Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Bald Cats

Bald Cats is a project through which Aleksandra Sobańska – guitarist of the alt-rock band Kisu Min – brings her musical ideas to life. The lineup features Marcin Czugała (vocals), Agata Pyziak (drums), and Aleksandra Sobańska (all other instruments). The band hails from the very heart of Poland, the city of Łódź. Their musical influences are diverse, ranging from the British alternative scene of the 1980s and 1990s to Scandinavian trip-hop.

Aleksandra Sobańska answers the questions:

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I’d have to point to my dad, who plays the guitar. He’s not a professional musician – more of a campfire bard – but he taught me my first chords when I was just six. Back then, music felt like a bridge that connected people and brought them together.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

From a very early age, I wanted to play instruments and start a band. Besides guitar, I also played the flute in a wind orchestra for over a decade. I formed my first rock-like band with friends when I was 12, and we were already writing our own songs back then. Composing music has always been incredibly exciting to me, just like discovering new music – mostly British bands from the ’80s and ’90s. As a kid, I definitely wanted to play like them.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

The new singiel “Oh I swear” isn’t a happy one. The first part of the lyrics reflects a world that feels increasingly uncertain, and what I see as a worsening geopolitical situation – especially the war in Ukraine, which is very close to my heart. The second part is more personal and deals with my divorce two years ago. I think I needed to confront it through songwriting. That said, it’s not all dark – the instrumental bridge is intentionally more major in tone, as a reference to the good moments, both past and those still to come. Musically, I went back to albums I hadn’t listened to in a while, like Röyksopp, as well as the Swedish artist Kleerup. I’ve always wanted to create something in a more electro/trip-hop style, since I usually play indie rock/alt rock.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

That’s a tough one! I think if you listen to Kleerup’s EP “As If We Never Won”, which has that slower tempo, and combine it with the kind of melodies you’d hear in The Smiths or The Cure – something that’s always been close to me – you might get a sense of what the latest Bald Cats single “Oh I Swear” sounds like. The older singles are more guitar-driven indie.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

In my second band, Kisu Min, we stopped recording instruments separately at one point. Now we record everything live in the studio, and that was a very important shift. We’re even thinking about ditching the metronome altogether. We live in times where imperfections, slight inconsistencies, and the raw energy of live recording have real value – because sterile music can now be made by AI.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

In Kisu Min, I’m the guitarist, and that’s my main instrument. In Bald Cats, I record most of the instruments myself. Agata Pyziak records drums, and Marcin Czugała does vocals. But honestly, the most essential thing is inspiration – when it’s there, I can sit down and record all the parts and write lyrics in about five hours, even using a basic Mac program. I leave professional recording to my friends – the experts (Thanks, Kuba!). I go to the studio and re-record everything properly there.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Maybe I’ll mention an album I’ve listened to ten times in the last three days – the latest record by The Twilight Sad, “It’s the Long Goodbye.” These guys from Scotland completely blew me away. But fair warning – it’s emotionally intense and takes some time to process.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

Always. It’s usually either personal or socially engaged. I follow what’s happening in the world and worry about it, so that naturally finds its way into Bald Cats lyrics and Kisu Min’s music as well.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

That even though the world can feel chaotic and hearts sometimes get broken, we still need to take care of ourselves and try to live as well as we can – and that new, good love will come into our lives sooner or later.

MusicWhat’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Music taught me how incredibly exciting creating music can be. Music is the most important thing to me – it’s the highest form of art. I can’t imagine life without it, without those emotional moments, the goosebumps. Music has been there for me in both the best and the worst times – I could always rely on it.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

About ten years ago, I worked at British festivals – I was literally picking up trash. It’s a completely different world, and even playing a small DIY festival in the UK would be amazing, let alone something on the scale of Glastonbury. But we really love independent, grassroots DIY festivals – they align with our values, and we enjoy playing them the most. One of the best we’ve played was Povalec in the Czech Republic. Highly recommended – it’s a fantastic event.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I should probably say Kate Bush because I’m a huge fan – but honestly, I think I’d choose The Chameleons from Manchester. I had a chance to briefly talk to Mark Burgess, and besides being my favorite post-punk band, they also seem like genuinely great people. I also love Manchester and travel there often. I always joke that I’d love to have Dido singing backing vocals for us 😉

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

We’re available on all streaming platforms – YouTube, Spotify, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, Apple Music, etc. You can find us as Bald Cats, or if you’re interested in my first band – Kisu Min. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram under the same names: baldcatsband and kisuminlodz.

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

With Bald Cats, I already have a draft of a new song, so I’ll probably start recording a demo at home soon. With Kisu Min, we have material for a new album, but our drummer broke her arm, so we’re waiting for her to recover. We’re staying optimistic! The most important thing is that music keeps being created – because all the magic happens in the rehearsal space. Without that magic, making music, playing shows, and releasing albums just doesn’t make sense.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

That we’re all just human – we have our highs and lows. Let music save us!