Quidam Biography
Hailing from Poland, the neo-prog group Quidam released its first album in 1996 and quickly won both specialized press and audiences over. The angelic voice of singer Emila Derkowska and the group's ample use of flute in its arrangements secured it a respectable place alongside Collage and Abraxas in what has been called the ‘90s Polish contingent of neo-proggers.
In 1991, guitarist Maciek Meller, bassist Radek Scholl and drummer Rafal Jermakow, then all 18 and 19 years old, formed the hard rock/blues trio Deep River and began to play bars all around Poland. They were soon joined by keyboardist Zbyszek Florek and cycled through a number of singers until they found Emila Derkowska in 1993. The arrival of flutist Ewa Smarzynska provided the impetus to shift the musical direction toward a more symphonic sound. Songs grew slightly more complex but the group still wanted to appeal to wide audiences and thus the music developed around the neo-prog axis of IQ, Camel and late-period Pink Floyd. At this point the name was changed to Quidam, a Latin word meaning "someone" but here making specific reference to a poem by Kamil Norwid.
Quidam's live shows, fronted by the charismatic Derkowska, gained local fame. In April 1996, at the first festival of Polish Prog Rock, the group unveiled its eponymous debut, featuring its now classic tracks "Sanktuarium" and "Ptone." Released by the local label Ars Mundi, the album slowly trickled out of Poland and garnered favorable reviews. It featured guest appearances and songwriting credits from members of Collage. The group made its first international appearance in Holland in January 1997, building a following there and in France. Two nights in April that same year, Derkowska and Smarzynska were invited to perform the overture of Harbour of Tears on stage with Camel. Three months later the group performed at the festival ProgLive ‘97 in Corbigny (France).
In early 1998 Smarzynska called it quits and was replaced by Jacek Zasada, only weeks before the recording sessions for Sny Aniolow started. The album was released by Rock-Serwis in Poland and Musea in France, the latter under the title Angels' Dreams with re-recorded English vocals. Despite a more pop-oriented sound the specialized press remained very encouraging and in March of 1999 Quidam made its first overseas trip to headline the third Baja Prog festival in Mexicali, Mexico. Meanwhile, the relationship between Quidam and Camel developed in unexpected ways as bassist Colin Bass hired the group to open for him and back him up during his European tour promoting his solo album Outcast of the Islands.
Things slowed down for the next two years as the group prepared its third studio album, performing live only sparsely in Europe. Pod Niebem Czas came out in March 2002 on Rock-Serwis and three months later on Musea under the title The Time Beneath the Sky (although the vocals were not re-recorded this time). ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Leather strip Biography: Leæther Strip's aggressive, mostly electronic industrial recordings -- for Zoth Ommog Records in Germany and Cleopatra in the States -- are the work of one Claus Larsen (b. Nov. 13, 1967), a...
Anathema Biography: While Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride got more attention from underground doom metal fans, Liverpool natives Anathema were just as important in creating a new strain of doom (sometimes referred to...
Steps ahead Biography: Originally called Steps when it was formed in 1979 by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, this group at various times has included tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker; keyboardists Don Grolnick,...
Puppini sisters Biography: Modernizing the harmony vocal pop of '30s and '40s groups like the Andrews Sisters, London's Puppini Sisters took the name of Marcella Puppini, who founded the act after being inspired by the music...
Necrophobic Biography: Necrophobic was a Swedish death metal band formed in 1989 by drummer Joakim Sterner and guitarist David Parland. The pair played with a revolving-door lineup of musicians before the permanent...
Japan Biography: Japan's evolution from rather humble glam rock beginnings into stylish synth pop (and beyond) made the British group one of the more intriguing and successful artists of their era. Formed in London...
Citizen cope Biography: Citizen Cope is both a person (Clarence Greenwood) and a band. Born in Memphis, Greenwood is obviously the leader of the group, as he plays the keyboard, guitar, sings, and acts as a DJ, songwriter,...
Mago de oz Biography: Spanish experimental heavy metal band Mago de Oz was formed in 1989. Three years later, the group became one of the finalists at Rock de Villa de Madrid's contest. In 1994, the six-piece act...