Polish artist Perfect Sons (aka Tobiasz Biliński) has been making a name for himself in the electronic music world since 2016. Not a surprise because when we heard his song “Lust”, we were immediately smitten. His latest album Cast will be released on February 15, and we got the absolute pleasure of chatting with him.
When did you realize music was your calling?
I think around age 12-13. I started to discover bands and become fascinated with various musical styles; before that, I pretty much only played classical on the piano. I wrote my first bad songs, started performing badly with friends, and I was like, “Damn, I think this is what I should do.” Barely finished high school, never went to college.
How did being in the band Coldair shape you to become Perfect Son?
Well, Coldair was actually pretty much a solo project with occasional collaborators. It was a great playground for me to develop my sound and songwriting skills, try out new things, gain experience through touring etc. It helped me find my own way and figure out what I actually wanted to do.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
First bands I was obsessed with were Joy Division, King Crimson, and Massive Attack. My dad introduced me to them. They were definitely big influences. Later on, I started listening to weirder music. I was a huge fan of Einstuerzende Neubauten, Swans, The Microphones. I still am! I’ve always had a pretty eclectic taste in music, so around that time I also listened to Pet Shop Boys. I think the big moment that shaped me the most was the discovery of all the indie-folk/alt-folk/whatever you want to call it that America has to offer. I mean, Akron/Family, Angels of Light, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Sufjan Stevens – I was fascinated with this shit!
Do you have any dream collaborators?
Sufjan! All my friends laugh at me because I’m such a huge fan. Would love to work with him one day, the guy’s a genius.
What was the recording process like for your debut album?
Long and frustrating at times. So basically I flew to Philadelphia and recorded 10 songs with my buddy Jeff Zeigler, who has a studio called Uniform Recording there. After we were done, I went back to Warsaw and decided I didn’t like half of the songs and scrapped them. Wrote 5 or 6 more, recorded them with my friend Marcin Buźniak at his Axis Audio studio in Warsaw, flew to Philly again for some additional production, then came back to Poland and started mixing. It took a long time, because I’m extremely picky about the sound I want. Luckily, Marcin is a patient guy and we managed to make it work. I think the record sounds great because of it. I recorded pretty much everything myself, except for the drums; my buddy and live drummer Jacek Prościński took care of those. Also, Marcin recorded guitar for “Lust.”
Do you have a favorite song you ever recorded?
If I had to pick one, it’d be either Wax or Almost Mine from this new record. Really liking them for some reason.
Is there a possibility to play some live shows in support of the album?
Of course! Right now I have shows scheduled for March and April in Poland and I’m planning a European tour either late 2019 or early 2020. Stay tuned!
And lastly, as you’re Polish, what is the best pierogi filling? (Our choice is mushroom sauerkraut!)
PS: It is very obviously the potato, cottage cheese and onion filling (pierogi ruskie), but I respect your choice of mushroom sauerkraut!