Sunday, 11 October 2015
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Interview with a guitarist from Spain
Ángel Ontalva, Spain, plays improvisation on the guitar. He's going to travel to Russia to perform. So, I'm going to get information about his feelings and expectations about this tour.
Q: What are your plans for th[e near future?
Angel: Travel to Russia for one month next Saturday, I am nervous, I have not a lot of money and I must do some things that I really don't want to do.
Q: What are the things?
A: I will do a tour with a very weird lady and the travels are long by train and I really don't want to go with her. And I will play in SPB with her father (they hate each other) and he is a perturbed.
Q: Can you refuse to play with them?
A: No, I go for that. I'll do some other more fun things hopefully.
Q: What is it?
A: Things.
Q: Oh, well. How long does it take you to record a new album?
A: It depends.
Q: I'm about your last one.
A: My last one – it took some million years. I worked on it at different moments for a long period of time. And the mix and so was long too. I have recorded albums of free improvisation on one only session and mixed very fast the next day. We composed and recorded and released Permafrost by October, Equus for only 2 months and a half, and it's very difficult music. I work well under pressure. Depends on the music, the band, the available time... how my brain is working at that moment, different factors.
Q: I see. I listened to your last album and I must say that it is worth your efforts. Where do you get your inspiration from?
A: Sometimes all is in my brain , sometimes as the two guitars jazz ballads album I had my inspiration from something that happened to me. Usually no need for too much inspiration, music is abstract. All is in my head. Sometimes I listen to something and I think, oh, I could do something similar, and usually I do something totally different than the origin was.
Q: I think it's your gift 'cause I play the guitar too and if I have no inspiration, no one can make me play.
A: I dedicated my life to do this, I try to live from my imagination. It is something you can do with some training. The other day a fan , a Russian fan who watched me live, asked me how to work to have a better control on this and that fingers. What I did was trying to develop my ideas, and my ideas drove me to control all fingers for playing them ,and in some point I even needed the right hand on the fretboard. So all was trying to go forward with my imagination.
Q: Really amazing!
A: It's not amazing. How old are you already? 20?
Q: Yes, I am. Why are you asking me?
A: I'm playing the guitar almost double your life.
Q: Wow! So, I understand why you're so good at your work. One more important question. What' are your favorite bands? And what bands did affect your creation?
A: Do you have a lot of time to listen to it? I like too many things and many things influenced me.
Q: For example? The most worthy?
A: I'm quite old and I have many years of listening. Thousands of bands, I can't give you a short answer. At this moment I listen to the XXth century classical music than any other kind of music but I don't listen too much, as I am very busy with my own music all day.
Q: Well, thank you so much for the answers! I won't detract you from your music. Have a nice tour in Russia!
Angel: Travel to Russia for one month next Saturday, I am nervous, I have not a lot of money and I must do some things that I really don't want to do.
Q: What are the things?
A: I will do a tour with a very weird lady and the travels are long by train and I really don't want to go with her. And I will play in SPB with her father (they hate each other) and he is a perturbed.
Q: Can you refuse to play with them?
A: No, I go for that. I'll do some other more fun things hopefully.
Q: What is it?
A: Things.
Q: Oh, well. How long does it take you to record a new album?
A: It depends.
Q: I'm about your last one.
A: My last one – it took some million years. I worked on it at different moments for a long period of time. And the mix and so was long too. I have recorded albums of free improvisation on one only session and mixed very fast the next day. We composed and recorded and released Permafrost by October, Equus for only 2 months and a half, and it's very difficult music. I work well under pressure. Depends on the music, the band, the available time... how my brain is working at that moment, different factors.
Q: I see. I listened to your last album and I must say that it is worth your efforts. Where do you get your inspiration from?
A: Sometimes all is in my brain , sometimes as the two guitars jazz ballads album I had my inspiration from something that happened to me. Usually no need for too much inspiration, music is abstract. All is in my head. Sometimes I listen to something and I think, oh, I could do something similar, and usually I do something totally different than the origin was.
Q: I think it's your gift 'cause I play the guitar too and if I have no inspiration, no one can make me play.
