27/04: Bacon, Eggs, Breaks and Perestroika
Way to Russia presents the new feature: interviews with artists, musicians, and writers related to Russia. It follows the original idea of the Russian People interviews, which we've done over the last few years, but this time it's not random people in focus :-)
This first interview is with Vlad Sokolov, dj and producer, the founder of Sokolov Sounds breaks music label. He's currently based in London performing in various city's venues as well running his own weekly radio show. You can hear some tunes from the recent Perestroika album on Vlad's MySpace page.
1. The name of your new album is Perestroika and your name is Vlad Sokolov (very Russian). What kind of connection do you have to Russia?
Well my full name is of course Vladimir, quite obviously, and yes, the roots are totally Russian, actually Ukrainian to be precise. My granddad was from Otchakov I think it is either close to Odessa or Novorosijsk, that’s where my geography fails me miserably I’m afraid. After the first war and the revolution he, somehow, ended up in Serbia, and that is how it all began…
2. Do you think that the music has something "Russian" in it?
I’d love to say that it has, but it is dance music after all, and the whole genre was conceived in US, however now days it seams to be rather global phenomenon, it becomes more like a big feeling once you’re into it. I guess the only “Russian” component in my music is me, since I am the one who is making it.
In the same time there is so much good dance music coming out of Russia at present and so far I haven’t heard any samples of Balalika in any of those…….. yet ;)
3. What is your inspiration?
My inspiration has always been that same one feeling I had when I first ended in a “rave”, years ago. It’s that buzz that huge number of people form together while following the same beat. Feeling the same emotion, and celebrating it there and then. It is something that will never fade I think. Once you feel it, it stays there. As a DJ and producer, that is what I’m looking for, whether in the studio making music or in front of the crowd dj-ing. It is that buzz you want to give back and keep the wheel spinning.
4. What do you think about the Breaks scene in London? Where is it at and where is it going?
Breaks as a scene and as genre in general, is something that I’ve never seen just as simple as that. Personally, I always thought of it as a state of mind you know, which is the only way that can explain its nature. Breaks have been out there all these years and always with solid steady progress, each year recruiting more new people with new ideas. What is so interesting about all these people is the fact that most of them come from another type of dance music (house, techno, dnb, garage, electro…etc), all looking for a change and more freedom of expression. That is exactly what keeps Breaks evolving and staying fresh all the time. It is made and run by people who do not slave to the clichés and have always something new to say, as well as bringing their background in to play, obviously in the whole new form.
So yes, I could say Breaks scene in London and UK in fact, is as strong as ever, and it keeps evolving and pushing forward. Where is it going? I’m not sure if I want to know actually, following its nature and the history so far, surely somewhere nice.
5. Have you ever been to Russia? If not, what image of the country do you have?
I am quite ashamed about this, but sadly I have never been to Russia. My whole family has been there and most of my relatives from Odessa have been visiting throughout the years, and I am the only one who has never done it. Hopefully soon enough I’ll have a chance. The image of the country is the mixture of reality described to me by my relatives and the history and literature that I have studied in my student days. I am sure it is very easy to dream up a classic Tolstoy picture, with unimaginable wealth and vast space, but we all know that would be far too unrealistic after all the years and events that have blown over Russia. Still one thing remains, we Slavs, are warm natured people and that surely makes half of the image doesn’t it?
6. Where can we hear your music?
Well, obviously my gigs are the place where my music comes to it’s full power, but since I am not playing in Russia at the moment, the best place to catch my beats would be Sokolov Sounds radio show which is every second Sunday 6-8 PM on www.ibreaks.co.uk, also there are always few tunes on myspace page
( www.myspace.com/vladsokolov ) and of course my Album “Perestroika”, digital and hard copy, is available in most of the major internet shops and download sites
( www.bleep.com , Juno, beatport etc)
7. If you had to describe your music in images or sensations, what would it be?
Bacon and eggs
8. What's your favorite stuff?
Bacon and eggs
Learn more about Vlad Sokolov and listen to his music:
Vlad Sokolov MySpace page
Sokolov Sounds website
This first interview is with Vlad Sokolov, dj and producer, the founder of Sokolov Sounds breaks music label. He's currently based in London performing in various city's venues as well running his own weekly radio show. You can hear some tunes from the recent Perestroika album on Vlad's MySpace page.
