2023, a year that’s been exceptional for We Shoot Music, or so we’re fervently told. Apparently, our journey has been one of “continuous growth” because nothing says success like doubling your visitors since 2021. It’s heartwarming to know that in the vast landscape of the internet, this small but growing independent website has managed to muster a devoted following – probably as devoted as a cat to its favorite scratching post.
Highlighting our success are two standout articles: “The 13 Polish Metal Bands That You Should Know” and the “Live Review of Laibach“. With almost 6000 views in 2023 alone for the 13 Polish Metal Bands, one can’t help but wonder if the internet has suddenly become a hotbed for Polish metal enthusiasts.
But let’s not forget the dissecting of the latest album from the French rock band Varsovie. It’s truly enlightening when an album like “Pression à Froid” can manage to hit all the right notes, and by right notes, I mean it’s fantastic when an album doesn’t sound like a cacophony of dying cats.
This album has undeniably been our most-played record this year. The power of “Pression à Froid” lies in its ability to create a captivating atmosphere with meaningful lyrics and come together in a well-crafted musical design.
While the majority of our visitors come from Poland, the United States ranks as a robust second. Is it a testament to our undeniable global influence? We Shoot Music is here to conquer the hearts and minds of the American people, one niche music article at a time.
With a current catalog of 59 articles, our sights are set on an accelerated pace for We Shoot Music‘s development in the coming year. 2024 will be an even more amazing year for us. Exciting prospects lie ahead as we plan to cover events like the Mystic Festival, Inside Seaside, Sea Side Music Showcase, more numerous concerts, and perhaps even the renowned Open’er festival. The objective is clear: more reviews, insights, and features on local bands. Even collaboration with them.
This year, noteworthy releases from Żurawie with “Nowa Stocznia“ that reveals a captivating evolution in their indie rock sound while maintaining their distinctive essence and delivering a spellbinding listening experience with tracks like “Hałas” “Szum” and “Największy Cień“, also Danziger with “Czy Już Zawsze Będzie Źle?“, the emerging force in Polish punk rock, and last but not least Zespół Sztylety with “Tak Bedzie Lepiej”, have captivated us, adding to the musical landscape we aim to explore.
The Mystic Festival, basking in the embrace of sunlight this year, was nothing short of amazing. And a new promising festival, Inside Seaside, filling a much-needed void for quality indoor events during the colder months, has also made its debut.
Mystic undoubtedly stands out as our most cherished memory this year, closely rivaled by Sólstafir‘s unforgettable concert last November. This marks our second consecutive year covering the festival, a marathon of concerts. As a photographer, the job is demanding, but the rewards are immense. The camaraderie with fellow photographers, the exceptional lineup of bands, impeccable organization, and, unlike in 2022, the delightful weather, all made it an exceptional experience.
We had the pleasure of discovering some exciting bands and fulfilled our long-standing desire to finally see other bands perform (again for some) like Meshuggah, Planet of Zeus, the frenchies Alcest & Gojira, Testament, Moonspell, Doodseskader, Behemoth – can you believe that we never had the opportunity to see them before? – The list is extensive, and there are too many to mention them all!
A big big thank you is in order to all the bands, artists, organizers, and staff who make our work at We Shoot Music possible. Here’s to a future filled with even more electrifying music, unforgettable festivals, and continued growth.
On a slightly negative note, our ongoing quest to connect with collaborators who share a genuine passion for concerts and music remains a challenge. However, we believe that 2024 will be the year of big changes for We Shoot Music. A new hope. We have a good feeling about it, that the force of optimism is strong, and we’ll see a triumphant conclusion to our search for passionate collaborators.
May the music be with us as we navigate the challenges ahead.
Cheers to a future filled with electrifying music, unforgettable festivals, and continued growth in the land of digital musical prowess.
Happy New Year to all and see you around!