A: I dedicated my life to do this, I try to live from my imagination. It is something you can do with some training. The other day a fan , a Russian fan who watched me live, asked me how to work to have a better control on this and that fingers. What I did was trying to develop my ideas, and my ideas drove me to control all fingers for playing them ,and in some point I even needed the right hand on the fretboard. So all was trying to go forward with my imagination.
Q: Really amazing!
A: It's not amazing. How old are you already? 20?
Q: Yes, I am. Why are you asking me?
A: I'm playing the guitar almost double your life.
Q: Wow! So, I understand why you're so good at your work. One more important question. What' are your favorite bands? And what bands did affect your creation?
A: Do you have a lot of time to listen to it? I like too many things and many things influenced me.
Q: For example? The most worthy?
A: I'm quite old and I have many years of listening. Thousands of bands, I can't give you a short answer. At this moment I listen to the XXth century classical music than any other kind of music but I don't listen too much, as I am very busy with my own music all day.
Q: Well, thank you so much for the answers! I won't detract you from your music. Have a nice tour in Russia!
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Interview
I answered the questions to English teacher, Melnikov Vladimir
Yuri’vich, who has told me about positive and negative sides of his work.
Q: Vladimir Yuri’vich, I’m glad to see you again and thanks for you
agreed to answer my questions.
A: No problem! I am glad to see you too.
Q: Can you tell me about yourself and your profession?
A: I have been working as English teacher for 10 years. It was my
favourite subject at school and I learn it hard. I always wanted to be English
teacher and that’s why I graduated TSPU.
Q: Why does you profession attract you?
A: Firstly I like to communicate with pupils of different age. It helps
me to broaden my mind and understand view of life of children. Secondly, the
process of education always develops, it always appears something new and
interesting, that’s why this work captivates me.
Q: What is the most difficult in your profession?
A: The most difficult for me is to find common ground with children. If
it’s no contact with pupil, the teaching is difficult. The pupil doesn’t conceive
the new material, and all the attempts to get knowledge is ineffective.
Q: Are you glad, that you chose this profession many years ago?
A: I don’t regret about it and I can’t imagine any other work for me.
This profession helped me in many situations in my life and developed positive
qualities.
Q: Whom can you recommend your profession?
A: Now it’s becoming more difficult to work with children, because they
are becoming more disobedient. A teacher was respectful among children earlier,
but now disrespect takes place in many
situations. That’s why today teacher must have determined character.
Q: What qualities does this profession develop in you?
A: I think it is tolerance, you begin to attitude to all more calmer, the skills of communicate develops too. The
shyness is extirpated.
Q: What can make your profession better?
A: More modern equipage of cabinets. It will help to improve the process
of teaching. Now there is a tendency- one computer for one pupil. They say,
that this way will make the process of education better.
Q: Thanks, Vladimir Yuri’vich for this interview!
A: You’re welcome!
Molodkin interview
Kirill Drobyshev is drummer in the band called “The Hazed”.
Q: Garage Punk. Why did you choose this genre to play? What inspires you
to play it?
A: We aren’t even sure that we follow the frames of this genre. To tell
the truth, we didn’t choose it. It chose us. Well, the thing I like about music is
that you can do whatever you want to do in any way without setting frames for
yourself. You know, it is like a hobby: you do it because you like it. That’s
all.
Q: Why do you play drums? How your band was created?
А: One day a thought struck me that it was cool to play
drums, and it would be great to try it. For some time the music teacher helped
me, but soon I continued on my own. Probably it is the reason why I still can’t
play properly.
Our band was created by occasion. My schoolmate and I got together for a
long period of time and played simple things like “The White Stripes”. During this
time we played with different people, but they all left for the other bands.
Not long ago a guy who plays bass-guitar joined us. He’s a permanent member of
the band now. We’ve learned a lot since he has been a part of our team.
Q: What bands and musicians inspire you?
А: I am really fond of bands like Einstürzende
Neubauten and Lightning Bolt because of their professional drummers.
Q: One month ago you recorded the song, called “Paranoia”. Why did you
choose it to be the first recorded song?
