London’s vibrant music scene has long been celebrated for its diversity and constant evolution, shaped by a cross-pollination of cultural influences and unique environments. Nestled within this eclectic tableau, an experimental industrial duo named Error C.D. is crafting a singular sound, drenched in the raw energy of the city’s industrial landscapes. Drawing from a fusion of organic and electronic textures, they are not just another name on the list, but an embodiment of the powerful interplay between culture, environment, and creativity.
Mikolaj, one half of the duo, introduces us to the intricate web of their music, rooted in the heart of London’s warehouse communities. These spaces, birthed from the skeletal remains of post-industrial buildings, have transformed into eclectic communes teeming with artistic expression. From the walls of these warehouses, a diverse blend of artists births a continual stream of niche, visionary works.
Events like CruxAV, an experimental Audio–Visual extravaganza, see artists from around the globe converge to share and grow within this creative melting pot. Amid the bustle and energy of these surroundings, the warehouse serves as a canvas, allowing Error C.D. to paint their auditory portraits with strokes of urban brutalism and hints of the alternative.
Their debut single, “Emergency Exit“, released on June 1st, 2023, is a testament to the influence of these surroundings. Recorded in various outdoor locations across London, from under the bridges of South Tottenham to the grimy streets, the track basks in the harshness of the city. It bristles with heavy bass lines, distorted guitars, punchy drums, and vigorous vocals, each element a nod to the duo’s industrial inspiration.
But beneath the sonic spectacle, Error C.D. does not shy away from addressing the societal implications of their environment. They challenge the status quo, questioning a system obsessed with monetary gain and unattainable standards of beauty. The band’s lyrical narrative carries a disillusionment with the modern world, aiming to reclaim space for pure human experience and relationships.
Error C.D.’s raw ethos and the tapestry of their debut single offer an intriguing glimpse into their upcoming work. With an album in the pipeline, the duo’s story will continue to unfold, a narrative woven from the raw threads of urban brutalism, community spirit, and the push against societal norms.
Their story is not one of glorification or blind praise, but of gritty authenticity, lived experiences, and a profound interplay between the artist and the environment. As we stand on the precipice of their journey, keen to explore their upcoming offerings, Error C.D. promises a unique encounter with the visceral textures of London’s post-industrial soul.
As we await the official release, a sneak peek into their debut single can be found on YouTube. For a deeper dive into their ethos, explore their website and Bandcamp page. Those seeking an early taste of the upcoming album can peruse their 10-song demo album. Engage, immerse, and let Error C.D. guide you through the grungy alleyways of London’s sonic scene.
Mikolaj of Error C.D sat down with us and discussed how their unique experience of warehouse living in London significantly influences their music.
He described this environment as a hub for creativity, fostering a community that collectively creates and shares art. The raw, brutalist elements of the city, particularly its post-industrial atmosphere, find their way into the band’s music, becoming a defining part of their sound. Mikolaj also talked about the socio-economic commentaries in their lyrics, reflecting a disillusionment with modern societal values.
He hopes their music can inspire listeners to challenge their perceptions of societal structures. Finally, he touched on the stark class disparities in London, indicating that addressing these through their music is a form of protest against the illusions of glamorous lifestyles often portrayed in the media.
Check out our full interview below.
Mikolaj, you mentioned that the unique culture of warehouse living in London has had a significant impact on Error C.D’s music. Could you describe in more depth how living in such a unique and raw environment has influenced not just your sonic palette, but the thematic underpinnings of your work?
Living in a warehouse is something different from any other place. Our warehouse used to be a factory that made taps for sinks, and it was built in a way not adapted to living inside. The first people who came in rearranged the whole place by building walls, toilets, electric installations etc. Therefore, the entire place has a unique DIY style, and you can feel it when you live here. There is also freedom since you can make the room really yours – there is no official landlord that you need to ask for every damn picture you wanna hang on your wall etc. When we moved in to make our home studio, we painted the walls and made it our own space. But there is a price to pay – the living conditions are not good, and the surroundings are harsh. Because initially, it was built to be factory windows are scarce, and air inside rooms tends to be really stiff due to poor air circulation. So usually, after a while, it affects your mood badly. These particular spaces also have one thing in common – community. People tend to hang out in the living rooms, spending time and creating art together – often, it comes naturally and spontaneously; no one is forcing you to socialise. People here are always interesting, with different stories coming from other parts of the world, different perspectives, cultures etc. It builds this unique vibe and atmosphere, creating art, stories and ideas.
Living here soaks you up with this energy and a will to create, a will to express yourself on a freeway – whether you feel angry, overwhelmed with life or happy and hopeful for the future – there is a place for everyone. Therefore in our project, we let this energy flow through us and guide us to create new unique compositions.
The theme of post-industrial atmospheres is integral to your music, and London, with its juxtaposition of the modern and the historically industrial, seems a perfect muse. In your upcoming album, can we expect more exploration of this theme, and in what ways might it evolve as your sound matures?
