Introducing the creative force behind Spineinside, Tomasz Hankus emerges as a prolific music creator deeply intertwined with his artistic pseudonym. This moniker, more than a simple label, serves as a wellspring of personal inspiration, establishing boundaries and nurturing assertiveness in Hankus‘ creative journey. Rediscovering an old guitar in his teenage years sparked a passion for composition, a flame patiently nurtured until his 30s when he felt adequately prepared to extend the reach of his creations. In an ongoing process, Hankus endeavors to connect with a wider audience, aiming to resonate not only with their ears but also with their hearts. Join us as we delve into the musical odyssey of Spineinside and the man behind the pseudonym.
Let’s dive into the featured track on the compilation. Can you share the inspiration or story behind “All Hallows”?
We all experience our lifelines being turbulent sometimes and we don’t know how long it may take to get back to peacefull balance, so we tend to come up with some ways of coping with stress. This particular song is about living in sort of aftershock shematics after a moment my father passed away. I express denial towards my mother who wants to put me in a father figure of a family. Being selfless I felt I missed something important because there was no appropriate time and conditions to deal with bereavement. The clasp of resistance from both sides lasted long, Almost a year after – All hallows time was a period we realized how to solve it i guess.
Walk us through your creative process. How do you typically approach writing and composing music? What was your creative process like for your new album “More Than It’s Worth” in comparison to your debut “Primitive”?
While “Primitive” is a collection of musical snapshots of self-awarness journey done within a few years, “More Than It’s Worth” is narrowly condensed to a pivotal point in time. Both albums, however, were made in a similar approach, firstly I try to find the grip – figuring out a satisfying guitar melody or getting inspired by sounds I am able to adapt later. “More Than It’s Worth” is almost entirely conceived by short recording sessions of plugged guitar Usualy writing goes simultaneously with music composition. There are times I write whole lyrics in one hour and some arrangements just had to wait until the proper lyrics idea kicks in.
Who or what are your major influences in progressive/alternative rock? How do they impact your own musical style?
A few years ago with a help of my melomaniac friend I discovered Lingua Ignota and Anna von Hausswolf music which heavily inspired me and started to keep me focused on a different direction beside my natural pop/rock style. Sigur Rós represent the direction which I would love to lean towards in my further experiments.
What challenges have you faced as an artist in the scene, and how have you overcome them?
The technical part of the process is always most tiresome to be done well (well enough for an amateur myself) and full of uncertain moves to undo when you don;t want to ruin your arrangement. I am still learning and it’s in progress.
Opening up to a wider audience is exciting but it’s also messed with bitter cup of stress, it is all to overcome in own particular way but hard to learn to replace with calmness, maybe it comes with time, they say it comes… doesn’t it?
How do you see the scene evolving, and what role do you believe your music plays in that evolution?
I can definitely see the openness and warm welcome to all non-binary and LGBTQ artist in central Europe thanks to the awarness of audience. We experience too much of miscommunication and misunderstanding between people on daily basis in media and real life, I am very glad the discord vanishes when the music starts to play.
My role as a musician is to share my own experiences and create a space for compassion and support within, the interpretation of my songs might be different to everyone but the clue is to show that we are allowed to invite all sorts of emotions no matter how hurtful they seem at firts, I believe the healing starts with primary power of expression.
Share with us some of the most memorable moments in your musical journey so far.
There is not alot happening yet, I think I have a funny, yet tragic tendency to deprecate my chances to even begin a remarkable journey. [laughing] I think that being able to invent, record, arrange, mix down the album in its entirety is actually a memorable moment of self-assurance, the prove you can do anything if motivated and passionate. There is always something important to focus on and so little time to boost up, especially when mundane world breaks into the different dimension you would like to jump in.
Do you have a personal favorite among your own compositions? If so, which one and why?
The album title song of my newest release – “More than It’s Worth”, wouldn’t call it “favorite” but it has a great impact on me and is actually a kind of heavy burden. I was trying to find some peace to gather the words I couldn’t say to my father while he was gone. This is the message that was not delivered in time but spreads the rage stunned by my world turning upside down.
Technically, “Garden Gate” is one of the first song ideas I ever came up with, I was maybe 14-15. The 1st chorus lyrics sound how i invented it 20 years ago. It waited so long to have a studio debut fitting well into the scenario of this particular album, so I can say it’s my beloved adult kid.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re working on?
I plan to work on a few haunting covers arranged on funeral trumpet quarted, this idea stays with me for a long time so I guess it may work well
What does it mean to you to be a part of our compilation? How has the experience been for you?
I feel honored to be a part of the compilation set, this is a great opportunity to share some thoughts with your demanding audience as well as discover amazing artists that I am really grateful to be included between.
Is there a message you’d like to convey to your fans who will be discovering your music through this compilation?
Live and share your emotions, keep yourself opened for understanding others and being understood.
Quickfire Round
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or not, who would it be?
I would give my soul away to Nick Cave and let him model it into something beautiful with his magic.
If you had to pick one instrument (besides your primary one) to master, what would it be?
Piano, I love how emotionally spectral and intense it could be played well.
What’s your all-time favorite progressive/alternative rock album, and why? One album that you always return to.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis Morissette – it basically opened the gates to worldwide music for me and is literally responsible for encouraging me to play my first notes on guitar.
Are there non-musical influences that find their way into your music? (e.g., literature, art, science)
I do love victorian era patterns sank in gloom, as you can see on album art, I think this illustrates my music well, a little tiny border line between something disturbing and romantic, familiar and old-fashioned, dreamy and real.
Any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to share with our audience?
I would like to dedicate the newest album to all people who lost someone important in their life, kept a grief and remorse for themselfs to protect the others or just could not express their feelings. Also for everyone else who just needs to feel the vibe of empathy and release from uneasiness.
Where can our audience find more about you and your music?
You can find me on:
Bandcamp: https://spineinside.bandcamp.com/album/more-than-its-worth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spineinside/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCUrV22LGiDT8Out15q1amQ?view_as=subscriber
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3gsUqeQf7DJkgOrQFPaoUt