А: The recording was spontaneous. We just came to the
repetition and Timothy, the guy who managed all things there told us: “I can
record some of your songs, guys”. We chose “Paranoia” because it was easy to
play and we all liked it.
Q: Where did you give concerts in Tula? What places did you like and
why?
А: To tell the truth, there are not so much places to
give a concert in Tula. We don’t like to play in pubs like “M2” or “Irlandets”
because of the atmosphere. We often perform in the place called “Flügel”, which
is located in the center of Tula. There are some problems with acoustics, but
still, we love to play there. Also, once we went to Moscow to give a concert,
but the best part of this trip was sleeping at the train station. No kidding.
Q: You often give concerts in
tandem with other bands from Tula, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Are there any
teams, which are of your taste? With whom would you like to play again?
А: I’d like to play again and again with guys from
“Camino Muerto”. Also I liked the band “Nikola Tesla & Thee Coils” that is
from Moscow.
Q: There is a little musical “family” in Tula. What do you think about
it?
А: All people of this “family” are hipsters, who consider themselves as rockers. I don’t really like them.
Q: And the last question. What do you think about the future of “The
Hazed”?
А: We don’t have any straight plans, you know. I guess,
we will just keep up our work and record some new songs.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Arhangelsky interview
An interview
with Nikita – guitarist and leader of a new-formed band called “RAVELS”.
Q. Hello, Nik,
nice to meet you. So, first of all, say something about yourself in general.
A. Hello, nice
to meet you too. Well, my name is Nikita, I’m 22 years old. I work as a design
engineer and play in the band called “RAVELS” as a guitarist. We play garage
rock with the bias towards post-punk revival.
Q. So, let’s
start from the beginning. Tell us please, how did you start playing music?
A. Well, it
wasn’t a conscious decision at all. I bought my first guitar at the age of 16
and it was awfully cheap. But I didn’t give up exercising and played it more
and more, also listening for a lot of music that influenced me. For example,
“Sonic Youth”, “Yeah Yeah Yeahs”, “Radiohead” and “BRMC”.
Q. And what can
you say about your first attempts to play in a band?
A. When I
entered the university I met Andrey, a guy who loved the same music and played
drums very well. So we found a third person and started play something
incomprehensible and strange. Then a few years later we changed some musicians
and became what we are today.
Q. Very
interesting information. I’ve listened to your songs and I should say that you
have an unusual approach to your sound. Could you say something about your
sound?
A. I always
liked the sound of these bands (SY, YYY, BRMC), so I tried to build my setup
that way. I’m fond of sub-octave sound and slapped-back delay sound.
I also like
“trebled guitars” like Jazzmasters and Jaguars. To cut a long story short – I
really spend a lot of time to choose effects I’d like to use and to customize
them. But it works.
Q. Could you
express your opinion about modern music in general, please? What do you like
and dislike in it?
A. I’d better
say what I really dislike. I guess, the main problem of music nowadays is the
audience. A lot of my friends are listening to a really awful and tasteless
music, which sometimes doesn’t even have a melody – just an unreadable
bullshit. So it’s hard to make music like our music, because the majority of
people won’t understand it at all.
Q. Interesting
opinion. So, answer the last question please. Tell us about musical problems in
our city, please.
A. I guess, the
problems are the same. There are no really good places to perform. There are
not so many picky listeners, too. But there are many bands, which play and
record their songs careless. They never care about their sound and performance
and do everything by 50%. I think, the situation won’t change till the musicians are not aware of all
the responsibility in making music.
Q. It was a very
interesting interview, thanks for your answers. Bye.
A. No problems,
bye.
ex "Arsenal" player changed the team
This year basketball team "Arsenal Tula" lost another young player. Nikolay Isayev left the team cause of new contract terms. Now he strengthens his positions in a new club "Unics Kazan".
A: What kind of difficulties have you faced in the new team, Nikolay ?
N: As a rule, signing a contract is always a long process. Moreover, there was a problem with getting the necessary documents. I'm really glad that all paperwork is finally over.
A: Can you say that skill level of the team is the same with yours?