1. The name of your new album is Perestroika and your name is Vlad Sokolov (very Russian). What kind of connection do you have to Russia?
Well my full name is of course Vladimir, quite obviously, and yes, the roots are totally Russian, actually Ukrainian to be precise. My granddad was from Otchakov I think it is either close to Odessa or Novorosijsk, that’s where my geography fails me miserably I’m afraid. After the first war and the revolution he, somehow, ended up in Serbia, and that is how it all began…
2. Do you think that the music has something "Russian" in it?
I’d love to say that it has, but it is dance music after all, and the whole genre was conceived in US, however now days it seams to be rather global phenomenon, it becomes more like a big feeling once you’re into it. I guess the only “Russian” component in my music is me, since I am the one who is making it.
In the same time there is so much good dance music coming out of Russia at present and so far I haven’t heard any samples of Balalika in any of those…….. yet ;)
3. What is your inspiration?
My inspiration has always been that same one feeling I had when I first ended in a “rave”, years ago. It’s that buzz that huge number of people form together while following the same beat. Feeling the same emotion, and celebrating it there and then. It is something that will never fade I think. Once you feel it, it stays there. As a DJ and producer, that is what I’m looking for, whether in the studio making music or in front of the crowd dj-ing. It is that buzz you want to give back and keep the wheel spinning.
4. What do you think about the Breaks scene in London? Where is it at and where is it going?
Breaks as a scene and as genre in general, is something that I’ve never seen just as simple as that. Personally, I always thought of it as a state of mind you know, which is the only way that can explain its nature. Breaks have been out there all these years and always with solid steady progress, each year recruiting more new people with new ideas. What is so interesting about all these people is the fact that most of them come from another type of dance music (house, techno, dnb, garage, electro…etc), all looking for a change and more freedom of expression. That is exactly what keeps Breaks evolving and staying fresh all the time. It is made and run by people who do not slave to the clichés and have always something new to say, as well as bringing their background in to play, obviously in the whole new form.
So yes, I could say Breaks scene in London and UK in fact, is as strong as ever, and it keeps evolving and pushing forward. Where is it going? I’m not sure if I want to know actually, following its nature and the history so far, surely somewhere nice.
5. Have you ever been to Russia? If not, what image of the country do you have?
I am quite ashamed about this, but sadly I have never been to Russia. My whole family has been there and most of my relatives from Odessa have been visiting throughout the years, and I am the only one who has never done it. Hopefully soon enough I’ll have a chance. The image of the country is the mixture of reality described to me by my relatives and the history and literature that I have studied in my student days. I am sure it is very easy to dream up a classic Tolstoy picture, with unimaginable wealth and vast space, but we all know that would be far too unrealistic after all the years and events that have blown over Russia. Still one thing remains, we Slavs, are warm natured people and that surely makes half of the image doesn’t it?
6. Where can we hear your music?
Well, obviously my gigs are the place where my music comes to it’s full power, but since I am not playing in Russia at the moment, the best place to catch my beats would be Sokolov Sounds radio show which is every second Sunday 6-8 PM on www.ibreaks.co.uk, also there are always few tunes on myspace page
( www.myspace.com/vladsokolov ) and of course my Album “Perestroika”, digital and hard copy, is available in most of the major internet shops and download sites
( www.bleep.com , Juno, beatport etc)
7. If you had to describe your music in images or sensations, what would it be?
Bacon and eggs
8. What's your favorite stuff?
Bacon and eggs
Learn more about Vlad Sokolov and listen to his music:
Vlad Sokolov MySpace page
Sokolov Sounds website
Total Votes: 3 - Rating: 1.67
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