Moscow, 4 January, Infinity club, Christmas Battlefield. The presence of superstar Adam F at the club is shrouded in mystery, and no one can really figure out whether he even arrived. Empirically, we manage to establish that he is inaccessible in principle, since even DJs are barred from entering his dressing room. Never mind. Nevertheless, it is necessary to interview one of the event’s stars. For obvious reasons, the brain is working with considerable difficulty, but professional duty prevails. A suitable candidate appears on his own: the familiar silhouette of the Ukrainian authority Sunchase emerges from the crowd. Tequila sunrise, sambuca… With a clear conscience, we head off to the quiet back corners of the multiplex to talk. My tired mind immediately went for the obvious questions.
Tell us, Alexander, how did electronic music begin for you? When did you start creating it yourself, and who influenced you in that respect?
It all began in 1996 with The Prodigy. A friend got me a cassette of their album to listen to. I began trying to make house music on my own in the Dance Machine program. Then, for about a year, I amused myself with various software on the first PlayStation, on which I managed to write a whole bunch of tracks that are still lying around at home on cassettes. Then one of my friends brought me a couple of discs with various music programs, such as Acid and Sound Forge, some extremely old early versions. That was when I began approaching the matter more seriously, so to speak, and really got into it. Besides that, I had a decent pair of Vega direct-drive turntables at home. In the end, all of this became the basis for creating the hip-hop project called “Metromir.”
A good start. What happened next? How did you eventually come to drum and bass?
In 2000, we had the Dnepr Club Stream festival, where we performed with the project and made it to the final. In the end, we came somewhere around fourth place. We did not get any further than that, really. Afterward, I took part in various projects, and in most of them I wrote the majority of the music myself, because the others usually couldn’t be bothered. Later, the same situation arose in the Transmission of Samples crew, which was involved in drum and bass. When I finally got tired of it, I met Artem Oxid, who suggested creating the Static Nitro project. I wrote the music, while Artem handled the management. The project proved quite successful on the local scene, and I finally decided to pursue a solo career. Around the same time, I wrote the well-known track “Remember Me,” which, through a good connection, the guys from Pendulum helped master, while Viper helped me upload it to the DogsOnAcid website. It immediately took first place there, and offers to release it started pouring in. In the end, I settled on the Hostile label, which later released it with a remix by Ill.Skills. And then… things really took off!)))
Please elaborate from this point onward. It would be useful for many users of our portal to familiarize themselves with your discography. What have you released, and where?
Besides the release on Hostile (003), I had two other fairly well-selling releases on Full Force—the Luxembourg label run by some very good friends of mine. The tracks “Eclipse” (with Cyb Orc) and “Air Freshner” came out there, as did the track “Nemesis” with Counterstrike and vocalist Tasha. There was also a promo single recently released on Recon, with the tracks “Save Us” and “Marazmatic.” And my most significant release so far is on Moving Shadow: MSX041, the “Sands of Time” EP.
Yes, that’s great. No question about it. You once mentioned to me in conversation that you were simply “drowning” in a sea of current projects waiting to be completed. Tell us about them.
Just the day before yesterday, they sent me a sample pack for a remix of The Sect project’s track “In the Shadows.” That is what I’ll be working on first. Besides that, I’ve been trying for a long time to finish a collaboration with Corrupt Souls. Marcio Telemetrik once stayed at my place while on tour, and we started a track; since then, we still haven’t managed to finish it. Recently, I wrote a collaborative composition with the musician ASC, and we are now planning to make another track for a full single release on his Covert Operations label. I also still can’t find the time to rework the track “Xeops,” which the Soundtrax label very much wants to release. Collaborations with Desimal are also planned. We want to release a couple of tracks on Vibez recordings. What else… Proket and I, along with Raiden, still can’t finish our collaborative tune. Another release is in preparation on Thermal: the tracks “Searching” and “Fast Cases.” There is also a full EP on Sinuous recordings: the tracks “Dream Catcher,” “It,” “Remove Heaven,” and “Aquarius.” Another single is in preparation on Elp Collective: “Pneumo” on one side and “Impulse” on the other (a very old track—it’s already about three years old). Besides all this, naturally, I am writing solo material. And not only drum and bass. Right now I’m finishing an electro album, which will be released only in Ukraine for local distribution.**
Damn… By the way, what do you think about the situation in the global vinyl market and the prospects for MP3 labels?
Well, I think the drum and bass vinyl market may shrink noticeably in the foreseeable future, but as for MP3 labels, I can’t predict anything yet—it’s too early.
I see. You are quite a versatile artist. Besides music, what do your interests extend to—for example, film or literature?
In music, drum and bass is what inspires me first and foremost. It is the main thing; it is my professional activity. Secondly, as I said, there is electro. Besides that, I’m currently looking for a female vocalist for a trip-hop/electro project. In general, I’m interested in recording live instruments; I sometimes record guitar, for example, and get involved in all sorts of things. I’d also like to work on soundtracks for films or games. A soundtrack for the game Midnight Club for PlayStation is supposed to come out soon. Moving Shadow is handling it. As for things beyond music, I’m somewhat interested in design. I even worked at a company for three years once. Now I just take on small design jobs, things like flyers.
Are you currently working anywhere officially? Or is the money you earn from music enough for you?
Some people recently offered me money to go back to doing design, but I turned them down. I want to concentrate fully on music. And besides, yes, I have enough. I quit my regular job about three years ago.
That, incidentally, is an excellent incentive for many aspiring musicians…
Yes. And, generally speaking, a job takes up a huge amount of time and energy.
Agreed. But I still can’t understand how you find the time and motivation to work on so many projects with your touring schedule.
There’s actually quite enough time. Touring usually happens on weekends, and on weekdays I do absolutely nothing except get together with friends in the evening, play football on the console, and entertain myself in various ways. So the time situation is fine.
Listen, you are actually a role model for the younger generation, yet you are promoting an absolutely irresponsible, slacker lifestyle. I think we should promote more healthy sex.
Ha-ha! Well, the process of writing music itself takes a great deal of mental and even physical energy. Especially if you do it every day. Constantly sitting at the computer and so on… And as for slacking off… I can afford to slack off a little. After all, you don’t always feel like writing drum and bass in the morning. If nothing inspires me, I simply won’t do a damn thing. Winter, problems in the family or with a girlfriend, for example—your desire to create disappears on its own. So writing music is always affected by outside factors.
OK, the main thing is not to overdo it :) Finally, as a grown-up and accomplished person, tell today’s young clubbers something heartfelt and instructive.
From the heart?… I would like to wish young people the drive to pursue their calling. Find it and shape your own identity. Secondly, I sincerely wish that you would not get hung up on drugs. They destroy your personality as such, and you will achieve nothing worthwhile in this life if you keep doing that shit. Thirdly, of course, I wish everyone would find their true love—a person who will be your friend in life and in sex—your other half, constancy, and love. I know from experience that this is the basis of personal harmony.
Thank you for the interview, and good luck!
** At the time of publication, Sunchase’s discography had already changed: the EP on Sinuous had been released as a promo. In addition, Alexander reports that he is working on a single for the Cyberfunk music label.
Interview: Flame
