NORMAL ECHO
Following his chart-topping success as one half of avant-pop duo Niwea, producer/vocalist Dawid Szczęsny’s solo incarnation as NORMAL ECHO takes an elegantly somber approach to synth-based pop. Born and raised in Poland, Szczęsny was always fascinated by sample-based composition, drawing inspiration from hip-hop and electronic producers, including artists from his flourishing local scene. Szczęsny’s unique sound sources range from library music to a more abstract, musique concrète approach of capturing and processing ambient noises from everyday life. Using microphones, tape players, vinyl records and hardware samplers to perform and arrange his pieces, Szczęsny’s early textural work eventually led to a partnership with renowned visual artist turned poet and vocalist Wojciech Bąkowski, forming the hugely successful duo Niwea in 2009. After two critically acclaimed albums, several hit songs and headlining festival appearances, Szczęsny honed his skills and confidence as a vocalist while singing backup in the band. The pair eventually parted ways in 2012 to pursue other projects and Szczesny began exploring a new mode of songwriting focused around his voice, adopting the solo moniker NORMAL ECHO and relocating to Berlin. Along with a shift towards the use of synthesizers, drum machines and guitar, Szczęsny’s smooth voice and cold delivery became NORMAL ECHO’s signature sound, earning him a new audience beyond his devoted Niwea fans. Now based in Vancouver, Szczęsny’s romanticized darkness lays the foundation for powerfully suspenseful minimalism that resonates between each evocative and timeless phrase of NORMAL ECHO.