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 Here's an interview with the up and coming Polish trance producer, Sensitize...
In the last few years, Trance has seen a massive influx of new artists from Poland with the likes of Adam Nickey, Evbointh, and Nitrous Oxide giving the world unforgettable tracks and now it seems like another trance hero is being made with the name Sensitize. Tomasz Jurczyszyn was born on February 8th, 1984 in small town called Chelm (near Lublin) in the east of Poland. He has been interested in instruments since he was a child. At the beginning he treated his hobby as a great enjoyment, an interesting way of spending his free-time. Everything changed when, in the year 2000, he met Mateusz Wiercioch (Zdolny Dzieciak aka Giffted Kid) - a colleague from school. It was him who introduced Tom to the basic rules connected with music production and aroused his interests. In the year 2004 Tom was given a chance to introduce his music to a broader audience. Tom, together with Austrian DJ Smooth Deejay, created a composition called ‘Unplugged’. This production has been published on the Kalwi & Remi compilation ‘In The Mix Vol.1’ and on the compilation ‘Super Austria Vol.8’ (Universal Music). At the end of the year 2004 T.J. began to present his music on Feel The Beat portal (http://www.ftb.pl/), where also Peter Dempsky started to present his works. They got in touch and later started to cooperate. This cooperation was caused by mutual interest in their works and constructive comments of their productions. It was then that T.J. started to attach more importance to the quality of his works and to think more seriously about music production. This cooperation bore fruit – ‘Up To The Stars’ which was welcomed positively. T.J. and Peter D. created Abbeyonce. Now they are creating new compositions that are as good as well-known around the world. As Sensitize, he has made beautiful tracks like ‘Wildfire’ and ‘Playing With Angels’ which have caught the ear of the listener, but more recently his tracks ‘Have To Believe’ and ‘If Only We Could Try’ have tickled the listeners at Above & Beyonds show TATW over the last few weeks. i:Vibes had the chance to interview this up and coming polish producer...
i:Vibes: Hi Tom, How are you? How was your summer? Were you only stuck in the studio or did you have the chance to take a vacation?
Sensitize: Hey, I’m fine, thanks. I had quite nice but busy summer. I made a few little trips with my sister, but most of my vacation I spent at home. I had to divide my time between writing my Master’s thesis, because I’m graduating from studies at university in a few weeks, and also for music, thanks to which I could take a rest from daily duties. ;)
i:Vibes: You come from Poland and are one of many young producers caught up in the polish trance revolution. How do you explain this huge influx of brilliant young Polish trance producers who have hit the scene in the last few years?
Sensitize: Yes, it’s true. There are so many Polish stars on the trance scene right now, like Adam Nickey, Nitrous Oxide, Underwater, Sundriver, Evbointh, Sonic Division, Anguilla Project and Paul Miller. I also know that many new Polish trance producers will come up in the next few years or even months. I think there are many reasons why so many new polish faces appeared on the trance scene in the last few years. Thanks to development of technology, computers, television and most importantly of the internet, more people can cultivate their passions like music production. We have many portals where people can present their music to broader audiences and get advice, which is very important at the beginning of production. People take more pleasure in creating music when they know that their talent is developing and they are trying to show their music to wider audience. I hope that in future there will be more and more Polish trance producers! :)
i:Vibes: Who were your early musical inspirations while growing up?
Sensitize: Hopefully I won’t be too unconventional if I say that ATB and Above & Beyond had the biggest influence on me. I love their productions and I can’t imagine the trance scene without them. Mike Foyle is also very inspiring for me. However, not only trance musicians were stimulating for me; I also love film music. Here I could mention a couple of names like Thomas Newman; I love atmosphere of his tracks and he made one of my favourites tracks ever, ‘Any Other Name‘; a soundtrack from American Beauty, it's something that is stuck in my mind for eternity. Another valuable composer for me is Edward Shearmur who made the K-Paxsoundtrack , which I still love to listen to.
i:Vibes: Since a small child, you have been interested in instruments. Do you play any instruments?
Sensitize: Unfortunately I don’t but I'd like to very much. Definitely the piano is one of my favourite instruments . Since my childhood I was trying to play it but I didn't have enough money to buy one. I wanted to go to music school but the idea failed because of lack of money and time. Today I have a MIDI controller and I love playing it but I create only simple melodies and I use it mostly in my tracks to enliven my ideas.When I was younger I was trying for some time to master guitar but my enthusiasm didn't persist.
i:Vibes: What was your first deciding moment, where you fell in love with trance music?
Sensitize: Can't exactly remember the day when it happened but I remember when I heard for the first time the track of Ayu – M remixed by Above & Beyond and I instantly fell in love with it. I adored the purity of sound, its arrangement and also the ravishing melodies which at once caught my attention. Even now I like to return to this track.
i:Vibes: How was your schooling? You are 24, are you at university or did you get some sort of degree, which you can fall back on later in life if you decide?
