SPLIN - Shouting dissent : SPLIN’s punk resistance ! (Poland - HardCore/Punk - Interview with Paula).

Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music? 
Paula : Each of us came from a different background and started our journey in our own way, but what we all shared was the need to express ourselves and to create freely, without limitations. It was also about doing something together with people who see the world in a similar way and care about the same important things.
My story started quite early, I think, when I was around 12 years old. My older brother, who was in a class with punk kids, began bringing home different punk music. I liked it so much that I started discovering more and more stuffs on my own. Once I got into bands like Minor Threat, Youth Brigade, and 7 Seconds, along with everything that came with that scene, I was completely drawn in. I liked that it is more than just music. Behind it all there are values that are close to my heart. Of course not everything in this scene is perfect, but it is a good space to be able to express myself creatively.

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
SPLIN came together along two paths that eventually converged. For a long time, Maciek, our drummer, and I had been talking about starting a band rooted in the spirit of Dischord Records. I wanted to create something completely different from my previous projects, something emotionally intense yet still honest and not derivative. We have always worked well together, so it felt inevitable that it would happen at some point. I had also spent a lot of time recording at Waiting Room Studio, which Maciek runs, so we already shared a strong creative connection.
At the same time, Tomek, our guitarist, who previously played in Moira, was looking for a new direction. When he decided to move on from that project, he reached out about playing together. I knew his taste and the kind of sound he gravitates toward, and it immediately felt like a natural fit and a clear direction for what would become SPLIN.
Finding the right bassist took a bit longer. After some time, we asked Daniel to join, and he fit perfectly.
That is how the current lineup came together. As for why this band, it ultimately comes down to the need to create something honest with people who share a similar sensitivity and approach, while also pushing ourselves into new emotional and musical territory.

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost?
Our sound moves somewhere between the spirit of Dischord bands and a more modern approach. I would not say you absolutely have to listen to our music at all cost, but if you are into energetic and emotional hardcore that sits between old and new vibes, then this might be something for you.

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics? 
Our influences definitely include bands connected to Dischord Records, across its different eras. For some of us, that also means inspiration from the straight edge movement, while for others it extends to riot grrrl. There are also those among us who enjoy the powerful sounds of the Scandinavian d-beat scene or have a taste for grindcore sounds. ;)
I write the lyrics. They are deeply personal, but they also reflect a feminist perspective and, at times, a political one. What matters most to me is that the lyrics feel authentic—that they truly belong to me and speak to what affects me, what I struggle with, what I care about, and what I want to question or change. I usually write in my native language, but this time I challenged myself to create lyrics in English.

Current projects ? I have heard about a first album to be released soon.. right ?  
We are currently preparing to release our debut LP, Type of Love, through Refuse Records. The label previously released music by one of my bands, Moira, so I already had a great deal of trust in how the process would unfold. I knew that Robert would give us the creative freedom we needed while also ensuring that every detail was handled with care. It was important to us that everything felt refined and aligned with our original vision.
At the same time, we are already working on new material and planning to enter the studio in the near future. The idea is for the next album to serve, in a way, as a continuation of the first and to form a cohesive whole. I would rather not reveal too much at this stage, as everything is still evolving. For now, we are simply enjoying the process, playing shows, writing new songs, and experiencing everything that comes with releasing this record.

Can you tell maybe a bit more about its content ? How will it be available ? And your feelings about it ?  
For now, it will be available exclusively on vinyl. There will be a standard black edition, a limited splatter version, and a test press.
The album features eight energetic tracks with personal lyrics. The cover artwork is based on a photo I took on a beautiful winter day. I had the idea of placing a rose on the frozen surface of a bathtub, and it felt like a striking concept that fits the character of the record. It works as a metaphor for how love can take different forms. The rest of the visuals include photos by talented photographers: Radomił Poziom Gomółka, Daniel Goliasz, and Sabina Fela Mures. Overall, I feel fully satisfied with how the album turned out artistically.

Future plans? 
A second album, some great shows, a solid tour, and recording a live session.

Your most insane dream with the band would be?
It is probably better not to reveal dreams, just to avoid disappointment, but they are definitely connected to taking our band on tour to places that feel exciting and far away from where we are now.

Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why? 
So far we have played only two shows, and honestly, we feel that both of them were really great. It was because of the atmosphere, the people, and the bands we had the chance to share the stage with. The first one was organized by the Mikolaj and long running crew TKA Ferment, and the second took place as part of the 15th anniversary of the feminist festival Vagina Dentata Fest, which I co organize together with the collective - Alina, Sabina and Pola and myself ;).
Both shows were connected to International Women's Day, so they had a strong feminist context. It was a really good and supportive start for us. There were lots of young people, friends, people dancing, and a genuinely positive atmosphere.
All of us have quite a long history of playing shows with our previous bands, but that is a story for another time.

Next live-appearance(s)?
Our next show is on Walpurgis Night in Warsaw on April 30. After that, we have a few more shows planned and several others that are still being finalized.
The confirmed dates where you can catch us live are:
19.06.2025 - Castet Release Show, Piąty Dom, Katowice
04.09.2026 - Outside Fest, Wojcieszów
12.09.2026 - Piąty Dom, Katowice
26.09.2026 - Refuse Records Showcase, Warszawa

Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name?
These are all the bands we currently play in: AFTER LAUGHTER, MOIRA, BRUDNE CZYNY, SLAVENKUST, and NO MORE FLOWERS.
As for our friends from the wider Polish scene, we would definitely mention CASTET, SKORUPA, FAUL TECHNICZNY, ENERGY JAR, YE.STEM, and OMELAS.

Last word is yours.. 
Thanks for the interview. See you at shows and wherever good independent initiatives are happening.



Credits : 
Live photos (1,2,3,4 & 7) : Sabina FELA MURES
Live photo (5 & 6) : Daniel GOLIASZ