Ha ha, first of all I don’t make money from music. It is my big passion and of course it would be perfect to make money on something you love but so far I only invest in music 🙂 I’m in a good situation everyday since I’m a marketing expert, running a marketing agency named JELLINEK. This gives me possibility to creating music calm, without any pressure and being sure that after all I have anything to eat ha ha.

In the past, my music was influenced by Jan Borysewicz plus Matias Jabs. Two great, amazing guitarists, but most of all composers. I don’t have much time to listen to music these days. The only music I listen to all the time is Richard Jellinek ha ha 🙂

But I can say that a great role model in life is Tyson Fury, the world champion and the best boxer of our time. Why him? Because he is the best role model on how to get up in the ring and in life. After a long period of deep depression and gaining up to 180 weight, suicidal thoughts and struggling with the lack of meaning in life, he returned when no one believed in his form anymore. Within a few months he lost 60 kg, returned to the ring, defeated the undefeated Wilder and became world champion again. All thanks to faith, love for the family, inner strength and the help of specialists.

He is a great support for all those struggling with mental illnesses, a living example of someone who has returned from the dark side. If the world champion, a 206 cm giant, was on his lap, weighed down by the weight of severe depression, it could happen to anyone. So don’t be shy to ask for help, don’t be afraid, don’t give up. There is hope for you.

2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?

I can’t compare myself to anyone. I have a really BIG problem with this. I even can’t precisely define the music sub-genre I play. Anytime anything forces me to do it, Im not able to make it. I just play my music. Good sounding, nice and powerful rock music. I’m not a typical musician. I’m real prodigal son of music. I returned to music after 15 years of doing nothing in this case. But it gave me a power to make what I need, without worry of money and in time which is the most comfortable to me.

This what separates me from others musicians, so I don’t care what people say or which genre they think I should be in. I just play and compose all from the bottom of my heart. The lyrics I wrote are always connected with my feelings, my adventures, my memories and they touch important life problems.

3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?

Yes, I am a very open-minded and sensitive person. I’m way too sensitive. I am a person of great inner strength, gifted with talents, but unfortunately also struggling with many mental problems. Honestly, a great depression caused by too much experience, the death of my grandma who was like a mother to me. I even made her song, a tribute to her – NO ONE LIKE YOU.

I think I feel too much. I think too much and it all makes me express it through music on the one hand. It makes me more artistically sensitive. On the other hand, I am easily hurt and am prone to moods and the dark sides of my psyche.

4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?

This can be interesting because most of my songs (lyrics) were created and polished outside on my lovely sports walks. Yes, exactly when walking / running. But from the beginning. I always composed melodies when I play and discover something that sounds interesting that moves me. Then I try to refine it, find the right notes. Finally, I have all the melody. When creating music, I feel the atmosphere, but most often I don’t know what the song will be about. I can feel the atmosphere, but I don’t know the ending of my piece. During the walk I create all or almost all of the texts. I walk the streets or run, listen to music and find the right words by searching for the right atmosphere for the songs. Sometimes people look at me strangely when they see a guy who is watching the iPhone screen (where I am writing text fragments) walking very quickly and singing something under his breath.

5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?

This is a sad truth about all talented people all around the world. Only few have a chance be heard, recognized and make nice money from that. On the one hand we have social media that allows you to show your talent to anyone in the world. On the other hand nowadays there are millions of musician and all of them want to be heard. It is just practically impossible.

I prefer to be independent and fortunately I have found ways to finance my passions. But you must remember I’m really unique, and not a good example, because I returned to music after 15 years of doing nothing in this case.

About the traditional music industry model I think it is dying before our eyes. Of course they will survive in this or another form because nothing is lost in nature but actually everything is quite different and much different than it was 10 years ago. Streaming platforms have broken the rules of the old musician order.

6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?

Firstly I make music for myself. Then for everyone who wants to listen. I’m always happy when I see my pieces move people and makes them happy, thoughtful and excited during the time they listen to my songs. This is the best payout I can imagine. Luckily I make money on other things, so I can invest in my passions. I think it is very difficult to make money with music and I can’t advise anyone with that. Just a few words – catch your dreams, work hard, believe and go on!

7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?

You’re right, social media is pretty much everything these days. I like to share my life, feelings, music, and the creative process. I am very open minded and like to talk about myself, but I feel like I am wasting too much time on this. Especially since I am a perfectionist who would like to have everything under control. And this is very difficult in social media. I try to do only what I have to do without spending too much time repeating the same things over and over again.

8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

As I said before, I’m not a typical musician, I don’t work under pressure. I want to do what I love and it doesn’t matter if someone says I sold myself or if I’m still independent. If a label offers me to reach a really huge audience, I would agree to anything, as long as I can still create the music that I love and I decide on the final shape of my sound.

9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I have big plans, my first LP with 10-12 songs will be released this summer, then I have to do 11 clips. Then in the next 5 years I would like to produce at least 2 new albums and publish a book, maybe several. I don’t know where I will be in the music industry, but I want to fulfill myself and share with people everything I feel, everything I think through my music. I am a man of hundreds of passions, so anything is possible.