Doomed Confessionary: Karol, Martyn, Mateusz & Paweł (CTRL+Z)
Photo credits: Żaneta Zawierta
CTRL+Z is a psychedelic stoner rock band rising not from the California sands, but from the cobblestones of Łódź, Poland with post-industrial grayness, chaos, and city dust instead of a desert horizon. Their roots lie in jam sessions – psychedelic, unbridled improvisations that give rise to the first sketches of songs. Compositions take shape intuitively before reaching the studio for mixing and mastering.
Their debut album »We Are Social Creatures« was released on August 25th, 2025 via Interstellar Smoke Records. This album is an amalgam of styles and snapshots of the post-industrial city of Łódź in Poland. The songs reflect the emotions that accompany experiencing both the bustle of a modern city and the hidden character of the metropolis. On the album, the band has created a musical mosaic of sounds that illustrates the grime of Łódź’s industrial outskirts.
CTRL+Z are Paweł Leszczyński (drums), Mateusz Ulański (guitar), Karol Bukowski (guitar) and Martyn Gill (bass).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Karol: We’re a group of friends who started jamming in a rehearsal room that quickly became our DIY studio. We recorded everything, kept the magic of the first takes, and sculpted songs out of long improvisations. CTRL+Z is music without rules or genre restrictions; it’s guided by our general gut feelings, without worrying much about conventions. When you see our name, you shouldn’t know what to expect, and that’s the point.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Karol: Learning to really listen to each other. Different temperaments, tastes, and workflows can clash. We’re still mastering communication, sharing responsibilities, and respecting different viewpoints. That’s the work behind the music. The constant fight of strong characters and different personality types.
Martyn: Playing music is easy, playing venues too. But doing social media content is a pain in the ass, which needs to be done, but nobody wants to do it.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Karol: Our debut album »We Are Social Creatures«. It took four years of hard work. We did it ourselves: recorded in our rehearsal room, I mixed and mastered the record, and Martyn created the full visual identity. DIY from first riff to final print. It isn’t “perfect,” but it is exactly what we wanted. We had full control, room to learn, and had an amazing journey.
Mateusz: At this moment, I’m probably most proud of the fact that our debut album was released by Interstellar Smoke Records – and we recorded it ourselves in our rehearsal room.
What was your biggest regret?
Mateusz: I might have been a bit more satisfied if we played a few more shows in general – but we’re working on it.
Paweł: While we were rehearsing, I didn’t tighten the butterfly nut on the ride stand tightly enough, and it fell off somewhere while I was playing. I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find it, so I had to buy a new one…
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Karol: Our first gig at AQQ in Września felt like a door opening. Pure fulfillment and gratification when we saw for the first time that our music is enjoyable not only for ourselves. We also loved Browar Warkot with Monolake and UV in Łódź with Tet and Hermopolis. Some nights you feel invincible, some nights you don’t. Those shows had the energy we live for.
Mateusz: I don’t think I have a favorite concert we’ve played so far, but (maybe it’s a bit strange) I personally definitely prefer the vibe of a small club, where we have closer contact with the audience, rather than, for example, outdoor shows.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Karol: How much happens offstage. Load the gear, drive, set up, soundcheck, play, break down, drive again. The show is the tip of the iceberg. The logistics are the mass below the waterline. Also, marketing is another massive thing to take care of. In the age of social platforms, it tends to be particularly irritating to do.
Mateusz: Technical stuff: you have no idea how many things can go wrong during a show sometimes 😉
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Karol: Kanaan, Atom Juice, Delving, Astral Nomad, Klawo, Hermopolis, Mother’s Cake, Fish Basket, Maruja, The Smile, Fontaines D.C., James Blake.
Mateusz: I’m a musical “boomer” raised on Jimi Hendrix Experience and the music of the ’60s and ’70s. I’m always happy to check out new stuff from bands like Weedpecker, Elder, or King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. And of course, I highly recommend the Polish psych-stoner scene 🙂
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Karol: Imagination first. Let technique serve the idea, not replace it. Music is not about showing your skills. Treat music as a conversation: listen, leave space, be the solid backdrop when the song needs it. Focus on change, dynamics, emotional drift, and contrast. Often, less is more. A well-timed pause can be the best you can do. On stage, aim for a trance, quiet the mind, and let intuition lead. That’s when music reaches places intellect alone can’t.
Mateusz: Play by ear as much as possible, listen to the musicians you play with, strive to become a better musician and a better person.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Martyn: I guess blasting Rychu Peja (shitty old school Polish rap) while driving around the town. Also munching on off-brand chili & lime crisps.
Mateusz: I’m not sure if this counts as a guilty pleasure, but recently I discovered a band that my friends probably wouldn’t expect me to listen to. They’re from the UK and called FIZZ — they’re great.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Łódź?
Karol: Łódź is buzzing. There are lots of shows and new releases in 2025. Keep an eye on Hethet, Snakes Snakes Snakes, Multipla Drivers, Pleń, Szajs, and Patma.
Paweł: Łódź has some great bands and an overall diverse, ingenious, motivated music scene. I believe there is a strong feeling of mutual support and appreciation between numerous bands and musicians. To recommend something, I shall mention “Studio Widnokrąg” – a new label made by passionate and nice people, with some great albums under its belt already.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Karol: We’re still planning shows, but we’re playing 23.10. in Warsaw at the Jazz Jamobree Festival, Monsters Of Jazz gig. More dates to come.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Karol: Keep writing new stuff, play as much as we can, and aim for major festivals in Europe and the US. We want to grow as musicians and producers, improving our recording, mixing, and mastering with every release.
Paweł: Play our brand new album whenever we can, play some festivals and larger stages next year, and hopefully finish a second album!
How can people best support your band?
Karol: Listen and share the album, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, come to shows, and grab a CD and merch. Word-of-mouth is everything at our stage.
Mateusz: Just come to the shows 🙂
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Mateusz: Watch out for trucks.
Paweł: Support your local scene and indie/alternative projects. Be brave and inquisitive – we can access virtually any music, but we choose what to listen to. Have fun at concerts. We are social creatures 🙂
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well