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Rating: Antwerp is a magnificent city. And Belgium (even though for many it only brings to mind seafood, clouds, and French jokes) is an extraordinary country. Especially in terms of music. That's why this tribute, this "Antwerp Special," was created. Since the early '90s, around (but also parallelly to) dEUS, an incredibly creative and high-quality music scene has developed in and around Antwerp. This series of interviews is dedicated to the main figures of that scene....
Mauro Pawlowski seems more Slav than Belgian, he has the air of a Croatian wanderer. Those very fine mustaches only add a mysterious anachronistic aura to his figure. He arrives in Italy once again, this time for the much-awaited dEUS tour. In Rimini, he confesses to being a huge Prince fan, in Rome he says they always have a bottle of single malt whisky on tour, and in Milan, outside a club with a funny name, he braves the cold to take on the 5 questions.
1) To begin, introduce yourself: what should the Italian audience know about Mauro Pawlowski?
My name is Mauro Pawlowski, full name Mauro Antonio Pawlowski. I am a professional musician. Currently, I play with dEUS and have done a lot of other things in the past. I've played in top 40 bands, played at weddings, on cruises - doing Barry White covers, which I like - and then I formed some bands, some of which are: Evil Superstars, Mauro & The Grooms, Monguito, The Love Substitutes, I play drums with them. Somnabula is something I did alone, but The Love Substitutes is with the other two guitarists from dEUS, Rudy Trouvé and Craig Ward. And I do a lot of other things...
2) Since the early '90s, the Belgian and Antwerp scene has been very lively: dEUS, Evil Superstars, Dead Man Ray... What was it like to be there and live it actively?
It was great, excellent times. It all started from nothing, like all good things I guess, but it was truly fantastic.
3) You started with Evil Superstars and dEUS almost christened you: I remember seeing you on television, you had won a contest and dEUS were already famous. Now you play with dEUS: how is it?
We supported dEUS many times back then, even during their first European tour they chose us as their support band. We were good friends, it was the mid '90s and we were part of the Belgian "rock boom," we played together a lot of times. At the same time, they are good friends and I respect them, just like the friends from Evil Superstars who are now the Millionaire (T. B.: and who are now very drunk, inside that venue!) ... I know! I'm on the right track too, I must admit, sorry (laughs).
4) If you could form a super band with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be?
Actually, it would just be a duo. Like the White Stripes. It would be me and John Bonham. And of course, he would be Meg, the bitch (laughs).
5) Last question. Your future projects: Mauro & The Grooms, Somnabula, The Love Substitutes, dEUS... what else will you do?
I'm writing for an ensemble of classical music. A suite for a choir and... no, I'm not kidding you, not quite the same type of classical music as Roger Waters... I also play with some jazz musicians, I have an improvisation trio with two other talented young musicians. Young… they're my age, 34. I'm a very experimental musician, although not very "open-minded," there's a certain difference. The new Love Substitutes album will be out soon, December or January. In January, we will play in England, in Glasgow and London. Craig called me today to tell me.
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