| Karol Gwóźdź | |||||||
| Alias: | Nail | ||||||
| Birth Date: | 1987 4, df=y | ||||||
| Birth Place: | Katowice / Silesia, Poland | ||||||
| Label: | Psychonavigation Records, Dominance Electricity | ||||||
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Karol Gwóźdź (in Polish ˈkarɔl ɡvuɕt͡ɕ/; born 2 April 1987 in Katowice) is a Silesian poet, writer, graphic designer, photographer, DJ, musician and producer of ambient and electronic music, also known as Nail (gwóźdź is Polish for nail).[1] Promoter of Silesianness and Upper Silesian symbolism.[2] [3]
He was born in 1987 in Katowice, but since birth he is living in Siemianowice Śląskie, with which he is emotionally and generationally connected.[4] He graduated the 5th Secondary School in the Sports School Complex in Siemianowice Śląskie in 2006[5] and completed majors: advertising organization and phototechnics.[6] [7]
Gwóźdź is a versatile artist, he is best known of the musical and literary spheres. He writes practically entirely in Silesian language, using Steuer's Silesian alphabet, although he occasionally also writes in Polish.[8] Initially, he published in local newspapers, later also on the Silesian portal Wachtyrz.eu. He often emphasized that Silesianness need a change image to more modern, and himself as a writer, he proposed a neologism: mobilńok (en. mobile phone).[9] He used to be a juror in literary competitions.[10]
Although he is a photographer by education, professionally works as a graphic designer, designing e.g. ephemeras, brochures, books or logos; he collaborated among others with Ruch Chorzów for which he redesigned the club's crest for its second centenary, designed Adler (the club mascot), a captain's armband in the Upper Silesian colors, created a lot of badges, enamel pins and many other products, including several books.[11] [12]
He made his debut in 2005 with the poem "Uůna" (en. She) in Gazeta Wyborcza and becoming a laureate of the first edition of the Bończyk Poetry Contest in Ruda Śląska.[13] In 2010, was published his first book of poetry "Myśli ukryte" (en. Hidden thoughts),[14] which includes "Hymn Norodu Ślůnskjygo" (en. Anthem of Silesian Nation), one of the most popular Silesian poem, whose manuscript is in the Public Library in Siemianowice Śląskie.[15] In 2022 he enriched the anthology "Siemianowice, kere pamiyntomy" with the short story called "Za bajtla na Bytkowje..." (en. Childhood in Bytków), which is embellished with the so-called "mazuration", a rare linguistic feature of the speech of the native inhabitants of Siemianowice Śląskie.[16]
He began to enter the world of music in his early childhood, and over time, through his fascination with breakdance and dancing electric boogie, he discovered himself in electronic music.[17] [18] He started his DJ career at the age of 17, performing under the pseudonym Nail, mixing mainly electro, techno and breakbeat music, initially playing in legendary clubs in Silesia, and a little later already performing all around Poland.In 2012 he released his debut ambient album "Tamte Czasy", from which comes "Gůrnoślůnske Tragedyje", a track used in the movie Beat Girl.[19] In 2019 he released his first electro vinyl "Revelation" on the German label Dominance Electricity, classified according to the British record store Bleep, in the annual 20 Best Electro & Acid 12"s of 2019, as one of the best singles of 2019.[20]
He was also the author of the event series Sex with the Machines and Zicherungi, taking place in the legendary INQbator Club in Katowice.
He is a declared Catholic and a supporter of Ruch Chorzów.[21] He identifies himself as a representative of Silesian nationality.[22] Involved in social causes, he has participated in charity actions for animals.[23]