photo: Grzegorz Wijata
The band Odpoczno was formed in 2014 by experienced musicians who are involved in various genres: from Polish traditional music to the alternative rock scene and improvised music.Despite their diverse backgrounds, they discovered a shared passion for the music from the Opoczno region. With a desire to preserve the raw and authentic sound while exploring their own musical roots, the band combines contemporary improvisation with the vibrant energy of rural playing. Their music is perfectly suited for live performances, and they are no strangers to playing at dance events in rural community centers.
Marcin Lorenc, a student of the renowned Łęczyca master of obereks, Tadeusz Kubiak, showcases his talent on the fiddle. Joanna Szczęsnowicz impressively combines stylish vocals with playing the electronic bass. Piotr Gwadera skillfully incorporates jazz elements into his percussion set, which consists of a snare drum, cymbals, and bass drum. Marek Kądziela brings a unique twist to traditional tunes with his electric guitar, extracting more from the amplifier than any factory ever could.
Odpoczno achieved notable recognition for their musical talent and achievements. In 2015, they were awarded the 3rd Prize at the prestigious Polish Radio Folk Music Competition, Nowa Tradycja. In 2018, they had the honour of being the sole representative of Poland at the international WOMEX World Music Festival. Their album titled “Dryf,” released in 2022, was acclaimed as the Best Album of 2022 in the renowned Polish Radio competition, Folkowy Fonogram Roku (Folk Phonogram of the Year) 2022.
