Today should be the day Newcastle singer songwriter Szymon Borzestowski makes his victorious debut onto the Australian music stage, but in 2012 at just 23 years of age he lost his ongoing battle with depression.
Music was for the most part Szymon’s respite and passion – he loved it, lived it, breathed it. A bright, brilliant talent, the young Newcastle artist would happily lose himself in his bedroom studio for days, playfully honing his humble yet hypnotic art-pop.
Tirelessly through 2008, he was working hard to record an album worth of songs, and was on the verge of signing a record deal with EMI at just 19, but not before the darkness of mental illness began to fall and it was decided his treatment had to come first.
Determined not to let his beloved music pass with him, Szymon’s family teamed up with with fellow supporters Craig Hawker (Sony ATV) and Mark Holland (EMI) to give the album titled Tigersapp the spotlight it deserved.
To celebrate this stunning record getting a public release, and commemorate Szymon’s legacy we spoke with industry iconic Craig Hawker (Sony ATV) and Mark Holland (EMI) who have championed Szymon’s music since his EMI signing in 2009. Holland and Hawker took us inside the project and the importance of the album release. Tigersapp is out today – for more info visit www.elopermusic.com.
Szymon’s Biggest Influences
[Mark] Szymon’s biggest influences were artists like Royksopp, Air, Bonobo, Empire Of The Sun & Fleetwood Mac. All artists with integrity and unique production techniques.
The Meaning Behind The Album’s Title
[Mark] Tigersapp was the artist name that Szymon was toying with while he was recording the album in 2008 – 2009. We all thought it would be apt to name the album this.
How The Release Of Tigersapp & Syzmon’s Story Will Help Battle The Stigma Around Mental Illness
[Craig] “There is no easy answer here. I think often it is ignorance – the idea that depression is a weakness rather than an illness is something that should always be challenged. The more we talk about and draw attention to this complex issue, hopefully more people will be comfortable to talk openly about their struggles and seek help from amazing organisation’s like Headspace, Beyond Blue and Lifeline.”
Szymon Work Process
[Mark] “Szymon kept to himself with his work process until he was happy to show his progress in the tracks. He would usually send us a 10 – 15 second idea and await feedback, and then bunker down again and come up with a near finished song. This could sometimes take a days, sometimes weeks.
He was a complete perfectionist and worked tirelessly until he had produced the sounds on all instruments that he was hearing in his head. He solely worked on one track at a time until he had completed it and then moved onto the next one.”
How The Album Grew With Szymon
[Mark] “The project progressed more each song at a time as he became more competent with his recording equipment. He recorded this whole album on a program called “Fruity Loops” which by today’s standards is quite basic, yet he was still able to achieve a professional standard.
These tracks have been left as Szymon intended with the guide of his reference mixes. There’s always scope to push mixes in different directions sonically but staying true to Szymon’s intention was always our goal.”
The Process Of Collecting His Work To Create Tigersapp
[Mark] “The album was curated with all the songs we had mix parts available for which Szymon had delivered to EMI in late 2009. This was the album he created. Unfortunately most of the ideas Szymon had created were never stemmed and bounced out to mix, but there are a few songs we have unearthed.”
Why EMI Decided To Release Tigersapp After Signing Szymon in 2009
“Given my own history working at EMI in the past and Mark Holland continues to work there, it made total sense to have EMI distribute the album in Australia and New Zealand.
They’ve always been passionate about Szymon’s music and I’m really glad for their part in making this release happen. Who knows what will happen internationally but we hope to find a partner to release in other territories.”
If you or someone you know may be dealing with a mental illness, seek help:
Beyond Blue | www.beyondblue.org.au | 1300 22 4636
Lifeline | www.lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14