Sensitize: After graduating from high school I started studying. Unfortunately creating music isn't a very profitable occupation so I had to learn some profession.5 years ago I started a BA course of computer science at one of Lublin's universities. After completing the BA degree I continued studying mathematics; specialty computer science, in the same institution. As I've mentioned before, if nothing goes wrong in a couple of weeks I should graduate from studies.
i:Vibes: In 2000, you met Mateusz Wiercioch, who slowly introduced you to music production. How important was he for your start in music making?
Sensitize: Probably if I didn't meet him, my musical adventure would have never started up. He introduced me to the world of computer-made music and showed me on what I should pay my attention. He always repeated that while creating music I must search for my own style, my own way.
i:Vibes: How difficult was it getting into the Polish trance scene? There are so many young producers coming from Poland. How do you see the future and do you see someone breaking out into a superstar?
Sensitize: The Polish trance scene has been developing all the time. The quality of tracks has become better which makes it difficult to become known. However, the awareness of Polish society in relation to trance music is still low. There are still very few events which could promote this type of music. I hope someday we will hear more about such Polish producers like Andre Glensk, Anestetic and my friend from Abbeyonce; Peter Dempsky.
i:Vibes: You are making rapid progress as a producer. How has your sound developed in the last years? What do you still want to accomplish in the studio in terms of how to get everything perfect in a track?
Sensitize: During the last years I started to pay more attention to the quality of my productions. For the first 6 years of creating music I used the program Fruity Loops. However, when over a year ago I started to use Ableton Live, my technique improved much. I've been still trying to develop it but now I pay great attention to proper arrangement of the track, as I'm aware that every piece of music is like a story which must be suitably and interestingly told.
i:Vibes: You formed Abbeyonce with your pal Peter Dempsky. How important has this collaboration been and what have you learned most from him as a person and producer?
Sensitize: The influence of Peter on me was immense. We live pretty close to each other so we were able to cooperate easily. Peter has a very well-developed sense of music. He has always put emphasis on quality of tracks which positively influenced me as well. He helped me many times when I had doubts and questioned my own skills.
i:Vibes: Does Abbeyonce have a certain meaning? Why did you choose this name?
Sensitize: Yes, it has some meaning. We were looking for a long time for some catchy name, which wasn’t used so far. One day Peter said three words "abbey or trance" and we both liked their meaning. So thanks to merging these words the name Abbeyonce was created! ;)
i:Vibes: As Sensitize, you are slowly making a name for you in the trance scene. How did you come up with your artist name? Does it have a special meaning?
Sensitize: Also in my own case I was looking for a long time for a name, which would properly mirror the nature of my music. In my productions I lay emphasis on the atmosphere and I always try to fill my music up with as many feelings as possible. I also want people to feel it in the same way as I do. This is the origin of the name Sensitize.
i:Vibes: You have a fantastic ear for melodies. Is this something you were born with or was this something that just came along the way?
Sensitize: Thanks! I think it is rather hard to learn it but surely not impossible - just like in my case. ;) The most important thing is imagination and development of imagination - since early childchood. This, along with determination helps me in creating the melodies.
i:Vibes: You also have a fine taste for creating a breathtaking atmosphere. Not every producer can do this well, but you do it well. What kind of mood and inspiration do you take in creating the right feeling in each track?
Sensitize: Thanks again! In most cases I create music in the evening or late at night. Then I'm tired after the whole day and to calm my nerves I try to create such an atmoshere, which could help me to lose touch with reality. Sometimes I also try to render the pictures produced by my imagination at the moment.
i:Vibes: ‘Have To Believe’ and ‘If Only We Could Try’ have struck the right chord with TATW listeners as well with trance fans around the world. Have you been surprised by your success?
Sensitize: Yes, I was really shocked when my tracks appeared on TATW with Above & Beyond. I'm not denying that it was my dream; especially because I've always admired productions of Above & Beyond so it was a great distinction for me. The reactions of different people were amazing and I will certainly remember this forever!
i:Vibes: ‘If Only We Could Try’ is a beautiful track. The atmosphere is right on. Was this a difficult track to produce? What was the most difficult thing you had to tweak to get the sound 100% right?
Sensitize: Thanks, every producer while creating a track, faces numerous obstacles. In the case of ‚If Only We Could Try‘, I've spent most of the time perfecting the melodic line of guitar. I was trying to make the sound as good and natural as possible. I had some problems with creating a proper leading motif but finally I managed to arrange it.
i:Vibes: You have some fine trance productions as well as breathtaking ambient works like ‘Playing With Angels’, ‘Beyond The Horizon’ and ‘ Under The Ocean’. What do you consider yourself more - a trance or ambient producer?
