Mauro Pawlowski: “I want to keep things simple”
Seven years after playing their first gig, Gruppo Di Pawlowski release their debut album and play across the region this month
Frontman gives up guitar to sing and yell
And that’s what he did with Neutral Village Massacre, the debut album by his band Gruppo Di Pawlowski.
But there was one small problem: “It was difficult to find the right place in Belgium to do that. I’m not saying there aren’t good studios that work that way, but the mentality here is different: Too often a song is still built layer after layer. But I think that’s not necessary.”
The solution was found in Chicago in the Electrical Audio studio belonging to legendary sound engineer Steve Albini. Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Pixies and Sonic Youth are just a few of the thousand or so artists and bands he has worked with. He was the right man to record the guitar-driven lunacy in which Gruppo excel. “He’s a great guy to work with, very down to earth. His studio has some guest rooms, so we just stayed there.”
Singer and guitarist Pawlowski, who was born in Limburg province but lives in Antwerp, is far from a debutant. On the contrary, the artist, who turns 43 this month, has spearheaded dozens of bands and projects, ranging from lazy, melancholic pop songs with Hitsville Drunks via solo improvs such as Mauro Antonio Pawlowski to, for instance, the highly experimental incarnation Somnabula. But he rose to fame with Evil Superstars, the band that won Humo’s Rock Rally in 1994 and went on to sign a recording contract with A&M in London.
Evil Superstars recorded only two albums in the 1990s and have barely played a concert for the past 15 years, but “we haven’t officially split,” Pawlowski insists. “It’s always possible that one day we’ll get together again.”
For the past decade and a half, Pawlowski has never come as close to the refractory rock of the Evil Superstars as he does with Gruppo. “True,” he confirms, “there’s a clear thread running from the Evil Superstars to this band. We might even be playing some Superstars songs live.”
And the stage is where the heart of this band lies. “We’ve been around for almost seven years, and I never felt the urge to record an album.” That changed last year, with Neutral Village Massacre the result. Notably, Pawlowski is not playing guitar. “I never did in Gruppo. I’m only the singer this time around: I feel free to go wild on stage and cheer on the musicians.” (He actually does that on the album, too.)
A brilliant career move
For 10 years now, Pawlowski has also been the guitarist in dEUS. Though he didn’t know it at the time, it was a brilliant career move. The legendary Flemish band offer him the financial security that actually allows him to explore his many other musical endeavours. Ten years on, it’s difficult to imagine the Antwerp fivesome without him.
I come in on the days I’m needed, I bring some ideas, and if they’re not used, so be it
When Pawlowski said he likes to record quickly, I had to think of dEUS. They’re famous for camping out in the studio for a long time, even building their own studio for the purpose. “That’s different,” Pawlowski counters. “In that band, I come in on the days I’m needed, I bring some ideas, and if they’re not used, so be it.” Or in other words: He’s not running the show, and he’s fine with that.
For the next year, or maybe a bit longer, the world will have to do without dEUS. “It’s good to take a break.” Tom Barman, the group’s singer and guitarist, is working on a new album with Magnus, his electronic duo with CJ Bolland. dEUS keyboardist Klaas Janzoons, meanwhile, is opening a restaurant in Antwerp. But let there be no misunderstanding: “When the band resumes, I will still be a member,” Pawlowski assures us.
So this year, he will have plenty of time for his personal projects. One of them comes as a huge surprise. “In the autumn, I will release my first album as Maurits Pauwels, a Dutch version of my name. It will be all in Dutch.”
He refers to the likes of Raymond van het Groenewoud and Kris De Bruyne, who, in the 1970s, pioneered pop songs in Dutch in Flanders, musically playing the field bordered by rock, folk and chanson. “No big extravaganza,” Pawlowski promises. “Just some wistful and heart-wrenching songs.”
8 April, Vooruit, Ghent
9 April, AB, Brussels
10 April, De Kreun, Kortrijk
See website for more dates
Photo: Imagedesk
Music reviews
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www.yukotheband.be
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www.bennyzen.bandcamp.com
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www.brucebherman.com
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www.monrealmusic.com
