Daniel Szwed is the co-founder of the BNNT collective (with Konrad Smoleński), with whom he has been working in the sphere of sound and image since 2008. In his solo explorations, he focuses on a minimalist set, seeking new textures and sound colours. He electrifies drums, venturing into technoidal forms and metallic after-images based on rhythm. Sometimes he wraps aggressive play in grainy, drone-like layers, while at other times he touches on quasi-metal forms. He unconventionally uses percussion, builds reverb, and delves into the realms of raw techno and rough noise music. He balances on the edge of electroacoustics, metal, and industrial, setting his direction with steady sound and ritual form. Together with Patryk Daszkiewicz (DNMSZ), Mateusz Rosiński (JESSICA), and Krystian Piotr (LAS), he co-creates the collective-label HISS.
You have been musically active for many years. You are one of the co-founders of the BNNT collective, and also have pursued solo practice. Can you talk about the evolution of your work?
Before BNNT I played in different bands, a few albums were released, a lot of gigs played. When BNNT came up it was a big breaking point in my approach of thinking about music and sound. Over the time I’ve started to treat my instrument differently; reduce playing it, minimize the methods, trying to keep things rough but still exploring their sound.
BNNT is not just a traditional band – it transgressed music to visual arts and performance. The project has been an important part of the Polish underground scene. Can you talk about BNNT?
BNNT has changed over the years, and is still in that process. We started to play together around 2007.
The first gigs were more like a noise rock duo in black skinny costumes. We had also a long period playing really short and intense city interventions from a special prepared van. We called it “sound bombing”. Then we made two other albums, one with long repetitive pieces, and one with a poem from Athena Farokzhad’s reader through continually over four songs on the album which is very raw in sound and has some sort of electronic music vibe. We also invited five artists to interpret our Multiverse album. Now we’re in the process of finishing two albums, one with Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, and the other with Mats Gustafsson. BNNT is more like a herd than a band or collective.
Drums remain at the centre of your sonic work – can you talk about your approach to this instrument?
Drums were always my one and only instrument. After many years playing on acoustic drum set I feel confident enough to research different ways of playing it. I started to play solo compositions about three years ago during the pandemic. It was the easiest way to work on new material. In the beginning it was just a project for one gig for a special occasion. Then I continued, developed the sound, and the ideas. I started to explore new instruments, pedals, cables, and all of the endless possibilities and I got happily lost. Now drums are still at the centre of my sound universe but I’m not scared of combining them with other instruments.
Can you talk about how you build your sonic worlds? What elements are important – how do you work with sound?
The core is mostly a drum structure or a pattern and an idea of how it should sound.
I’m recording my voice making “beats”, or talking about an idea of a track to the phone recorder and collecting those quick sketches to add more specific sound, colour and mood later on. I work with guitars, synths, keys, self-made instruments, sometimes voice. As a visual artist I often try to compose my pieces as if they were a painting, thinking at once about all the details but also the general composition itself.
You are also part of the collective/label Hiss. Can you talk about this venture?
Hiss collective is Jessica (Mateusz Rosiński), DMNSZ (Patryk Daszkiewicz), Krystian Piotr and I. We decided to create something new just to refresh our heads a bit. We play gigs together, make events, play DJ sets, release music as a label, create zines and other publications. For me, the really important thing here is the label. Our assumption is to treat it completely casually, but paying attention to the details regarding how our publications looks like. We’ve released six cassettes, one 8”vinyl and one zine so far. Apart from creating music together we are just a bunch of friends.
What have you been up to lately? Is music your main activity/ “job”?
I played a gig with Freddy Ruppert and Lisa Tesla in Prague a few days ago, and now I’m back to the job and designing a book for one artist. Music is not my main activity. I’m a graphic designer. My wife and I run a graphic design studio, working in the artistic and cultural fields.
Photo: Bastek Lakas Press