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Raftside (Filip Markiewicz) was born in 1980. He started his solo career as Raftside at 19, recording his first demo-tape by the age of 20. His first album, a limited edition, was called ‘Antistar’. In 2005 he followed up with a self produced album ‘The Desperate Life of Johnny Sunshine’. In 2007 he released his last LP ‘Opinion Lieder’ which included the single ‘A flower for the mood’. The video for which, directed by Sandy Lorente and Jeff Kieffer, reached number one in the Luxemburgish Planet RTL charts. It was also selected for the Canadian Indie Music Video Festival. www.imvf.com.

He started as a solo performer and shared the stage with the likes of Broken Social Scene, Joseph Arthur, The Wedding Present and The Organ. Nowadays he plays with a three piece band; Antoine Lejeune, Julien Camus and Freddy Museur.

How did you get started?
I went to the Lou Reed show in Differdange in the late 90’s that made me realise that I wanted to do the same job as him. After the gig I had the honour to exchange a few words with him, and he told me that “it’s was really weird to play a show in a sports-hall in Luxembourg but that, that is what makes the job so beautiful…” I guess he was being ironic!

What ingredients do you need to mix together to produce the recipe of your sound?
I think a mixture of champagne & a love affair produce the best sounds from me…  (She’ll know herself!)

Did your first gig make you hungry for more?
Oh kind of, yeah… Even though my first gig was definitely terrible for the audience… I had a great moment. After a few years some people told me that they liked my music. So maybe it was a good choice to continue… Honestly, though sometimes I hate being on stage… sometimes I’d just like to be a normal person like you are… just a simple Raftside groupie… (Laughs)

What’s the biggest ‘cock up’ to date?
It was definitely when I opened for Broken Social Scene at the Kulturfabrik in 2003…  after my own set, I did a cover of the Pixies’ ‘Where is my mind’ and during the song the whole BSS band came on stage and joined me…  that was a real asskicking moment, better than sex! Another story, maybe more funny, was watching Brian Molko totally drunk hitting a taxi cab on rue de Hollerich (Luxembourg Ville) after the Placebo aftershowparty at the Marx (Atelier organisers will certainly remember). I had also asked Mr. Molko to sign the sleeve of my Placebo album; he refused telling me that it would be too “social”… I never understood and thought “what an ass”. Yet, I still like their music.

What is it that inspires you to make your music/sound?
Every human relationship, strange interesting people… love affairs, nightlife experiences, colourful dreams or trips, paintings, desperate youth… love stories that have killed me!

What would be the icing on the cake?
Dunno.. maybe a band like Placebo, after all the hype… having them as an opener for a Raftside gig… I make a promise to Brian that I would join him on stage to do a Pixies cover. I always believed Dylan was right: The times they’re changing..

How will you be remembered? (what will make you vintage?)
As the one who will play a Pixies cover with Brian Molko… (laughs)

Describe your music as if it were a fine wine?
Naked, bloody and deeply in love…

AfterMint! Does your musical style influence your underwear?
I guess my musical style influenced one of my ex-girlfriend’s underwear… every time we met she didn’t wear any…

Digestive! What is about Luxembourg that keeps you here?
I don’t know, it’s really a strange country. I have a love/hate relationship with it, maybe it’s this that makes it exciting and I stay!.

More info: www.myspace.com/raftside333

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