— What do concerts like “Super Disco of the 90s” mean to you? What emotions do they give you?
— Such concerts, above all, provide motivation and a sea of u200bu200bpositive energy. It’s a huge platform with thousands of people singing the same hits with you that evoke nostalgia. This is tremendous energy, indescribable emotions, a buzz! Also an opportunity to meet old acquaintances, friends and colleagues. Busy tour schedules and constant creative pursuits take up almost all my time, so the moments of such meetings are priceless.
— What are your expectations from the concert? Do your feelings about performance expectations change over the years?
— You know, in all these years of performing in any venue, the feeling before going on stage has never changed. So, what can be expected when you go to do what you love for an audience of thousands? Of course, there is excitement, but when you find yourself in this cycle of emotions, light and music, it is as if you change and every audience in the hall becomes a part of you.
— Is each “90s Super Disco” so different from the previous ones?
“I don’t even know what to say, if you start to remember, there is a kaleidoscope scene before my eyes. Each one is cool and unusual in its own way, and kids choose different themes for each year. I remember I was once the Little Mermaid.
— This year the concert is “Back to the Future!” It will be carried out with the slogan. Adapted from Robert Zemeckis’ trilogy. If you had a time machine, would you want to go back to the early 2000s and change some things?
– This is a tricky question. If I were in the early 2000s again, I would change almost nothing about myself. If I had known some circumstances in advance, perhaps I would not have tied my life to some people. But that’s what life is for, gaining experience. You cannot return to the past with a store of knowledge, because this adrenaline will no longer be there and in general it will no longer be your life.
— Are you preparing a new choreography program and costumes for “Super Disco”?
— Of course, we prepare for each concert separately. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this. Because I’m moody, actually choosing and finding a costume is a huge task. (laughs). And the national concert program must of course be approved in advance. Time is short but there is a lot to do! And this work also involves many people, from light workers to able-bodied people. What we have done can be seen from the reaction of the people in the room, it is clearly positive. (Smiling).
— Do you decide what and how you will perform, or does the “Superdisco” management put forward its own demands? How does the number approval process work?
— The program is selected according to time and subject criteria. Of course, we need the hits of the 90s, which thousands of people come to listen to here. No one has any disagreements – all artists know their repertoire, what the public will like at a particular event. As for the image on stage, I think no one has the right to restrict the scope of the artist to realize his plans, but we try to work within the concept of the event. So every year there is a compromise between the artist and the festival’s director team.
— Do you find new meanings in your songs as time goes by?
— Times change, but creativity is eternal. And even more so for the artist. I would like to say that it is not possible for every song that passes through your soul to have a different meaning for you. Today there is a new vision for those who hear them for the first time, and it won’t even be new, it will just be different.
— What is the secret of your energy and youthful enthusiasm? What is your belief in life?
— I believe that youth of soul is the condition of every creative person. And when you start to immerse yourself in work, unnecessary thoughts and bad mood disappear. In general, the creative process is a fascinating activity. My life credo is linked to this work – move forward no matter what and don’t stop there.
— How do you communicate with your fans, do you always agree to take photos? What do you buy most often?
— Most of the time fans give me their emotions and sharks. Especially when he’s next to me on stage. Then a lot of messages come on social networks and I really like it. They even recognize you on the street and ask you to take photos and sign autographs. I never refuse because I have been working for these people on stage for many years.
— Do you remember any unusual cases regarding your fans?
— At the “Disco” in Yekaterinburg, a man came on stage and gave me a teddy bear and a huge bouquet of flowers. He said he was a chef and wanted to cook for me all his life. And he proposed to me! It was cool and unexpected.
— What meaning did you attach to the song “NeKsyusha”, which you recorded with Katya Kudos in August? How did the audience receive it?
— The song “NeKsyusha” with Katya Kudos was written by Katya and, so to speak, hooked me with its excitement and the opportunity to delve into modern trends in music. As for the lyrics, we finished it together. I am constantly in creative pursuit, and such work provides a lot of useful information. I think the audience responded very well to the song. Even people around me still walk around and sing: “Because I am not Ksyusha. “La-la, la-la” (laughs).
— Are you planning to make any other releases in the near future? Should we expect something unusual from you?
– Of course, that’s the only secret! In fact, at least one album is expected to be released this fall, and maybe we’ll have time to release two tracks. There are plans to collaborate with the talented DJ Dimixer. He recently released a track with Denis Klyaver, literally today we agreed on collaboration – and this is most likely more than one work.
— Which contemporary musician would you most like to record a harmony with?
— I am open to suggestions, ready for the most unusual combinations (laughs).
— What do you think is the secret of the music of the 90s, which remains popular until today and attracts the attention of many listeners at concerts?
— There weren’t as many stars in the 90s as there are now. And we are used to creating creativity little by little, putting our whole soul into each song. That’s why every song is special. And listeners have a special connection to these songs in their lives, so when they hear this song years later, they get a perfect flashback and the opportunity to relive those incredible emotions once again!
— In your opinion, how is modern Russian music better than the music of the 1990-2000s and in what ways is it inferior?
— As I said before, the soul lives on in the songs of those years. Besides everything else, a live instrument recorded with an arrangement always sounds better than the electronic version, in my opinion. I believe that it is not worth comparing the music of the 1990s-2000s with modern music, because these are different periods of development of both music and society.
— You collaborated with Sergei Zhukov at the beginning of your career. What are you grateful for this person? Do you now maintain contact, monitor their activities?
— Sergei did a lot for my project and, of course, I am very grateful to him. Naturally, we keep in touch and it is not difficult to follow their activities; Sergei is in the news and feed almost through a post. (laughs). I am very happy for the success of their children; It’s a wonderful thing to inherit talent.
— In September this year, Yuri Shatunov could have turned 50. How did it stay in your memory? Did you communicate in the last years of his life?
“Who he was throughout his life will forever remain in the memory of all music lovers and connoisseurs – a whole era in the world of Russian pop music.
— You have performed many times at football matches. Which club do you support? Do you go to matches often?
“Unfortunately, you don’t need to fly between cities with concerts to attend the matches. For this reason, I cannot perform at such events as often as I would like. When I went to the Sportvolna festival, I met Spartak’s experienced players there and since then I have been in favor of quality football (laughs). I go to support matches whenever I get the chance; We performed together with Valera Kipelov at the opening of the Otkritie Arena stadium. We also come to Spartak hockey matches.
— Do you have free time? How do you spend it?
— Almost no trace is left in the creative process. I enjoy going to the gym if I get the chance. And if I could find a day or two by the seaside to soak up the sun, I couldn’t be happier.