How has your new single been received so far in the UK?
MC: It’s had a very good response.
IP: And we’ve been playing our remix live here in Britain and it’s gone down very well. They are dancing, going mad!
Of course you’ve been playing a key role in the Zen retrospective tour. How has that been so far?
MC: Yes it’s been nice. It was banging! Er, we don’t we know many words in English yet!
IP: It was a…challenge. Because these were our first gigs outside Poland and we didn’t know what to expect.
Had you seen all the other Ninja tune artists perform before?
IP: We saw the Cinematic Orchestra in London a few years ago. DJ Vadim is often in Poland… and we’d seen some stuff on the Internet. It’s not often that Western bands come to Poland, but maybe we can help to change that. In Poland there is a good club though, and Ninja artists come and perform there, like Funky Porcini, Hexstatic, and Amon Tobin, so it’s getting better.
What was it about Polish jazz that made you want to sample it, and reinterpret it?
IP: Because it sounds very good to us, it has a unique sound. It reflects the spirit of Poland in some way.
So is that the music you’ve grown up with?
IP: No, not really actually. In the 80s, I preferred to listen to punk rock and drink beer with my friends. But with Marcin I discovered Polish Jazz in the late 90s, and that’s when we started seriously collecting records, and making music from the records.
When you first hear a new record, do you make a note of the bits that you like? Presumably you have huge record collections, so is it all in your head?
MC: We just remember. We don’t make notes, but then we listen to them quite often.
IP: We have banks of samples, but when we start a new track, almost every time we start with the drums, the bass and harmonies, then we listen to the records again and look for additional samples.
Do you see yourselves as ambassadors for Polish music, and culture in general?
MC: No, we didn’t start out like that, but it became to have that feeling because everybody asks about Poland, the Polish scene, and Polish culture.
IP: We didn’t plan to be, but now we know that we are.
What about your videos? How do you get involved with the creative process?
IP: We just accept screenplays, and give some ideas. The two first videos were made by our friends. We just gave them the music and they made the videos. The first was Sculpture. Our friends were students in film school, and they made it as a student film. The second (Break In) is just sampling clips from old political documentaries. We were involved in the production, as well as contributing ideas, because the same material is on the covers, from an experimental ballet movie. Our VJ makes the video that we play in our sets, and he is on tour with us. He helps us develop our ideas.
How did you first become interested in music?
MC: Actually, I remember when I was at school and my father went to Germany with work, and he said he was going to buy me a keyboard. And I was waiting for it, and it was Casio CT20 with very small keys, and I really enjoyed playing that.
IP: I was older, so I started listening to music in the late 70s, from being a Beatles fan, (I’m still a Beatles fan), then came punk rock and new wave. I was really into it, was a big Clash fan.
So obviously the main influence evident in your own music is Polish Jazz. Would you ever consider exploring different directions that emphasise some of your other musical interests?
IP: Not really. I think Polish Jazz is the best thing for us. It’s our sound. But we are looking for new sounds in other post-communist countries, like old Czech records, Hungarian, and East Germany music.
Do you see a healthy future for Polish music? Or do you think that some of the things you’re doing will help inspire other artists?
IP: Maybe. Maybe it will encourage them to send music outside Poland. But we don’t see at the moment anybody who can make it. Everybody is trying to copy Western music. But we are trying to do something original with Polish Jazz, and it works.
Do you both see yourselves staying in Poland?
IP: Yes, we both plan to stay. It’s a nice place to live and make music; very quiet.
When did you actually finish recording the album?
IP: 8 months ago.
It comes out in April doesn't it? So are you already thinking about the next album?
MC: We are not thinking, we are making the next album! But we are not sure how it will turn out yet. We are sure it will be more uptempo though.
How was your recording process different for your first album then? Because that had some older material on it, and this time you’re starting afresh?
MC: We thought that it would be different, but it looks like it will be more or less the same.
IP: We’ve been doing it for eight years now, so we know how to do it, how to achieve the Skalpel sound.
What software and hardware do you use?
MC: Different. We try all software we can get our hands on. From Steinberg, we’ve got Cubase…but we try everything.
IP: And we are working on PC computers.
Your own remix of 1958 demonstrated a harder dance side to your music. Is this something you’re going to do more of?
IP: Yes maybe, we are thinking about it. We really enjoyed how the people reacted to it. But we still want to retain our own sound too.
Do either of you play instruments then? Marcin, do you still play the keyboard?
MC: No, I’m just sampling now!
IP: I played guitar in the 80s in a punk rock group but now I just play on computer and turntable. Making music is my favourite computer game, you know. You have all these samples, and you can see how the music emerges from them.
What do you think of Kid Koala?
IP: Maybe he’s one of the best djs, and most talented musicians in the world. But when he makes his music, it’s quite similar to what we do. He also is looking for sounds and solving puzzles with those sounds.
Are there any secrets about Skalpel that you can tell us that no one knows yet?
IP: The secret is that I am older than I look, I am 37 and I have wife. And Marcin is younger than he looks, and he lives with his parents!
How are you finding the UK?
MC: Well it's very pleasant when you are talking about your music of course, and people are enjoying what you do…
IP: But we played yesterday in a record store and it was a little bit different. Because everybody stood still, just watching us, and we didn’t know what to think about the reaction!
What about your experiences on tour with DJ Vadim? You interviewed him first, then you got talking and it started from there. Is there anything particularly memorable you can tell us about touring with him back in 2000?
IP: Yes that’s right. That was the first time. I remember we started out playing a very quiet, downtempo set, and it was very good music, but not good for playing in clubs. He showed us ideas of how to do a good dj set, he forced us to think, and it inspired us to do more uptempo sets. Then we started to add visuals to our sets. At first they were taken from Hexstatic but now we make our own films live, and mix the video feeds live.
Growing up in Poland, what were the highs and lows?
IP: When we were growing up there were no record stores that sold Western music. It was impossible to hear live artists from Western countries. But on the radio you could sometimes record a few tracks by classic groups. The political situation in the 80s wasn’t too good, nor was the economy, with almost nothing in shops. But when you’re young everything is cool when you’ve got some friends, some beer and some music.
What’s the best record you’ve listened to this year?
(Skalpel hold a hushed impromptu conference while they think about this…)
MC: Er, TY, Upwards. It’s brilliant!
If there was one band or group that you’d like have been in, not including anyone at Ninja Tune or The Beatles, who would it be?
IP: (Without hesitation) The Clash!
MC: I would be me! (laughs). But no, I don’t really have music idols. I listen to a lot of things, I like everything.
Finally, what advice would you give to people starting out, in Poland or anywhere, in music?
IP: Try not to copy anyone else. Try to find your own identity. For us, as Polish people, it was Polish jazz, but everyone must find their own original inspiration.
Great, many thanks for your time Skalpel. Good luck with the single and album!
Thank you!
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