Our first single came from a rough couple of months in London during winter. The brutalism, dirtiness and griminess of the city sparked in us these intense feelings that we decided to let go of in our writing processes, creating that dark, raw, post-industrial and heavy atmosphere. Besides being inspired by the surroundings, we love to use and document it – it can be literally heard and is an integral part of our recording process. Vocals were recorded under one of the old industrial bridges near our home for a unique reverb that it has; some of the samples we used in the song were recorded in a tunnel in Greenwich. Therefore, our music is deeply immersed in our surroundings. Besides inspiration, we use its physical existence for creation – so you can say that London’s brutalism is physically printed onto our sound. More material came out of this particular time, so you will be able to hear more of it on the upcoming album.
However, it’s only a part of all the material we have. Besides the griminess, in London, you might also find a shed of light from time to time. Raves, gigs, and new artists come from various backgrounds and stories. When you live around those events, you always exchange music with each other; it makes you explore different niches and upcoming or forgotten artists. It’s always inspiring since you never know what you will stumble upon. Those experiences also pushed us to break some boundaries and experiment with various mixes of sounds and genres. I tend to experiment a lot with sampling folk singing or folk sounds. I got this fascination during my travels to countries like Georgia or Iran. Patryk travelled through the Balkans and got a bit of soundscape from there. You always grasp new sounds, different instruments and arrangements, and it’s sometimes so beautiful yet so different. So on the upcoming album, you will also be able to hear some of that in our music, trying to merge other worlds, different histories and traditions into one piece. It’s challenging, but I’m sure it’s worth the experience of submerging ourselves in those not so well explored waters. At the end of the day, we believe that music will tell and create what the mouth and pen can’t.
The socio-economic commentaries that run through your lyrics speak of a deep disillusionment with modern societal values. Do you see music as a tool for change, and in what way do you hope Error C.D’s music will inspire or challenge listeners in their perception of these issues?
I hope people can relate to the lyrics and how big cities, full of chaos, affect them. Because that’s ultimately what’s the song about. The fast pace that society puts on us regarding our careers, lives, and choices. Besides that, it even takes time away from us with its consumerism, advertisements at every step and dopamine-exhausting social media. How are we supposed to function normally when we are bombarded at each glance with those things, and the information we get is overloading us? I feel like we lose our warmth towards ourselves as a society, we lose our genuineness and sincerity, and most of us lose humility and embrace the narcissistic character. Those traits are shown as essential to achieve success in our world, and in our system. And I think that most people, when they grow up, especially when they experience the competitive nature of humans, believe that this is the way to climb to the top. But is there one way to one “top”?
I had an opportunity to travel through Iran for over a month, meeting all various people, often my age. Experiencing a culture that is such a contrast to our Western culture and with its isolated nature has immensely broadened my perspective on how our society functions. In Iran, I experienced things I had difficulties experiencing in our money-oriented cultures – warmth, humility, modesty, genuineness and friendliness to the extent that it’s difficult to describe. Of course, their society has even more problems than ours, but it has taught me what we as a society lack or, rather, what we have lost due to an unpaced evolution of our system. But it’s not only dark. Besides the flaws that can be recognized within our society, I started to also notice the good things and value them more – like freedom of expression, speech and movement. So I think, in the end, the balance is crucial, and I hope that Error C.D. inspires or ponders important questions to listeners, helping them challenge and augment their perspectives on their lives within this structured society we exist in.
Your debut single “Emergency Exit” draws its spirit from the brutalism of London’s urban settlements. What led you to create such a tangible connection between the physical cityscape and your music? Do you see this as a form of protest or an artistic commentary on the gentrification of the city?
I think the physical cityscape immensely impacts us profoundly, subconsciously altering our creative abilities. Everyone has a unique connection to their creative spirit. In my case, the brutalism of London’s urban settlements in contrast to its gentrified and high-class boroughs, has created a sense of detachment and injustice. It just feels wrong and like something is malfunctioning in that system. While in Hampstead, people read their local news about how the garbage trucks are wrongly parked, in Tottenham, every month, someone is stabbed to death and gang fights are a normal sight, even in broad daylight. Just 2 streets from us, there was this 17-year-old child who was shot and stabbed in the head to death 2 months ago. This is terrifying and does put a powerful contrast between the lives of people living in the same city, often separated by a 20-minute tube ride.
I think that speaking about this class division is a form of protest, a protest against an illusion that social media creates with its emphasis on glamorous and consumerist lifestyles. They try to keep us living the lives of others, cheering for their greed and materialistic possessions celebrities have. At the same time, they do not address fundamental problems that many people living in the city experience. Fortunately, fewer people fall for it, and a time will come when the ruling class will finally lose themselves in their own game of illusion and fail. I hope that Error C.D will help underrepresented people not feel alone in this seemingly hopeless fight.
