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Interview with Anna Witczak
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Nuvo, Interview with Anna Witczak >>
Lotus Profile: Dikanda
by Kyle Long
It would be far too easy to describe Dikanda as a gypsy band. Yes, the music and culture of the Romani people are an obvious source of inspiration for the band; and, yes, a large part of the group's songbook draws from famous Romani standards like "Ederlezi" and "Usti, Usti Baba." But Dikanda's sound extends far beyond the borders of the Balkans, incorporating elements of Russian, Kurdish, Indian and African music, all filtered through the group's native Polish heritage.
Founded in Szczecin, Poland, in 1997, the 6-piece band is centered around the work of lead vocalist and accordionist Anna Witczak. Witczak possesses a powerful and deeply soulful voice capable of faithfully interpreting an impressive array of musical styles, from the plaintive tones of traditional Bulgarian music on "Sadila Mom," to the melismatic twists of the Rajasthani folk piece "Kaman Song."
Witczak told me she broke several Polish traffic laws while speeding home in time for our afternoon Skype appointment. She spoke passionately about Dikanda, but became a bit guarded when asked to dissect the varied elements of the group's sound.
NUVO: How do you describe Dikanda's musical style?
Anna Witczak: It's easy to describe: The style is Dikanda. Honest, fiery music played straight from the heart. I know people like to categorize and label everything, but I hope one day we can be recognized as simply playing Dikanda music.
NUVO: You work with a broad range of music genres: Macedonia, Bulgarian, Indian. Is there an element that binds these different styles together?
Witczak: No, there's not one particular thing that ties these different styles of music together. Our group shares a similar musical sensibility. Sometimes, without even talking to each other, we find ourselves going to the same concerts or enjoying the same music. So our sound is built around the mutual shared interests of the group.
NUVO: How do you choose the music you perform with Dikanda?
Witczak: I choose the music based on what touches my heart. Sometimes I'm moved by the rhythm of the music.There are so many rhythms, but there's only one that can represent a song and give it the right feeling.
NUVO: Is traditional Polish music part of your repertoire?
Witczak: Yes, in our repertoire we have traditional Polish folk songs; the latest one, for example, is called "Anna With the Gorgeous Black Eyes." It's a song that my grandmother used to sing, but we added an African beat to make it fresh. Polish folk music plays a very important role in our style, especially in our original songs, as the roots of the tradition are seated deep under our skin and remain in our memories. I recall winters in my childhood when it snowed so much we could not leave our home and we would sing traditional folk songs to pass the time. So the music is in my heart, as it was passed on to me by my ancestors.
NUVO: What can audiences expect from your performance at Lotus Fest?
Witczak: The audience can expect to get goosebumps.They can expect to be moved to dance. Some might cry, some might smile. They will see handsome talented men on the instruments, and gorgeous girls singing, and they will be moved forever.
Thanks to Malgorzata Babiarz for interpreting this interview. 09/22/11 >> go there
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