Sensitize: I perceive myself more a trance producer! ;) For sure I won’t give up creating ambient but at the moment I have to concentrate on trance.
i:Vibes: Does your heart beat more for trance or ambient?
Sensitize: I love both of them and it is really hard to choose one. Everything depends on my mood but if I had to name one, I'd pick probably trance.
i:Vibes: I love ‘Beyond The Horizon’, what was your inspiration behind this track?
Sensitize: Thanks! It's hard to recall it now; I started creating this track over 2 years ago. All I remember is that I was imaging a sunrise over a boundless ocean and beach over which the birds were flying and singing.
i:Vibes: When you are in the studio, do you have a certain way how you go about producing a track like creating a melody, bassline or atmosphere, or do you just go in with the idea to play around with sounds?
Sensitize: Every time it's different. Sometimes I start from creating main melody, sometimes from pads, sometimes even from main parts of beats, which inspire me for arranging the rest of a track. I always try to produce my own sounds or instruments, which sometimes leads to creating brand new compositions.
i:Vibes: With what piece of equipment besides your PC can you not live without in the studio?
Sensitize: I'd surely list my headphones, Philips HP840, which I've been using for a couple of years. Without them I feel like I‘m deaf ;) Another must-have is my MIDI controller, Korg K49 , which I often use for arranging melodies; my beloved device! ;)
i:Vibes: What do you do on a day where nothing goes right in the studio? What inspires you again to write music you like?
Sensitize: If I'm too tired to compose I usually sit in front of my PC and surf the net. Sometims I go out for a walk or to meet with friends. If nothing goes right for a long time, I stop trying for a week or even a month and then return to composing with new energy.
i:Vibes: What new tracks and productions can we await from you in the future?
Sensitize: My new remix of ‚Prometeus‘ by Xgenic should appear soon - I completed it a couple of days ago. I hope it will be appreciated. Together with Peter we're working on some new tracks and hopefully in a few months they will be presented to the broader audience. In the meantime I'll be also trying to work on my own productions.
How is your relationship with the Polish trance scene? What producers do you get along well with?
Sensitize: Unfortunately I rather don’t participate in trance events in Poland, as most of them are ogranized in the western part of the country; where I live it's hard to hear trance even in clubs. As far as the musicians are concerned; I know most of the Polish producers. Beside Peter I try to keep in touch with Sundriver, Adam Nickey, Sonic Division and Anguilla Project. During the last few weeks I got to know a Polish producer named Jon Eon, with whom I made friends. I hope that one day he'll show everyone his skills, as he is an undiscovered talent and has great potential.
i:Vibes: With what artist world wide would you like to be locked in the studio for 24 hours?
Sensitize: That would be for sure Paavo from Above & Beyond. I really respect him and consider him a genious musician and man.
i:Vibes: Who will be DJ Mags #1 DJ for 2008? PVD, Armin or Tiesto or could Above & Beyond finally make #1?
Sensitize: I'd be happy to see Above and Beyond at the top of the list; In my opinion they are masters in arranging their sets, but the future will show.
i:Vibes: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Sensitize: As number 1 in DJ Mag Top100 DJs!! ;) Of course I'm joking! I hope that I'll be still creating music and will find a place in listeners' hearts.
i:Vibes: What are your five current favourite tracks?
Sensitize: 1. Nitrous Oxide – Show Me
2. Proff – My Personal Summer
3. Signalrunners – Meet Me In Montauk
4. Kandi & Neuman – Let Go
5. Boom Jinx & Oliver Smith - Sunrise
i:Vibes: What are your five alltime favourite tracks?
Sensitize: 1. Thomas Newman – Any Other Name – as I mentioned earlier ;)
2. Matt Hardwick Vs. Smith & Pledger - Connected (Original Mix) – there is so much feeling in that track, I just love it!
3. Mike Foyle – Shipwrecked – one of the most beautiful piano lines
4. Above & Beyond – Indonesia – great atmosphere
5. Ferry Corsten - Sublime (ThrillSeekers Mix) – last but not least track that today I still love.
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Sensitize: Music, music and hmm... music! ;) But of course not only! ;) Beyond music I'm keen on photography. Sometimes I go for a walk to wonder at views and also take some shots. I also fancy recreational bike riding.
i:Vibes: If you could take three things on a deserted island what would you take?
Sensitize: Probably I'd take things necessary for survival; knife, matches and suntan oil! ;)
i:Vibes: Tom thanks for talking with us and good luck in the future!!
Sensitize: Thanks! And thank you very much for the interview. And I’d like to thank to my lovely friend Kate, who helped me with the translation of this interview from Polish to English! :)
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