Doomed Confessionary: Karo & Kuba (Traces To Nowhere)
Photo by Aleksandra Krucza
Traces To Nowhere is an alternative/post-metal band from Warsaw, Poland. The band borrowed its name from the first episode of cult television series Twin Peaks, which remains beyond-music inspiration for the band members.
Thanks to rejection of boundaries, their creation is free from schematic thinking, giving space for various emotions. Traces To Nowhere music is mainly heavy, multi-layered songs enriched with melodic vocals.
The band released their second full-length album »Lost Tribe« on April 22nd, 2024. Available now on CD and digitally.
Traces To Nowhere are Karolina Mazurska (vocals), Tomek Niedzielko (guitars, synths), Jan Kaliszewski (bass) and Jakub Tolak (drums, synths).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Karo: We took our name from the first episode of Twin Peaks, television serial drama by David Lynch, which remains beyond-music inspiration for us. From the very beginning we has tried not to stick to one genre, our music is a mix of very different sounds, from post-metal, post-rock and industrial, to widely understood alternative music and trip-hop.
Kuba: It is called “Traces To Nowhere” and this is how we create music – go different directions, get lost and come back with the ideas.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Kuba: Time.
Karo: I guess preparing of our last album – »Lost Tribe«. We had a lot of beyond musical adversities in our private lives, so it was not easy to do everything the way we set out to do it. But we finally managed it.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Karo: That we still play together despite numerous adversities in recent years. We are also very proud of our last album – we did really good job in my opinion.
Kuba: Yes – last album called »Lost Tribe«. Everyone put a lot of effort into it.
What was your biggest regret?
Kuba: No regrets, we try to make the best decisions at a given moment, based on what we know. The fact that we learn more later is actually irrelevant.
Karo: But, unfortunately, we play too few concerts. We love to play live, so it is a real pity.
Photo by Oskar Jan Jarzyna
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Karo: I remember a lot of great shows, but one was absolutely special – the show in old church in Wielbark/Poland, where the atmosphere was utterly unique. Everyone from the metal scene wants to play in church – and we did it! 😉
Kuba: Best concerts usually happen in smaller venues. But yes, the most memorable one, though, was in an abandoned church. It was recorded, so feel invited to find “Traces To Nowhere at the church” on YouTube.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Karo: It is a long road – you have to put aaallot of work in anything you are doing, especially in promoting music.
Kuba: That people still appreciate playing live, on real instruments. At one point it wasn’t so obvious.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Kuba: If you add up all the team members, it is probably everything, except shitty music.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Karo: Have fun and don’t overdo the vocal exercises. If you’re on stage take pleasure in it for yourself.
Kuba: Practice in the rehearsal room, follow your guts on the stage.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Kuba: Crappy horrors and party music at the parties.
Karo: Horse riding and delight in beauty (nature, art, colors and so on) and of course singing in the car.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Warsaw?
Karo: The scene is still developing. There is a lot of really good bands in Warsaw and new ones are being created all the time.
Kuba: Many amazing bands, many great concerts, young people get better and better at what they do and play. No matter if it is metal or rap, new generations always bring something new to the table. That is awesome.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Kuba: We will be playing in Poznań, Poland on 21.12.2024. Feel invited.
Karo: We are still working on this. We hope we play some more shows in winter/spring. Of course if you – dear promotors want to have us somewhere – do not hesitate to contact us 😉
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Karo: First of all, we would very much like to play a lot of concerts. Playing concerts gives us wings and propels us forward.
How can people best support your band?
Karo: Come to our concerts, buy our merch (tracestonowhere.bandcamp.com), let us know that what we are doing makes sense 😉
Kuba: And listen to our music at: open.spotify.com.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Karo: Thank you very, very much for listening our music, coming for shows and supporting us in any way. It means a lot for us!
Kuba: Generally, we try not to preach about anything. Live and let live!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well