N: Definitely yes. I worked hard this summer, paid a great attention to technique. So, now I'm absolutely calm.
A: Do you know anything about "Unics" training process?
N: All I know is that we will have 3-4 trainings a day. The detailed schedule will be made at the beginning of the season.
A: "Unics" is known as one of the most well-sponsored clubs in Russia. Tell us about working conditions they provide for athletes.
N: All sports equipment is provided by "Spalding" brand, we have limited number of clothes and personal equipment for a season. Other sponsors provide accommodation and team transport. Now I don't know all the nuances of the sponsorship.
A: Thank you for your time, Nikolay. We hope that this season will be the best for your career.
N: I hope so, too. Goodbye.
A: What kind of difficulties have you faced in the new team, Nikolay ?
N: As a rule, signing a contract is always a long process. Moreover, there was a problem with getting the necessary documents. I'm really glad that all paperwork is finally over.
A: Can you say that skill level of the team is the same with yours?
N: Definitely yes. I worked hard this summer, paid a great attention to technique. So, now I'm absolutely calm.
A: Do you know anything about "Unics" training process?
N: All I know is that we will have 3-4 trainings a day. The detailed schedule will be made at the beginning of the season.
A: "Unics" is known as one of the most well-sponsored clubs in Russia. Tell us about working conditions they provide for athletes.
N: All sports equipment is provided by "Spalding" brand, we have limited number of clothes and personal equipment for a season. Other sponsors provide accommodation and team transport. Now I don't know all the nuances of the sponsorship.
A: Thank you for your time, Nikolay. We hope that this season will be the best for your career.
N: I hope so, too. Goodbye.
Talks about Russia
Talks about Russia
Mehdi, 18, is from Lille, France. He studies at a high
school and he want to be an engineer and study other languages. We met online
and now we are good friends and often chat or talk in Skype. We usually talk
about our lives and today I decided to ask his opinion about Russia, the Russian
people and culture.
K: You are from France and it`s one of the
most beautiful and interesting countries, but now I want to talk about Russia.
First of all, give me please 3-5 words which you associate with Russia.
M: (laughing) Bear, communism, Putin, vodka.
K: Bears?! Do you really think so? You
think that bears are still walking along the streets?
M: (laughing) Of course, not! I think that the contact of Russian people
with bears is just a stereotype.
K: I see. But have you ever been to Russia?
M: No, but I watch
documentaries about the Russian people and Russian nature sometimes.
K: Was it interesting for you? Do you want
to visit our country?
M: Yes, it was really
interesting for me! And why not? I will go to Russia one day in the future to
study.
K: To study? Have you already
chosen the city or the university?
M: No, I didn't choose the
university or the city, but I have thought about several countries in Europe
and Russia is one of them. For you what's the best cities and Universities to
study?
K: Think about Tula State Lev Tolstoy
Pedagogical University. We have a special faculty for international students. Our
students are rather friendly and welcome international guests. We also have
great teachers, and I am sure, you will like them. So, you want to visit
Russia, but what do you think about the Russian people? Have you ever met them
in real life?
M: Thanks a lot! I`ll read about your
university. I`ve never met Russian people and I`ve never talked to them face to
face, but I saw Russian people in my country and we have Russians in my
country, they are studying at the University and working in different
companies. And I think that the Russian
people are good at dealing with other people in general.
M: Why not? I think if I`ll go to Russia,
I`m sure, I `ll find my couple there.
K: And what do you think about Russian
women?
M: The Russian women are well-known for
their beauty and intelligence.
K: What about Russian food? Have you heard about it? Or may be tasted it?
K: What about Russian food? Have you heard about it? Or may be tasted it?
M: I have never tasted it, but I heard
about borsch. We call it “Red soup”. And I
do want to taste it! I hope a Russian girl someday will cook it for me!
But now give me the recipe! (laughing)
K: (laughing) Ok! I`ll write it
to you! Thank you very much! Our interview comes to the end. The
last question for you. Your wishes
for the Russian people?
M: For Russian people? Well… You must work
for the development of the country and study hard because the science is the
light of the future. And, of course, your men should protect and take better care of your women.
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