Formed in 2017 by guitarist Rafał Wierzbicki and drummer/vocalist John Ruger, AWEN has steadily evolved into a captivating fusion of 70s progressive rock and Celtic folk music. Their debut album, Grà, released in 2023, stands as a testament to their unique sound, blending intricate rock arrangements with folk melodies. With a lineup completed by Johny Virginia on bass, Albert Void on guitar, and multi-instrumentalist July Linden on flute, sax, and vocals, AWEN is a band that’s making waves with their diverse musical influences.
Melding Celtic Folk and Progressive Rock
The seeds of AWEN were planted in 2017 when John Ruger and guitarist Rafał Wierzbicki first came together with a shared love for folk music—particularly Celtic traditions. The band’s roots, however, extend beyond Celtic folk, embracing a wide spectrum of traditional music. The duo’s mutual admiration for the genre and a deep appreciation for 70s progressive rock provided the foundation for their collaboration. Ruger credits bands like Thin Lizzy as one of their early influences, particularly for their integration of Celtic elements into rock music. This fusion was something that Ruger and Wierzbicki hoped to explore further. “For us, Thin Lizzy were the first rock ‘n’ roll band with major Celtic influences, which naturally drew us toward combining these elements with our love for progressive rock,” Ruger reflects.
From the beginning, AWEN‘s vision was clear—crafting original songs that blend the folk traditions they cherished with the expansive and experimental spirit of progressive rock. This vision set the stage for their search for like-minded musicians, which eventually led to the arrival of bass player Johny Virginia, adding depth to the band’s evolving sound.
However, the band’s journey was not without its challenges, particularly in terms of lineup changes and finding the right fit for their musical direction. The role of lead guitarist proved to be especially difficult to fill. According to Ruger, AWEN went through numerous guitarists, many of whom stayed for only a couple of rehearsals before leaving. These brief stints left little impact on the band’s music, as Ruger emphasizes that AWEN’s musical identity was always firmly in place. “We always knew what we wanted to achieve musically and were searching for people who aligned with that vision. For us, the music came first—the musicians followed.”
Recording their debut album was also a learning curve. Early attempts at recording were scrapped, in part due to their ambitious goal of capturing an organic, folk-inspired vibe by recording outdoors. Unfortunately, the lack of an experienced recording engineer and limited technical know-how led to less-than-stellar results. “We thought recording in nature would add authenticity, but without the right expertise, it was a disaster,” Ruger laughs. “We learned a lot from that experience—mostly how not to do things.“
The band eventually regrouped, refining their approach and adopting a more traditional recording process that ultimately led to Grà. But before the album could take shape, AWEN needed a key ingredient—a lead guitarist who could help bring their musical vision to life. Enter Albert Void. According to Ruger, Void was the missing piece of the puzzle. “Albert is a true progressive guitarist. His eclectic taste in music, combined with his space rock influences, added a new dimension to our sound.” Finding a guitarist with the right sensibilities was no easy feat in Poland, where many guitarists gravitate toward either blues or metal. Void’s unique style and understanding of AWEN’s creative goals finally completed the band.
Balancing the band’s progressive rock framework with Celtic folk influences required a careful and organic approach. AWEN’s songwriting is informed by a broad range of inspirations, both conscious and unconscious. While Celtic melodies and instrumentation are central to the band’s identity, they do not limit themselves to that alone. Ruger sees the fusion of folk and rock as a progressive act in itself, allowing the band to explore different styles without being constrained. “Celtic folk is where our hearts lie, but we’re always open to other influences. Progressive music is about evolution, and that’s how our sound came together—naturally, without forcing it.“
With the stage now set, AWEN‘s story continues with the release of their debut album and their first live performance in 2024. The rest of the interview explores the band’s evolution, their musical inspirations, and their plans for the future.
Your debut album, Grà, was released earlier this year. Can you share more about the recording process and what challenges you faced?
John Ruger: The recording process was definitely a journey. We initially tried recording outdoors to capture an organic folk vibe, but that didn’t work out as planned. Without a sound engineer who really knew what they were doing, the recordings didn’t meet our expectations. After some trial and error, we decided to return to a more controlled studio setting. The biggest challenge was getting everything to sound just right, especially with the mix of folk and prog rock elements. But in the end, we managed to achieve the sound we had envisioned from the start.
The album has a very natural flow. How did you approach songwriting for this project?
John Ruger: The songwriting process was quite organic. Most of the songs came from jam sessions and evolved over time. Our goal was always to blend the Celtic folk traditions we love with progressive rock, but without making it feel forced. We drew inspiration from bands like Thin Lizzy and Jethro Tull, as well as the Celtic traditions we grew up with. Once Albert joined the band as lead guitarist, the songs really started to take shape, and we were able to push the progressive elements even further.
What would you say are the key themes or messages behind Grà?
John Ruger: Grà is Gaelic for love, and that’s really the heart of the album—love for nature, for tradition, and for the music itself. Each song tells its own story, but there’s a common thread of connection running through them, whether it’s a connection to our heritage or to each other as bandmates. We also explore the tension between past and present, which is something we feel deeply in our music.
How has the band’s chemistry evolved since the early days?
John Ruger: It’s evolved quite a lot. In the beginning, Rafał and I were figuring out what we wanted AWEN to be, and there were a lot of lineup changes. Once we found the right people, everything started to click. Now we have a really strong dynamic. Each member brings something unique to the table, and we’ve learned how to balance those different influences. We’ve grown not just as musicians but also as friends.
You’ve mentioned your love for 70s progressive rock. How do you keep that influence fresh while incorporating modern elements?
John Ruger: It’s all about balance. We love the experimental spirit of 70s prog rock, but we’re also living in the 21st century, so naturally, some modern influences sneak in. Our approach is to take the best of both worlds—keep the adventurous, boundary-pushing attitude of the 70s, but give it a modern twist with the production and some contemporary sensibilities. It helps that we listen to a wide range of music, so we’re always finding new ways to evolve our sound.
AWEN’s debut album Grà is available on Bandcamp. Follow AWEN on Instagram and Facebook.
