10 Questions with Jakub Zytecki
Jakub Zytecki is probably better than you at guitar. Shaun Hamilton got a chance to ask him a few questions about how he got to be so much better at guitar than you.
Fresh from releasing one of my favorite prog rock albums of last year, Wishful Lotus Proof, as well as some of my all time favorite prog CDs in general, Disperse guitarist Jakub Zytecki took a bit of time from his busy schedule to join us here at The Toilet. Read his insight into his work and find out what’s in store for the future. Oh, and a get a simple yet tasty salmon recipe!
For those who don’t know about you, tell us a little about your history and influences.
JAKUB: My name is Jakub, I’m a guitar player of a Polish rock band called Disperse. We released two full length albums already, and I made my solo record in the meantime as well. We’re currently working on the third Disperse album.
I read on the internet that you did the first Disperse record at 16, and some say you did it at 18. When did Disperse actually begin?
Well, I was actually 15 when we were recording our first demo album, but the making of the first LP happened when I was like 16 I think. We started Disperse during fall of 2007.
What would you say is different between that and your solo album, and what made you go solo?
I think I just wanted to go back to my family house, be closer to nature and live alone for some time. For some reason my album happened to be a lot darker than Disperse’s stuff, also considering the fact how the new band’s record is probably going to sound like.
Is there a story on your solo CD? If so, how did that come about?
There’s no one common story for all tracks, each song has its own little world I think.
Did you make the music first, then come up with the concept? Or did you already have the concept in mind?
I usually have a little musical concept before I start to write, but the lyrics come later. Except for “The Sea’s Only Gifts…” where all the lyrics, music and vocal lines were written together.
I’m amazed that you were only 16 when you started working on the first Disperse CD! Do you have any classical training, or are you self-taught?
I was in a primary music school that I went to when I was 12. I studied the classical guitar there, but if it comes to an electric guitar, I’m self taught.
Who are some of your guitar heroes and inspirations?
Definitely John Petrucci. He was like the biggest hero ever. After him and the whole Dream Theater period, I started listening to guitarists like Steve Lukather, Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth…
I’ve had Polish cooking back in Chicago, but *hands you a chef’s hat* what are some good Polish recipes you’d recommend, or some of your own personal recipes?
Haha really? Well, the dumplings AKA “pierogi” is definitely the most known Polish thing, although it’s basically just a cake with mashed potatoes and white cheese in it. There’s something weirdly good about it though. My own recipes? I don’t know haha, I just eat salmon all the time. Toasties with salmon, cheese and pesto is something I adore, but it’s pretty damn heavy.
What’s next? Another solo CD, or another Disperse CD?
Definitely Disperse. After all the band members’ rotations again and having Mike Malyan in the band now, we feel such a strong connection, we really wanna focus properly on this group. We love the way how the new album is shaping up and can’t freakin’ wait to share it with people. I don’t feel the need to push my solo thing now, but who knows what’s gonna happen in the future.
Thanks for the interview! Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for the interview, all the best!
Check out Jakub’s releases on Bandcamp and stay up to date with his work through Facebook, Soundcloud, and YouTube.
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