The biggest DJ in Russia continues his invasion of the west
Interview by Dan Prince
Alex a huge welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
Thank you for the invite bro! I feel like I’m still 30,000 feet up in the air since it feels like I’ve been living on an airplane for the past few months. But currently, I’m in Moscow.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
You’re going to laugh, but lately my morning starts with listening to the new album from AC/DC – “Rock or Bust” that was just released. It kind of energizes me for the entire day.
That’s cool. Well what a year you are having young man, touring the world enjoying sold out gigs…and now a F**KING MASSIVE new tune causing major dancefloor damage. Please talk us through the history and sound of ‘COSMO Zoo’…
Thank you for such warm and kind words. We are working very hard to make all of this possible, but at the end of the day, I only have my fans to thank for this. I’m very grateful for their support and the love that they’ve showed me. About COSMO Zoo: When I first started working on this track I wanted to make something that would be a little different than what’s out there right now. If you listen closely to COSMO Zoo, in the middle of the track you will hear a very specific sound, it sort of sounds like an old musical box, this gives COSMO ZOO a unique feel. But of course the main drop proves that this is something new and fresh. I wasn’t afraid to experiment, and I’m just really thankful that the experiment was such a success.
Check it : https://soundcloud.com/djfenix/cosmo-zoo
The track has been supported by many of the big players, who are the producers you like to see on the thumbs up list concerning your new music?
Oh gosh, I can go on and on. But some names that pop into my head right away are of course Tiesto, Armin, Hardwell, Afrojack and Deadmau5. You have to aim really high, right?
Can you remember the first time you road tested the track – did you know you were sitting on something very special?
Like I mentioned before, it was an experiment. I wasn’t afraid but I still was a little nervous. The first time I road tested the track, I was playing at the Provocateur in NYC…and it was sold out. When I put it on, I didn’t see a single person standing still– I knew that I was sitting on something special then.
What are the 5 big records in your box this weekend…
“On My Way- Extended Mix” – Axwell /\ Ingrosso
Amazing sound, awesome track.
“Eternity” – DJ Fenix
Overall, I think this is just a great track!
“Guest List Original Mix” – Alvaro & Jetfire
I think this track makes people want to jump out of their shoes, a great track to have in your collection.
“Runaway (U&I) Extended Mix” – Galantis
Personally, I think Galantis makes a very fresh sound, and this track is always a hit.
“R3hab & Sander van Doorn” – Phoenix
Besides having a similar name (Fenix / Phoenix) I think this is an incredible track.
You teased us all with a cool photo of yourself back in February in a studio with Madonna’s producer Andre Betts. What’s the story there?
I travel between Moscow and New York all the time. And whenever I’m in NY I use UMPC Studio, which Andre owns. There is something in the pipeline that we’re working on together that we’re almost finished with. I didn’t give away too much did I?
You have appeared on CNN, interviewed by The Guardian and been all over American radio shows of late, it’s not surprising the first question they ask you is all about DJing at the Kremlin for Putin’s second inauguration and the private gigs for Dmitri Medvedev. Man where to start with this one! Okay first off, tell me about the first phone call from your manager Rostik to tell you about the request to play at the Kremlin. What on earth did he say and what was your initial reaction?
My manager Rostislav (Rostik) Rusev loves to play pranks on me. It was about 3 AM and I got a phone call from Rostik and he tells me, “so how would you like to be the first DJ ever to play inside of the Kremlin?” My initial reaction was, “Bro, seriously?? Its 3 AM, I have a few days off and I’m sleeping – stop with this shit,” and hung up the phone on him. After a few hours went by he called me back and said, “So did you sleep on it?” At that moment I started to realize he was being serious. I just kept thinking there is no dancefloor…”
You beat me to the next questions, there ain’t no dancefloor dude! What did people do when you played?
You know, the public was kind of split in half. Half of the people were very surprised because they expected to hear folk music inside of the Kremlin walls, so to say they least, they were surprised. The other half, the younger generation, did their best to dance in the section where the folding chairs were. So it was definitely a totally new experience for me as well! Nonetheless, it was a great honor to be the first DJ inside of the Kremlin walls to represent the EDM community.
And finally on this matter, are you getting sick of being asked about the Kremlin, wouldn’t you just prefer to talk about the music?
