2006 - for Nucleus (The Site of the Progressive Music) http://www.nucleusprog.com/ingles/index.htm

original - http://www.nucleusprog.com/ingles/r-rada.htm

RADA & TERNOVNIK

"The Russian Gothic Spirit"

Interview with the great Russian vocalist Rada

By Sergio Vilar

Hello Rada, thanks for your time and interest to answer these questions. To begin, could you give us an express summary of your career for people that doesn't know you?

Briefly, the band has been around for 15 years; we've released about 15 CDs in Russia, France and Ukraine. They are in a variety of styles, from trip-hop to
neofolk. We've collaborated with different musicians - violinists, percussion players, saxophonists etc. We've played numerous live dates all over Russia. There is
much exactly exactly on this topic at our website, http://rada.rinet.ru/Rada-eng.html

Which would you say that they are your more direct musical influences?

I don't think I have any. I listen to music in a completely chaotic way, without any system. I'm not trying to find in other's music something I could use. I
write music which doesn't exist. That the whole reason for Rada & Ternovnik.

Exactly, how would you describe your musical proposal?

I've been using different terms in different periods of time. We're changing styles -- it's like saying the same thing in different languages. Right now I like the sound
of "Old-Russian Gothic", but this definition doesn't quite fit our music either. In 1995 we've invented the term "psychedelic fatum" -- music as destiny, Fate. This
is not a name for a style, this is a way of living.

Undoubtedly, all artist tries to communicate, being always based on her ideological or philosophical focus.
Which would yours be?

Music for me is a sacred art, a way of talking to those bigger than me and a way to learn about the world. I don't think philosophy comes into it in any way. I just
have to see everything exactly as it is and avoid interference, so that, in a manner of speaking, the signal from clear comes in clear. I have to show to
those who listen the part of the world which they wouldn't be able to see without me; I'm like a TV set set to a certain channel. so, the important thing is to
keep the reception quality good.

What are class of sensations or feelings interested to generate in your listeners?

I don't want to impose anything on the listeners. It's a private choice, whether to come to our concert or not, whether to feel anything or not. Then again, what a
person feels depends only on the person -- on her experience, on his life, on whatever happen to them already and is destined to happen in the future. Well, I
might say I just want everyone to feel alive and able to feel. The details are up to you.

Could you give us a brief impression of the discs that you have published?

“Grafika” is our first album. It's a very transparent psychedelic piece.
“Sound of Sorrow”: a slow, depressive album.
“My Love My Sorrow”: a trip-hop experiment
“Russian Epos”: a rather standart live album, just usual rock.
“Cold Season”: prog-rock (with a violin)
“Salamandra”: acoustic, neofolkish, with cello, arranged in a chamber orchestra style.
“Book of the Cruelty of Women”: dark folk with a heart-riveting violin and Indian harmonica; very depressive.
“Insomnia”: another live album
“Marriage”: it's an ethnic one, joint with a Russian ethnic choir
“Clear Day”: who sing authentic Russian folk songs.
“Incantations”: this is the most difficult of all the albums, with a lot of invited musicians, from a sax to a harp. There were also several compilations and live albums released in limited editions, but this is not so interesting.

What situations did they inspire you by each one of them?

Just life. The wish to first and preserve new songs, new sounds, new feelings.

What process you do usually use to compose your music? How do you work that aspect?

It's quite random. I usually do it whenever I have a few spare minutes between updating out website, doing my home work, etc.

How do you feel that your music has evolved along the time?

I don't think it evolved at all. I mean, there is no "development", no forward motion. I still sing about the same "eternal" thing -- about earth, about sky, about
love and death. There is nothing new to discover here. The musicians play however they feel like at the moment. The only thing that may have become better with time is the quality of the records -- but this is just technical, it's the studio hardware that became better, not the music.

For your next disc you do plan to continue in the same musical direction or is the idea to incorporate new elements or styles?

Our next album will be more electronic, more gothic. There will be a lot of noise and a lot of darkness. As for the style definition, let the listeners come up with
up! I think they'll invent something new.

Then, which are your musical objectives of now in more?

Well, not to become senile and not to repeat myself. But generally, this is like life -- what's the objective of life? it's the same with music.

Passing to another topic, how is the musical scene in Russia? Does a scene of progressive rock exist?

Well, nothing much happens, everyone tries just to play something that fits the radio standards. There are a few interesting bands but no-one knows them and few people go to live shows. There's a zine called “InRock”, the people there do some prog-rock festivals and release some CDs, and the attendance at the festivals is maybe a hundred people. I mean, prog rock exists, even in places like Norilsk far in the north of Siberia, but it seems that all these bands are practically unknown to the public.

What music type do you accustom to listen?

Avant-grade things with female vocals. Also, authentic Russian folk music -- because it's really interesting. Japanese drums. Rada & Ternovnik CDs. Whatever my
friends suggest.

Is there something that you would like to recommend us?

Never listen to the radio or music TV. Whatever you buy in a store is okay, because it's your choice. Radio is someone else's choice.

A last question: Which is the goal that you have noticed how artist?

I don't have any goals, I have my music. Singing and living is completely synonymous. Living without getting ill.

Would Rada, like you thank you to leave some message to our readers?

To everyone, I wish beautiful multicolored dreams.



www.rada.rinet.ru
Nucleus interview: 01/08/06

Nucleus mailto:nucleus@netvek.com.ar