Alexei Gorbashov, the leader and guitarist of the Mirage group, spoke with socialbites.ca about a near-arrest episode in Paris that involved the band and their friend, artist Nikita Dzhigurda.
The incident happened while the collective filmed a collaboration video for the song “Won’t Help You Tonight” in the French capital. Local residents, taken aback by the entourage’s antics, alerted authorities.
Gorbashov recalled a moment that felt like a spectacle: a twelve-meter limousine rented for the shoot rolled to a stop in a narrow Paris street. Champagne flowed, music blared, and dancing began, creating a scene that sent shivers through some Metro riders and passersby around the Moulin Rouge area that evening. He described it as a surreal moment, thankful that the police response ended without arrests.
Mirage and Nikita Dzhigurda have shared a long history as friends and collaborators. In 1994, Dzhigurda contributed to an album marking Sergei Yesenin’s centennial, with all female vocal parts performed by Mirage’s Ekaterina Boldysheva.
The recording sessions took place in the Lenkom Theater studio, with Gorbashov briefly living nearby on Sadovoy Street, just a few hundred meters from the venue. After long takes, the group would return to their apartment, where sessions sometimes stretched into the early morning. Nikita’s voice filled the home, prompting curious neighbors to wonder about the nocturnal rehearsals. Yet, as the musician reflects, there appears to be little that can deter Dzhigurda from pursuing his musical mission.
Recent coverage of Mirage includes the program The Boy’s Word, which chronicles the band’s rise and the stories behind their popular tracks. Another feature, Blood on the Asphalt, explores the band’s life and the miles they’ve traveled on the road to recognition.
There were previous statements denying reports about Dzhigurda planning a trip to the Northern Military District, a topic that has sparked public interest in the group’s movements and projects.