Balwako On the Making Of “Bitter Cup”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Bitter Cup?"
It started from the lyrics this time. I wrote the lyrics one night, after a party in Amsterdam. During that night I met my ex in the club. All this dance nostalgia and clear emotions that used to be confusing for me since the break up led me to present this story this way. Then I started looking for a producer it was a long journey cause I couldn’t find anybody who would understand my vision until I found Sander (Sander Boulogne producent of “Bitter Cup”) From the first seconds I knew this version would be released. It was like a dream come through, to hear it for the first time. I’m endlessly grateful to him for this production.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Bitter Cup?"
I remember the first demos I recorded at home on my phone while writing the lyrics. Then I made some home recordings with the first producer I started to work with but the sound I was looking for wasn't there. However, at that time I already wrote and recorded all melodies at one of the sessions with a producer in his studio based in Delft, Netherlands who invited me to collaborate on his track. Vocals from this session were sent to Sander and the song became complete.
What do you like the best about this track?
The nostalgic mood we were able to catch - it’s a bit of nostalgia about the songs from my childhood and the nostalgia about love in the lyrics.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
It all started in 99 with my first performance in a local talent show as 5 years old. Since then I have been always singing around at local competitions, school academies, and then bigger events like national competitions and TV Shows - I won Clashes of Choir in Poland, II season. It was a music TV show where 8 groups "fight" on songs. We were singing, dancing - performing for our lives. In 2018 I released my first single followed by EP - I used to live in Poland at that time. My sound was inspired by jazz, soul, and the 60s very much. After this, I moved to Netherlands and since 2021 I have been releasing music again with new sounds I am still exploring to become the best pop artist in the future: the songs I mentioned are Flat Line, Lost Myself, L&A, and EP "Flat line remixes" and now I’m back with new single “Bitter Cup” and many music surprises that will start appearing in a few days already.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a musician, and how did you overcome them?
I love the process of creating and working on my art however the nightmare starts after the song is ready which is business and marketing. As an independent artist, I’m doing everything on my own and I’m still learning cause this is the only way how can I overcome what is unknown.