I love this question, and FINALLY, you’re the first person to ask it — I am! I’m a musician, not a politician. I would much rather talk about my music or my upcoming tracks that are about to be released, rather than talk about what kind of chandeliers they have hanging inside of the Kremlin.
Thought so. A much more fun gig must have been for NJ Jets owner Mikhail Prokhorov – what was that night like?
Honestly, I perform quite frequently in clubs where a lot of celebrities or famous people come to hang out, so it’s nothing new to me. But if you’re talking specifically about M.P., then all I have to say is that, I have never met a more intelligent, open, athletic, ambitious, kind and most importantly, funny person in my life. It’s always great playing for him and the night is always fun.
Tell me 3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime…
Oh man, right now I only have one thing on my bucket list, and that’s to sell out Met Life Stadium. I’m not ready to start thinking about anything else.
Okay let’s rewind for a moment. DMCWORLD has Russian DJs in the interview chamber quite regularly. Your festival season in the summer is great. Avicii, David Guetta and Tiesto love playing in your home country. But – and it’s a big but, the main music in Russia is folk music. How old were you when you discovered electronic music…and how?
You know in Russia, up until a few years ago, folk music was the main genre. But for the past few years EDM has been blowing up there. I was 16 years old when I was first introduced to EDM and it was by a complete accident. The first dance track I heard was called, “ZORO” and it was 14 years ago at a local club in Moscow. It had a true impact on me because at that time everybody was listening to hip hop and R&B, it was new and truly changed me.
When did the idea of becoming a DJ and producer first form in your head?
The idea came to me about 13 years ago when I was in a nightclub called Disco Mania, in Moscow. At that moment, I saw and realized that I wanted to be a DJ.
Early musical influences?
AC/DC, Tupac, Eminem, DMX, and Metallica– I know, not something you hear every day from an EDM DJ.
Your father is a retired high-ranking FSB (formerly KGB) official. What was your parents reaction when you said to them, ‘mum, dad…I want to be a DJ’?
They only said the following words and then it was dead silent for a moment, “What? Who? What’s that?”
I hear they come to your DJ gigs now?
Yes, they came to a few shows. It was very nice to have them there. But I still get the feeling that they’re still trying to figure out this whole DJ career….
What was your first big break in the music industry?
You know, to be honest with you, I can’t really say that I have had a “big break” yet. They say that if you bust your ass and go after your dreams anything is possible. I have never stopped believing or working hard. I have a lot of exciting things that will be happening in the near future, so I can only imagine what will happen when I get my ”big break.”
New York loves you. You sell out clubs every time you hit the Big Apple. How much of the audience are Russian compared to Americans?
I have thought about that as well, and from what I saw during my last tour of the Big Apple, is that there was maybe 10-15% Russians. Maybe not even Russians, but they were Russian speaking. The rest of the crowd was all Americans, which I honestly have to say are one of the craziest crowds to play for.
A producer you would love to collaborate with?
Deadmou5
True or false? In Moscow clubs people do not pay to get in?
True
The whole EDM movement screams freedom, power and movement. How do ethics like this come across to the Russian people who don’t understand dance music? Do they think it is evil? Freedom of speech is usually stamped on…
This also connects back to the point that I’m a musician and not a politician. Music has no limits, so it doesn’t matter what genre it is. But EDM especially, gives people the ability to express their freedom and power. And since the EDM movement is booming in Russia I guess people are now accepting this genre.
You have worked with Pioneer recently…word on the street is that they are looking to invest in sound systems for festivals in Russia?
I think it will be not only in Russia, but in the whole festival spectrum. They already make great equipment as it is and I think they will succeed in expansion as well.
How much of a problem for musicians is the black market in Russia? Surely the only way for musicians to earn money there is through DJ gigs and live shows?
That’s a very good, global question. The black market is very active in Russia and a lot of artists are getting hurt because they can’t collect any money from their music. The only option left is to play gigs.
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
Now this question I love…if you think COSMO Zoo was fucking insane, I hope that my track “ETERNITY” will be an even bigger hit. It’ll be coming out on April 21st. After that release, I have a vocal track with the amazing singer, Alicia Madison. That track will truly be the BOMB! I really can’t wait! I will be announcing the release date of that track at the end of April.
