Matrimonium
Interview conducted on March 01, 2021
By Dan Locke
Members
Domina- Vocals, composer, spiritual support, graphic desigs
Dominus- Vocals, lyrics, guitars, drums, guide, idea and arrangement, overall marketing
You are from Poland. What is your upbringing?
DOMINA: I come from Poland, from a family that has always had musical influences,
How did you discover music?
As I said, music has always accompanied me, at some point in my life I discovered the genre of metal music and it stayed that way – I fell in love with this music.
How did you start to write music?
I started to create my songs in the previous band in which I was a singer – but in fact, my work began with my own project, which is the MATRIMONIUM band.
Describe your music.
The music we create is a combination of several musical genres on the border of metal and symphonic music – we can say that we create symphonic metal with various elements and influences. Every fan of metal music will find a note for himself here – there are sharp and heavy numbers, but we also have a lot of calm melodic and reflective ballads.
What was your first performance at like?
It was still in the previous band – we played a lot of different shows then – those were still good times without the virus – they were all good and every one was different – I miss them.
What makes a good songwriter?
You always have to create the music you feel and love – then there are emotions and feelings in the music – the audience will always be there if we are honest in what we do.
What is the process of writing your music?
It starts with an idea, no matter if it’s a guitar or piano, sometimes even a vocal track – such an idea is further developed and improved until a complete number is created.
How did your band form?
Matrimonium was founded together with my husband who is a guitarist – so we work together, our private life and passion for music. We played in the previous band together and it was finally time for our own project.
How did you get your band get the name Matrimonium?
Well, this name was taken from Latin and literally means marriage – that’s what we are đ đ
Do you belong to any to songwritersâ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Talks on these topics are ongoing
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
In Matrimonium it was “PRAWDA”
Tell me about your debut album Memories?
This is our first official album recorded as an independent band. We wanted to release the first few songs to reach the listener, in general we have many more songs in our repertoire and some of them will be on the new album, Memories was diverse and was the first signal to the world that there is such a band in Poland and they create music.
Is there a back story for Gabriel?
Each of us has his own “Gabriel”. Everyone interprets it differently, but everyone has his guardian who is with us all the time – and this is just a song about someone like that
What was the Westworld Competition?
It was a competition in which it was about creating a soundtrack to the new WESTWORLD series – of course Domina started and created her version đ TO listen on a private YT profile – I think it was quoted somewhere on the Mtrimonium website – I invite you because it sounds interesting.
Was there any story behind the video The Apocalypse?
The Apocalypse is a piece that touches upon many contemporary, current civilization problems such as hunger, violence, war and, of course, COVID-19. It shows how much we are exposed and at the same time defenseless – despite such a high technological advancement and the development of society, we are still being attacked by attacks from such sides.
What is your favorite track on your album?
From Memories â âPrawdaâ
From New album —- hmmm first let’s wait for the CD and see;)
What are youâre feeling about streaming music?
Another step in the development of civilization – I think it is inevitable – I just hope that the creators will not lose this and the nature of creating music will not lose. Everyone knows what it is like to buy an original CD in a store – tangible proof – contact with the creator, cover – the smell of paper. Such CDs always got their own place on the shelf with other CDs.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash,[ or (in North American usage) pound sign. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think it’s popular as a hashtag now
Digital vs. vinyl?
I don’t have a favorite – some people like vinyl, others want digital access to songs – I think both are good
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
The band Nightwish – Sleeping sun.
A very good song very melodic – it was kind of an inspiration to me.
In Poland you have the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford vaccines. How soon before you get it?
I don’t know, we’re waiting for vaccination right now – the age groups are planned and this is the procedure.
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected â not just those who are immune.) If âVideo Killed the Radio Starâ do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Vaccinations are ongoing and I do not know how long it will take before we reach the stage of herd immunity.
Smart people in their industry are responsible for this.
Has COVID destroyed live music?
 of course, he did. We were supposed to play some important concerts ourselves and unfortunately, they were canceled – I don’t know how it will be next – we’ll see – the music business has certainly suffered from this.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
this is obviously a good time to make music
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Not really – I have a lot of my current interests and I devote my time to them
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who donât have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
We have been watching NETFLIX for some time
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for âcommercial or non-personalâ purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users âmay not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience [âŠ] This will includes [Facebook] Live,â and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I’ve never used Facebook to present my concerts – I put all my music on YT and rather focus on this platform.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Fans are not lost – you can only lose your source of income from music – I do not know exactly what it is because we do not earn money from music – we work professionally. Certainly, listeners have a difficult contact with bands, but their music and works are available everywhere – so if someone wants to buy an album, they will buy it.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist. The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources.
Is the Polish government helping musicians with grants or any form of help during these times?
There are some aid actions for companies – but I didn’t focus on it because I didn’t need it – for sure such support for artists is needed and very important.
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you canât do music what would you like to be doing?
I work professionally in a completely different industry, so as I said, I am not in danger. However, I understand the situation of artists who lived only from playing and when they lost the opportunity to play, they also lost their livelihood and life
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
At the moment we have all the concerts on hold until the situation clears up and calms down.
