Interviews About Albums: ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ - Living Room Rockstar (2025)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Polish Rock artist ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ to ask questions about his album, "Living Room Rockstar".

1. What can you say about this new CD?

"Living Room Rockstar - Part 1" is my most personal work to date. It's a collection of 10 tracks that blend hard rock energy with introspective storytelling, all created in my home studio. I wanted to create an album that proves you don't need expensive equipment or fancy studios to make authentic music—sometimes the most honest art emerges from our most personal spaces. Each song explores different facets of my experience, from navigating life as an adult on the autism spectrum to processing our complex world. The album moves between aggressive guitar-driven tracks like "Rules of Chaos" and more melodic moments like "When Hearts Collide."

2. What is the meaning of the CD name?

The title "Living Room Rockstar" embraces the contradiction of creating powerful rock music in an intimate, domestic setting. As an adult with autism diagnosed later in life, traditional performance spaces often felt overwhelming and inaccessible. My living room became my sanctuary, my classroom, and ultimately my stage. The name celebrates the idea that authentic expression doesn't need external validation or conventional venues—every room can become a stage when filled with genuine passion. It's also about finding your voice wherever you are, using whatever tools you have available.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD?

I composed all the music and lyrics for the album, handling the guitar parts, etc. However, the album wouldn't be what it is without Patryk Szymanski's incredible bass work. Our musical collaboration has evolved into a unique conversation between instruments. While I might be the primary composer, Patryk's contributions shaped these songs in profound ways. That's the beauty of collaboration—it transforms initial ideas into something neither musician could have created alone.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

If I had to choose just one, it would be "Path Less Taken." As the album opener, it sets the tone for the entire journey and directly addresses my experience of navigating the world differently. Inspired by Robert Frost's poem, it explores the challenges and rewards of following your authentic path rather than conforming to expectations. The line "I took the path less taken, where the unknown calls my name" captures that moment of embracing neurodiversity as a strength rather than something to mask or overcome. It's become something of a personal anthem.

5. Is there a special message in this CD? If there is what is it?

The album carries several interconnected messages, but the central theme is authenticity. As someone diagnosed with autism in adulthood, I've spent years trying to fit into neurotypical expectations before realizing the power of embracing my unique perspective. "Living Room Rockstar" is about finding strength in your differences, creating meaningful art from personal spaces, and recognizing that diverse neurological experiences enrich our collective understanding. I hope listeners find encouragement to embrace their own authentic voices, whatever form that takes.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

From "Path Less Taken": "If I return, it won't be the same, for the road has changed me, given me a name. Every bend, every choice I've made, built the life I wouldn't trade."

These lines capture the transformative nature of embracing your authentic self. Once you've acknowledged and accepted your true nature—whether that's neurodivergence or any other aspect of identity—there's no going back to masking or pretending. The journey changes you fundamentally, and while it may have been challenging, it creates a life of genuine meaning.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Musically, this album draws from classic hard rock while incorporating modern production approaches. But the deepest inspirations came from personal experiences—my late-in-life autism diagnosis provided context for lifelong feelings of difference and helped transform those experiences into art. I'm especially grateful to my wife Shereen for her unwavering support and understanding through this journey of self-discovery. Patryk Szymanski's bass work and creative input elevated these songs beyond what I initially imagined. And I'm thankful to the neurodivergent community who shares their stories and reminds me that different minds create different music—and that's exactly as it should be.

8. Something to add?

I hope "Living Room Rockstar" resonates with anyone who's ever felt like an outsider or struggled to find their place. Creating this album taught me that limitations often become our greatest creative assets—my home studio constraints pushed me to find innovative solutions, just as my neurodivergent mind offers unique perspectives on music and life. The album title isn't just about making rock music in a living room; it's about claiming the right to create and express yourself authentically wherever you are. Every room can be a stage when filled with genuine passion and purpose.