How did the R.E.S.T. Art project begin? What influenced your choice of drum and bass music in particular?
The project began in September 1998, after a trip to London. At the time, we were all studying together and went to Britain through the university. That was where we met: FiX, Antony Mor, and Transpire (Cobalt). At that point, we were all involved in writing music. Anton and I were making HardStep and Techno at the time. We already had a project called "Generator of Ideas." Why drum and bass? Because at that point it was the newest, most interesting, and most dynamically developing culture. It really captivated us, especially since we were lucky enough to visit the homeland of this music. The impression was so strong that things could not have turned out any other way. But although we were already trying to make something in September, the project officially began to exist on 28 January. That day we all got together and spent two weeks writing a programme, which turned out to be quite interesting at the time. It reminded us somewhat of Photek, who had a very strong influence on us then. Naturally, the scene leaders at that point were Doc Scott and Dillinja, while Ed Rush & Optical were beginning their rise; we borrowed a little from them too...
But now the collective has two members, Cobalt and Reset...
I (Cobalt) met Reset in the spring of 2001; at the time, he was a member of the Eazy Drum project. We made several tracks together. And after Fix and Antony Mor left the group, the group's new lineup was announced at the first DnB Convention.
How does the collective's track-creation process work? Do you create everything together, or does each person have their own area and work individually?
We do everything together, but initially someone makes sketches. Most often, me (Cobalt). When Reset comes to me, or I go to him, the collaborative work begins: we add things, remove things, discuss them. It can easily happen that only the file name remains from the initial version.
What successes do you think the collective has achieved during its existence?
It is not for me to judge our successes. I simply make music. Most of the people I communicate with in this culture, I think, would confirm that there was never any particular desire to force our way somewhere; we simply wanted to do what we liked. It is not for us to judge how that turned out. We can say one thing: at the moment, we are the oldest St Petersburg collective to appear on event posters more or less consistently. Please pay attention specifically to the R.E.S.T. Art brand. There are people who are older, but one way or another their projects broke up, new ones appeared, and they changed the names of their collectives and their own names. We did not. Although the lineup changed, the name remained, and so did the spirit.
What advantages do you gain from using a regular MC in your performances?
MC Munkie is our "biz-in"—everything around him catches fire when he is on the microphone. He has long since ceased to be merely a regular MC; he is the best MC in St Petersburg. We love and respect Misha very much. What he does is super: he drives our performances, creating a fiery blend of the dynamics of our music and his voice.
How do you build your DJ set when performing in clubs? Do you prefer your own material to other people's, or the other way around?
50/50, plus the differences in our tastes. That may add its own character. We are not professional DJs, so we simply play what we like. Naturally, it does not go beyond the concept of "drum and bass."
Should we expect an R.E.S.T. Art album on CD?
Yes, it is almost out already. It is the result of a certain period of time. We are currently writing a new programme, with 4–5 new tracks to be made over the course of 3 months. Accordingly, we decided to sum up the work we have done. The album will include both our best-known tracks and those that did not stay on the dancefloors for long. The album will make it possible to clearly trace the transformation of our sound over almost 2 years. It will be called TrusT; the title has a double meaning. In the middle is RUS—it was made here. =) And there is hope that it is not yet time to write us off, and that R.E.S.T. Art will still show a new, interesting sound. At least in the new tracks, we are putting not only our accumulated experience, but also our souls.
Does the collective plan to release on foreign labels?
I do not even know—probably not. After all, it is not that important to us where we release, as I said above: I simply make what I want to make... We are incredibly happy for those who break out beyond Russia; they are incredibly talented people. But this requires constant communication with label owners and on various drum and bass forums. At the moment, we do not have that much free time or the desire to devote ourselves to it. We simply do what you may like. The rest, essentially, is not that important. I will probably never change my opinion on this. But if we are offered the opportunity, I will not refuse it either. I do not see anything wrong with that.
Your current preferences: producer, DJ, label, track?
There is a lot, so it is hard to say. I listen to music; there is a pile of material. If I like it, it stays; if not, I move on to the next track. There are many talented producers, but there is one person whose music I listen to with particular pleasure. It is close to my mood, and I consider this person a genius in their own way: Diss.ident. Everything else changes too quickly for me to say that it is my preference.
Which Russian musicians do you work with, and with whom would you like to work?
We wrote remixes for Besa and Diss.ident. There was a track with Paul B. That is all we have to boast about; we are quite a closed collective. But this year, I think we will work with the people we want to work with. Let that remain a little secret for now. The result should please not only us, but you too. =)
Your wishes and comments for SPbDnB.ru.
Keep doing what you are doing, be objective, and simply good luck. What you are doing is absolutely the right thing!
