SPLIN is a hardcore band from Poland. Having recently partnered with European hardcore powerhouse, Refuse Records, the band is about to release their 12" titled Type of Love.
The band's singer, Paula, answered some questions about SPLIN's formation, what we can expect from their upcoming record, and what hardcore is like in Poland right now. We're also premiering a track from the forthcoming EP called "Crack," so dig in!
How did SPLIN form?
SPLIN was formed in a way that you could say had two parallel paths. For a long time, Maciek, our drummer, and I had been planning to start a band together with a certain Dischord vibe. I really wanted to do something completely different from what I had done before, something with a strong emotional charge, but at the same time not something that would feel like a copy of anything else. We promised each other that one day it would definitely happen because we really enjoy working together.
Maciek runs Waiting Room Studio, and I have had the pleasure of recording there many times with my different projects and bands. Tomek, SPLIN's guitarist, used to play in Moira. When he decided to take his music in a different direction and step away from Moira, who was not entirely aligned with what he wanted to play, he suggested we start playing together. I also knew Tomek’s musical taste and the direction he tends to lean toward, and I felt it would be a good path for all of us, a good direction for Splin.
We spent quite a long time looking for a bassist until we finally came up with the idea of inviting Daniel to join the band. I was not completely sure it would work out because Daniel had been playing much heavier, grindcore-style music before, but it turned out he fit in perfectly. And that’s how we became SPLIN in full.
Please tell us about the lyrics to your song "Crack" that we're including in this interview.
Of course, I always leave room for listeners to interpret my lyrics in their own way. But if I had to say what the lyrics of “Crack” mean to me, I would say that, for me, it is about pointing out the limitations that others try to impose on us. Those people who try to act like the moral police, always ready to put us back in line so that we follow their rules and expectations. It is a way of saying something straight to someone’s face. Go ahead, keep trying to limit me even more. It will not change anything because that is simply who I am.
How is this project different from your previous band, Moira?
I think it is quite different in many aspects. In the way I sing, in the music, in the lyrics, and even in what happens on stage. Moira can be heavy and often carries a lot of negative emotions. There is a lot of dirt, darkness, and suffering in it, but sometimes it is good to spend time in that kind of space.
SPLIN is much more energetic. Even when I sing about difficult things, and it is still very emotional, I experience it in a completely different way. There is much less sadness and more of an attempt to face certain issues that feel very urgent and important to me. There is definitely much more space for different kinds of vocals and a different kind of energy on stage, but overall, it is simply a completely different vibe. Moira is darkness and a kind of cleansing, while SPLIN is energy and emotional intensity. Both bands are equally important to me.
How did you link up with Robert / Refuse Records?
We met Robert a few years ago during one of the editions of the Nacjonalizm Nie Dziękuję! Fest event in Bielsko Biała, where he came with one of the bands he was releasing. Of course, I already knew what Refuse Records was and which bands the label was putting out. A few years later, the idea of releasing Moira through the label came up. For some people, it was probably a bit surprising because Moira has never been a straight edge band, but exceptions like that have happened at Refuse Records before, and they still happen.
When SPLIN started to take shape, Robert was quite curious about what would come out of it. From time to time, I sent him recordings from our rehearsals, and he felt that it might become something that would fit well with him and the label. He decided to release our record without first hearing the full material.
So there was a bit of stress when I finally sent him the whole thing, but it turned out it was a perfect match for him, and he really liked what we had done. For me, it was great as well, because I have to admit I really appreciate his attention to detail and the creative freedom he gives during the process of making a record.
What can we look forward to on your 12", Type of Love?
These are eight fast, energetic, and emotional tracks with Dischord vibes, but with a more modern twist and very personal lyrics. Sometimes they’re political as well. I think everyone in the band really found their place in this material.
All of us were very excited about creating it, and we still are. I think that’s the best recommendation for this record. The people who made this music never got tired of it. It gave us a lot of satisfaction and joy throughout the process.
What is the hardcore scene in Poland like right now?
It’s hard to talk about the hardcore scene as something separate. It’s more like the broader scene in Poland that revolves around DIY activity. There are relatively few strictly hardcore bands in Poland. The same goes for straight edge bands. Hardcore here has become quite stylistically limited, it’s largely dominated by men, and it’s fairly insular. There aren’t really any big festivals focused exclusively on the genre, and you can count the number of girls in bands on the fingers of one hand.
It’s different when it comes to the broader DIY scene. Over the past few years, you can clearly see a growing number of young people attending shows, starting their own bands, or getting involved in various initiatives. The same goes for women. There are more and more of them in the space, and their voices and actions are becoming increasingly visible.
Of course, sexist behavior is still present, but I feel like there’s less of it than before. At the same time, it’s something deeply rooted in our mentality, traditions, and culture. It’s hard to get rid of, even for people in the DIY scene. It will take many more years and a lot of effort to change it, but I hope things are moving in the right direction.
***
The vinyl for Type of Love is available for pre-order now via Refuse Records.
SPLIN on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Tagged: splin
