This insignificant little shrine weirdo had never heard of Polish instrumental space rockers Ampacity before, and I am ashamed to admit it because it turns out they have been spreading their amazing keyboard laced take on the genre for ten years now and this aptly titled album IV is their fourth full length effort already. Just for the record if you, like me, were not in this loop: we have been missing out people!
On this new album Ampacity shines by being just a but tighter, a bit more experienced, and generally just better than most of their instrumental colleagues these days. They have been at this trade for ten years, and their full grown chops show it. IV is an album you wish would just continue for days swaddling you with a blanket of keyboards, locking your head in a tight bass groove, and then picking you up on a journey through the back of your own mind and back.
They make it sound so easy too. Like it is nothing to them to put these space grooves together so incredibly tight and machine like. Together with the clean and sturdy production this whole package could easily also transcend genre boundaries and do well -for instance- at a prog rock festival or any open minded stage that generally welcomes musical craftsmanship and technical prowess.
So he’s to the next ten years Ampacity! Glad to have hopped on in time to still be part of the journey.
How are you? How was the pandemic period for Ampacity?
We’re doing very well, thank you. We’ve been active between 2013 and 2017 and got back to the business in 2022 so for the most intense part of Covid we weren’t around as a band. On a personal level I think it was a really intense period that allowed us to take a step back from regular life. I think that kind of detachment from regular stuff sparked the idea to go back to playing together.
Can you introduce the band, and how did you meet, etc, ?
Three out of five of us played together in a stoner/grunge band Broken Betty. At some point in early 2012 they were invited to play some Hawkwind covers at a “Spacefest ” which was a really cool spacerock/shoegaze festival going on for a decade in Gdańsk. Initial idea was to start with jamming in a larger ensemble and then prepare some good old classic covers. Jamming part was really good and we’ve decided to ditch the idea of playing covers and start a new band with original songs.
What can you tell me about your musical backgrounds?
Our backgrounds differ a lot and I think what is a common ground for all of us are Classics such as Pink Floyd, Bowie, Stooges and such and the stoner rock scene. Another thing that I believe is a common inspiration for us is Krautrock.
What does a regular day in your lives look like?
We all have day jobs and kids so describing a regular day for each one of us could make a fairly boring book 🙂 Aside from that we are trying to make as much music as possible so I would say balancing those areas is what makes that interesting.
What is the best thing about IV?
The best thing about this record is that we’ve been able to continue some unfinished business. Our first album was very simple, natural and laid back. Ever since we were struggling to recreate that vibe but somehow couldn’t get into the right frame of mind. I think that IV is something that was made with a similar approach. Another thing is that I’m really happy about a balance between trippiness and some solid songs. I think we are not overplaying and we’re bringing something from both worlds.
Where do you live and what is the environment like for musicians like you?
We live in Trojmiasto, Poland (Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia). It’s a nice place on the seashore. We do have a really interesting, unique independent local scene. Musical environment around here is very diverse and inspiring. We have a strong tradition of improvised music which I think impacted us in a certain way.
Who are some contemporary musical heroes of yours?
There’s so many brilliant musicians that I don’t think I could name one particular person. I’m always looking for new music and currently my top 3 things I’m listening to are:
– Surprise Chef
– Peter Eldh
– Mischa Panfilov
Can you tell me about how you go about composing and recording songs?
This time around we’ve worked quite fast. Started with some sketches brought by our guitarist. We’ve spent several months jamming the initial ideas and refining them. After roughly 6 months we’ve booked a Vintage Records Studio in Porażyn. It’s a remote place with a brilliant vibe, great live room and everything a band can expect. We were recording live, in one room in order to have a more vibrant and organic sound. It took us 3 days to record the album along with guitar and keys/synths overdubs. Aside from our regular gear we’ve extensively used a Roland Space Echo. I think that using the tape delay was one of the details that gave the record a bit of a trippy vibe.
What are your immediate and long term future plans?
We are currently finishing the first run of concerts in Poland. We are also preparing for vinyl release which should be finalized around mid July. We’re playing several festivals in the summer and continue a Polish tour in the fall. We hope to play some shows in other European countries later that year. Once we’ve done that I think we’ll start making another record 🙂
What should the Weirdo Shrine reader do after reading this interview?
Check the album on the preferred platform and if you like it go to Piranha Music website and order some cool music and merch.
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