We talk to Grzegorz Demiańczuk of Catz ‘n Dogz about escaping the algorithms and making their most human album, Finally.
After more than 20 years making electronic music, Polish house outfit Catz ‘n Dogz decided to switch up their routine after Grzegorz Demiańczuk and Voitek Tarańczuk found themselves overthinking their creative approach and obsessing over trends and AI algorithms. For their eighth album, Finally, the duo decided to slow down, focus on the songwriting and make genuine connections with collaborators wherever possible. We spoke to Greg about letting go of pressure, grabbing hold of happy accidents, and what two decades together has taught them about their partnership.
Attack: You mentioned that last year you got “stuck”. When did you first realise?
Grzegorz Demiańczuk: Honestly, day to day it just looked like us overthinking absolutely everything we were making. We caught ourselves obsessing over social media and constantly chasing whatever new trend was popping up. It’s tough because the industry right now is so heavily driven by algorithms and metrics and – just like everyone else – we were completely overstimulated by the sheer volume of content, AI and the endless scrolling. It was exhausting and pulling us away from the music itself.
How did you find the balance between staying connected to your audience and obsessing over those things you mention?
It all came down to focusing on genuine human connection and the music itself. When you prioritise real inspiration over numbers, you stop worrying about chasing the latest trend. For us, stepping back meant looking for inspiration in real life and building spaces where people can actually connect on the dance floor – bridging generations instead of staring at screens.
You’ve spoken about wanting to create special moments in a world of disposable art. What makes Finally a record people can really connect with?
We wanted this album to feel like a postcard from the summer, like that feeling you get on a cloudy day when the sun suddenly comes out. It’s full of positive nostalgia. We also really focused on the physical media aspect, releasing it on vinyl and cassette, because we wanted it to be a fully conceptual album where the music, the art, the graphics, and the story all tie together. It’s meant for those moments when you just want to press play, slow down and feel something real.
Achieving that balance sounds simple on paper, but what did you have to give up or unlearn to get there?
It definitely wasn’t easy. People love to put you on a specific shelf and, to be honest, it’s definitely easier to just follow a trend and be consistent. But we want to be versatile, explore and just play with the music – we’ve even changed our name in the past to keep evolving. Our main goal is simply to make people happy, make them dance, keep things curious and have fun with it rather than constantly trying to prove ourselves or stick to one strict sound. We love to take risks as part of the creative process.
When it came to actually making the music, what techniques did you use to stop yourself falling into old patterns?
It was less about new gear and more about bringing in new energy. We started working heavily with other people, live instrumentalists, vocalists and friends who are into completely different styles of music. Bringing in local musicians to record live instruments or piano added an amazing organic layer. Collaborating like that forces you to learn new production techniques and keeps you from falling back on the same old studio habits. We learned so much and loved doing it.
The track ‘One Day’ arrived while you were driving to the studio and had to pull over to write the lyrics down. Was that a more intuitive way of working for you, and did other ideas come the same way?
Definitely. We work very intuitively and get inspired in so many various places, usually when we travel. When you’re on the road as much as we are, your studio literally becomes your laptop in an airport terminal or hotel room. The ideas come when they come and you just have to catch them, like pulling over in the car just to get those lyrics down before they disappear.
‘Be Mine’ hides a reggaeton rhythm under a house framework. Apparently, you went back to the first draft after ten versions, so what got lost along the way?
We basically wanted to see what Catz ‘n Dogz would sound like making reggaeton [smiles], but after overthinking it and going through ten different versions, we realised it was losing its raw, fun energy. The first draft was the best simply because we weren’t overthinking it. It’s just a fun track to dance to in your socks at home, and we added that emotional breakdown at the end to keep the album’s balance of happiness and self-reflection.
You have a rich cast of vocalists on the LP. Did any of those collaborations surprise you more than expected?
The New York studio time was completely unexpected and magical. We were only supposed to be there for a week, but a massive snowstorm shut down the entire city and closed the airports. We ended up locked in this amazing studio with Ajii and Luisa Wilson. The atmosphere was incredible and blending our electronic world with their deep, soulful music experience gave us results we never could have planned for.
[quote align=right text=”We work very intuitively and get inspired in so many various places, usually when we travel”]
You chose to work in person wherever possible. What does a room of people give you that a file transfer can’t?
Pure inspiration. You can learn a lot just by being in the same room and watching someone else’s approach. When you’re physically together, you get much better results and don’t overthink things as much. For example, with Ajii, having him in the room meant we could just strip the music away and have him sing a cappella, which completely changed the direction of the track into something so unique. You just can’t get that spontaneous magic over email.
For the video for ‘Take the Night’, you threw a party at a senior care home with Dancing Międzypokoleniowy. How did the idea come about, and what made it right for that song?
We’ve known Paulina from Dancing Międzypokoleniowy for years and really wanted to touch on the issue of older generations experiencing loneliness in Poland. The song is so upbeat, and we wanted the visual to be about the simple, pure joy of dancing, proving that age really is just a number and that you can build a community free from stereotypes.
What was the day itself like?
It was incredibly uplifting and felt so warm and authentic; we captured everything on an analogue video camera and took photos with an old Japanese camera. It gave the whole day this beautifully nostalgic, raw feeling, and seeing the seniors letting go and having the best time dancing was really special.
These days, you’re putting more time into Pride in Poland and your About Us project rather than chasing relevance. What does that work give back to you?
It’s all about giving back to the people and the community. Poland is very cool and there is such a great atmosphere and an incredible pool of talented artists in Warsaw right now. Through About Us, we want to defend diversity and create a safe space, bringing together the LGBTQ+ scene and donating profits to fight for equality.
After more than 20 years together, how has your partnership changed, and what do you each bring that the other doesn’t?
We’re totally different people, but that’s exactly why we complete each other. Over the years, we’ve developed this deep non-verbal communication and have our own feel for the crowd and our own way of reading energy. But at the core of it, our partnership survives because of an immense amount of mutual respect. We just let each other do what we do best.
What do you know now that you wish you could tell your younger selves?
Just not to be afraid or worry so much. Twenty years ago, we were fuelled by non-stop adrenaline, constantly trying to prove ourselves and establish our sound. Now, we feel the freedom to just be vulnerable and focus on the community. I’d tell my younger self to let go of the pressure, stop overthinking and enjoy the ride.
Catz ‘n Dogz’s Finally is out now. Listen on Spotify.
Find them on Instagram and Bandcamp.
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