01

It all depends on our commitments with family and other bands. We don't have a straightforward routine: Alps, our first record, was released in 2010, and the next one―Calendar―came out in 2012. So really, it was the same two-year break back then. I don't know why, but it was also more challenging to get back to work during the pandemic.

It’s been almost two years between Before The Road and your last album, Many Nights. It was your longest break between releases―was there anything that affected your operation?

03

There's always something going on around us, whether it’s 2008 or now. As for the dance aspect—yes, there is more of that than before, though not on every song.

Before The Road feels quite dancey; I’ve not heard this much ‘fun’ in your music in more than 6 years. Was it an attempt to escape from what was going on around you?

02

That was the case when we were signed; now, we can engage with our projects as we will.

I thought Motorama was always a priority over your other projects―Utro, Leto V Gorode, or ТЭЦ(TEZ).

04

I always wanted to have as much personal control in the band as I could. Being a part of a label has its benefits, but there are also nuances; in our case, it was mostly money. We have a lot more freedom with it now when working without a label, especially in this new era. In 2019 we had a feeling that something’s about to change. Suddenly, the name of our label ‘I'm Home Records", which we came up with before the pandemic and lockdowns, took a whole new meaning.

In old interviews, you often describe your former label as a very open and friendly place. Why did you decide to go independent?

06

Right now, we don’t do much in that aspect, just digital distribution. There might be vinyl releases someday, but at the moment, it doesn't make sense for us; our core audience doesn't have the means to buy records.

As an independent entity, how do you work in terms of promotion? Most of the time, labels are valued for their networking opportunities.

08

That depends on artists’ needs, and for us, they are not very high. We make just enough for now.

Many artists say that streaming is their ad for merch and concerts, as those two bring most of the income. Is it possible for you to make enough money off of streaming?

07

It’s a part of the concept, but really, we can do without it.

You still make a lot of merch, though. Or is it for yourself rather than to make money?

05

That Utro and Motorama are going home. Before that, they almost got lost in Bordeaux, France.

And what did it mean initially?

09

Early in the morning, I send out my hounds to look for the videos. By evening, there’s always a few links lying under my door.

Recently, you returned to your music blog called “Zdeshnie Pesni.” It feels much more active now than before; how do you find material for it?

10

I breed them in an underground lab under our studio.

What’s your hounds’ breed?

12

We had new-school rappers sending their tracks; I just pretended I’m not home. I don’t take this blog too seriously; it’s something I can pick up and then drop for a few months just as easily. I'm waiting for a new music digger to appear on the scene, and then "Zdeshnie Pesni" won’t be needed.

Do you mean there are certain rules to appear in your blog? Is there any genre that is unlikely to be published?

11

Everything is possible, though it’s unlikely you’ll see any ten-minute progressive trance and happy hardcore tracks in "Zdeshnie Pesni.”

I noticed a lot more electronic music in your blog lately. Can we expect an electronic release from you?

13

Initially, it was a way for us to rediscover different rarities and forgotten songs and share them with friends. Then we made it available for everyone. For me, it doesn’t have much to do with the concepts. It’s not about bringing attention, it’s much rather a place for people ‘in the know.’

This reminds me of ТЭЦ and Utro, and how much the Soviet and Old Russian art influences their identity. Is it easier for you to represent yourself through something familiar, or do you use the blog to bring more attention to the art form?

14

I hope we make it for people who read this interview and maybe a few others.

With that said, who do you make your music for?