How would you assess the past year in terms of your personal creative achievements?
It was probably the most successful year. Two releases abroad, a lot of live performances, radio, television, and so on. Total Advance Music developed more rapidly (several promotions involving international stars, the release of compilations and albums).
What changes do you think have taken place in the balance of power on the global drum and bass scene?
Drum'n'Bass has become more international (Denmark — Pyro, New Zealand — Concord Dawn, the Netherlands — Black Sun Empire, Hungary — SKC, Chris.SU, Estonia — Stare & Phibbs, Canada — Psidream, Belgium — Crossfire, Norway — Polar, Teebee, Future Prophecies, and Russia now has a place on this list). The culture is developing especially strongly in the USA. A huge number of new labels have opened there — Fear, Shadow Law, Inverse Rhythm, and others — along with a lot of promising new musicians — arQer & Realtime, ICBM, Mayhem, Kiko, Seneca (Dykast), and others. We must not forget the established “dads” like Juju, Hive, Sinthetix, and Gridlok.
Which of the many new producers do you consider the most promising?
It is difficult to be objective about this, since most of them are good friends of mine, but... ICBM (their first release on Black Sun Empire Recordings is coming soon), Stare & Phibbs, Static Nitro (the guys from Ukraine make excellent music)... you cannot mention them all.
The best track, producer, DJ, and label this year overall and, specifically, in our city?
Worldwide: track — Chris.SU — Airlift (Subscope Records); musicians — Cause 4 Concern; label — Renegade Hardware.
And saying what is best in our city would be rather immodest;)
How is the release you and Ruffen are doing for Fear Red Records progressing?
Last D.N.A. Donor and Fuji are nearing release. We intend to continue working with this label, and perhaps we will release a whole album there (time will tell).
Are you planning any releases in Saint Petersburg in the near future?
Something is constantly coming out on various compilations in Saint Petersburg. But at the beginning of 2003, I plan to release an album on T.A.M.
Do you think drum and bass can become a mainstream phenomenon in our city?
It is already becoming a mass phenomenon. The dancefloors at “Vspyshka,” DJ Parade, and Vostochny Udar are always packed. Releases sell with enviable regularity. Saint Petersburg is officially called the capital of drum and bass in Russia, and not without reason.
Can the parties featuring international stars that have become more frequent recently become regular events in Saint Petersburg?
They can. For example, Goldie and Technical Itch are coming to us in January. It will be interesting to play with such well-known figures on the same stage.
Which Saint Petersburg producers would you like to collaborate with?
Everyone I would like to collaborate with is already collaborating with me. Ruffen, Bes, and Aspekt (ex. Dissonance) are the musicians and DJs I respect most in Saint Petersburg.
Which of our musicians have a chance of releasing on vinyl abroad?
Everyone has a chance. I will say something banal, but the main things are experience and desire.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Everything remains the same. Tours, releases here and abroad. I also want to publish my literary efforts.
Where are you planning to spend New Year's Eve?
Oh, difficult question. Definitely in the astral plane.
Dissident, 5 December 2002, Saint Petersburg
