Music

Cellotapes

"Cellotapes" is driven by the idea of ombining the solo cello voice with previously composed electronic layers. In the 1980s, we would say that these were works for cello and tape - this was due to the fact that the electronics accompanying the soloist were physically played from the tape. The term remained, even though over time the analog medium was replaced by digital recordings. The album "Cellotapes" is a collection of pieces for cello and electronics, but also a wordplay, because the title in English simply means "adhesive tapes". Michał's idea is for these "tapes” is to combine music of various genres into one coherent whole.

The album has an intriguing narrative. These are compositions with extraordinary energy and pulse, which sparkle and emanate with harmonic vibration. This is Bach's classic presented in a new framework and put into dialogue with modern times. This is the phonographic premiere of one of the most important works for cello by Paweł Mykietyn. This is a conscious attempt by a classically trained musician to give the solo voice to the electronic cello, and to make the group of live cellos only a background for the melodic line. These are iconic works of European and American minimalism by Pärt and Reich. Finally, this is Michał's new music, which outlines the directions of the artist's development for the future.

Kora ∞

"Kora infinity" is the solo recording debut of Michał Pepol. He composed the album in 2019-2020, using private, unknown to the world, never released phonographic materials of Polish rock star Kora Jackowska, which he received from her husband Kamil Sipowicz. The intriguing but at the same time demanding process of recovering recordings from found 24-track studio tapes, which were often barely legible, required an incredible amount of energy. The album consists of arrangements and remixes of existing songs, but above all completely new pieces, combining pop, rock, classical music, unique radio plays and avant-garde alternative.

The album was recognized as one of the 10 best Polish albums of 2022 by Polityka weekly, TVN 24 and Onet. "This is a unique, multidimensional and innovative publication" (TVN 24); "An unpredictable and original sound portrait of Kora, created at a time when it seemed that no one had anything to add about her" (Gazeta Wyborcza); "Pepol managed to make Kora's voice, her singing and speech freely cross the borders of worlds and locate themselves in infinity" (Polityka). For the album, Michał was nominated for the Koryfeusz of Polish Music Award in the "Personality of the Year 2022" category. In 2023, the album was released in a vinyl version with four premiere songs.

Mela Koteluk: Sometimes, when falling asleep, this elusive phenomenon happens when it is difficult to distinguish what is reality and what is a dream, and this is what this album is like. In Michał Pepol's versatile compositions, Kora sounds like an inner voice and it is an extremely charismatic narrative. I have a suspicion, bordering on certainty, that this edition will stir the imagination and evoke real experiences in those who miss Kora and are still learning about its infinity. A multidimensional and delightful album!

Adam Suprynowicz: This album was created out of attachment, fascination and longing. It is a phonographic coexistence of two artists who have never met. Michał Pepol grew up, like many of us, on the songs of Kora and Maanam. He is a classically trained musician and co-founder of the world-renowned Royal String Quartet. Searching for his own voice as a soloist and composer, he collected sound material that had no original use. Sounds, recordings of various spaces and situations, imagined sounds. He was looking for more specific meanings that would open them up. Kora's lyrics turned out to be the key.

Kora ∞ Repryza

The album "Kora infinity" - the famous artistic event of 2022 - has been continued and released in a vinyl version. This is music that was recognized as one of the 10 best Polish albums of 2022 by Polityka weekly, TVN 24 and Onet. "This is a unique, multidimensional and innovative publication" (TVN 24); "An unpredictable and original sound portrait of Kora, created at a time when it seemed that no one had anything to add about her" (Gazeta Wyborcza); "Pepol managed to make Kora's voice, her singing and speech freely cross the borders of worlds and locate themselves in infinity" (Polityka). The album "Kora infinity" is a collection of pieces composed of private, unknown to the world and never released phonographic materials of Kora Jackowska, which Michał received from Kamil Sipowicz. After hearing the material from the album, Sipowicz confessed: "I know Kora so much that I can honestly say that she would love Michał himself and immediately include him in her cosmos."

The vinyl version of the album was released as a double disc and also includes 4 premieres: Kora singing duets with invited guests - Magdalena Cielecka, Raplh Kaminski, Baasch and Michał Pepol himself. The album premiere took place on September 15, 2023.