Antony Szmierek has already built up a healthy reputation as one of the hottest names to watch in UK music, but as he prepares to start showing us his debut album proper, he never thought it would take him to a Transylvanian castle.
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Antony Szmierek has already built up a healthy reputation as one of the hottest names to watch in UK music, but as he prepares to start showing us his debut album proper, he never thought it would take him to a Transylvanian castle. Dive in with our DORK x ELECTRIC CASTLE festival guide cover feature.
Words: Stephen Ackroyd.
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In the sweltering heat of a British summer, while most of us are dreaming of exotic getaways, Antony Szmierek is gearing up for a musical adventure that's anything but ordinary. The Manchester-based artist, who has rapidly ascended from classroom teacher to BBC 6 Music darling, is set to perform at Electric Castle, Romania's mythical music festival nestled in the heart of Transylvania.
As Szmierek prepares to join an eclectic lineup featuring heavyweights like Massive Attack and Bring Me the Horizon, he's taking a rare moment to catch his breath. "I've not been home much in July, so I'm doing normal things while I am, like getting my haircut. Might even cook my own food later," he shares, painting a picture of an artist trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy amidst a whirlwind year.
The journey from classroom to castle stage has been nothing short of transformative. Reflecting on his newfound lifestyle, he muses, "I spend a lot of my time abroad thinking, 'This is so great that this is my job; I could so easily still be in a hot classroom teaching Year 9 right now'." This sense of gratitude permeates Szmierek's approach to his burgeoning career, even as he navigates the challenges of life on the road.
2024 has been a year of relentless momentum. "It's been really busy," he admits. "It could have been a quiet period as I went away and wrote the album, but it's just kept rolling on. I had these two special additional shows from the November tour at New Century Hall and Lafayette and have just been fully immersed in festival season." For Szmierek, these live performances are more than just tour dates. "I sort of need the live shows between all the studio and promo stuff; they feel like a reward," he reflects.
