CHAIN:
We've dug up some old pictures of you looking like a street thug, or even a poor student obsessed with junk food. Now you are a very handsome and strapping man straight out of a glossy zine cover. When did you completely transformed? It seems that happened really fast! What's the deal?
DJ MOS:
Haha, it happened when I realized that black is the only color that looks good on me. All my life I've been buying bright clothing, because it looked awesome on other people or just in the shop window, but not on me judging from my old photos. Today my entire wardrobe is black and 50 shades of grey.
CHAIN:
What about your style at the beginning:
1. Who or what impacted your image?
2. Who were your music influencers?
3. When did you first realize you were unique?
1. Who or what impacted your image?
2. Who were your music influencers?
3. When did you first realize you were unique?
DJ MOS:
When I was young we had two types of people - rappers and rockers. I couldn't decide so I mixed them . Also, I looked up to american extremes like inline skaters and snowboarders.
At that time, in the late 90's, I listened to 311, early Sugar Ray, Kid Rock, Green day, later – Russian punk-rock band "Smekh" (eng. Laugh, rus. Смех).
I didn't get into rap until I listened to the Soundbombing 2 compilation.
I tried so hard to be different. I did my best. Back then in Novosibirsk, only informals or gays wore earrings, and I did too. I just enjoyed being totally confusing. I mean, come on, if you're not a punk or a gay, but you wear earrings - who are you then? In the 90's it was easy to stand out in the crowd. Plus, I was searching for music in extreme videos from the US. Only a few people bothered the same way.
At that time, in the late 90's, I listened to 311, early Sugar Ray, Kid Rock, Green day, later – Russian punk-rock band "Smekh" (eng. Laugh, rus. Смех).
I didn't get into rap until I listened to the Soundbombing 2 compilation.
I tried so hard to be different. I did my best. Back then in Novosibirsk, only informals or gays wore earrings, and I did too. I just enjoyed being totally confusing. I mean, come on, if you're not a punk or a gay, but you wear earrings - who are you then? In the 90's it was easy to stand out in the crowd. Plus, I was searching for music in extreme videos from the US. Only a few people bothered the same way.
CHAIN:
Let's go forward to some of the dramatic events that deservedly pushed your career up. As we can see from the internet you have already mentioned that your success story was full of joy and happiness. But was it really so smooth?
DJ MOS:
Life is working on yourself. All this success - it's all about fortune . But you have to be ready for your fortune. If the fortune comes and you have nothing to show for it, it leaves you and will never come back.
CHAIN:
A guy from Novosibirsk, who started as a snowboarder, grows into Noize MC's DJ in a few years. How can one remain ambitious in this situation, when everything is already achieved?! NOIZE MC! – the top artist of that time (well, he still is). Why wasn't this enough for you?
DJ MOS:
Questions about Noize have always been my favorite! Hey Vanya!
When I joined the band with Vanya, every free second I was over the moon. First of all, it was: "What the fuck are you fucking serious?! I'm in the Noize MC band! Crazy shit!" Secondly, I'm in a rock band, and this is completely different energy. Third, my salary had increased, and this is a completely different standard of living. It seemed like I had to live and have fun. But after a while, I just couldn't have fun from all of this. According to the music aspects, I didn't follow the way our band was going . I didn't want to stay with the band just for the money or action. Well, that was it. Our paths diverged.
When I joined the band with Vanya, every free second I was over the moon. First of all, it was: "What the fuck are you fucking serious?! I'm in the Noize MC band! Crazy shit!" Secondly, I'm in a rock band, and this is completely different energy. Third, my salary had increased, and this is a completely different standard of living. It seemed like I had to live and have fun. But after a while, I just couldn't have fun from all of this. According to the music aspects, I didn't follow the way our band was going . I didn't want to stay with the band just for the money or action. Well, that was it. Our paths diverged.
CHAIN:
A few jumps pushed you into space – and now there're the victory on the Russian stage of a huge competition and the first trip to the States... Judging by the previous interviews you hardly believed in all this stuff.
Looking back, do you think it was just a coincidence or not? And Why?
Looking back, do you think it was just a coincidence or not? And Why?
DJ MOS:
My life is all about desires. Energy is given for the task. When the task is completed, energy is given to match something else. This is how I live. This does not apply to relationships with family and friends.
CHAIN:
Please tell us a little more specifically about the working process. How would you describe your creative schedule at that time in a couple of sentences? Has the 10,000 hour rule been triggered? Or is the quality more important than the quantity?
DJ MOS:
I think that a skill is just a lot of practice, and achievements depend on how you manage your skill.
CHAIN:
Well, of course, even the People's Choice Award among the best DJs in the world was not enough for you! Since that day,
have you started touring and playing at 10? 100 times more often? Apparently, the desire to share your wealth of skills and knowledges has come and ... The academy has opened! How did you not go crazy?
have you started touring and playing at 10? 100 times more often? Apparently, the desire to share your wealth of skills and knowledges has come and ... The academy has opened! How did you not go crazy?
DJ MOS:
Winning Soundclash and going to Vegas were an explosive mixture of successful acquaintances, long and hard work on myself, and a bit of luck. I know for sure: if in due time I didn't get to know VJ Chuck by chance, if I didn't develop an incredibly cool and responsive audience during my entire DJ career and, most importantly, if I didn't know how to DJ well, none of this would have happened in any form. Even more so, the victory would not have happened.
The academy did not open immediately. It grew out of a small DJ group in VK. Growth was slow and smooth, so my head was not dizzy. My mental health was in turbulence. I was and still am a bad businessman. Now this "muscle" is being pumped.
The academy did not open immediately. It grew out of a small DJ group in VK. Growth was slow and smooth, so my head was not dizzy. My mental health was in turbulence. I was and still am a bad businessman. Now this "muscle" is being pumped.
CHAIN:
This is where we would like to know about your psychological strategy back then: how did you cope with the stress? And what has changed since then? Has it become easier / harder?
DJ MOS:
The topic of mental problems is complex. It was always difficult for me. But, as my friend said: "You are unsinkable!" – and there is some truth to that. Somehow there is the light inside of me burning no matter what, and this makes me go forward in spite of all of the winds blowing in my face.
CHAIN:
We're almost done. Just a few final questions. Today, you seem to have gotten into self-development again, have finished your studies in Los Angeles, partially have changed the type of musical activity, have lurked in creative chaos and are probably working on something global. Tell us a few words about this. Or a couple of dozen words – as you wish.
DJ MOS:
Everything in the world is relative. In front of me I have so many examples of people whose success and achievements encourage and inspire me as much as possible: Yura Bardash, Post Malone and my homie Slava Marlow! I am just a trembling creature in comparison with them! Therefore, there is still a lot of head-spinning stuff ahead.
This is what I noticed: if you want to throw away your undertaking, tell everyone about it! So just watch. The fire inside of me is still burning!
This is what I noticed: if you want to throw away your undertaking, tell everyone about it! So just watch. The fire inside of me is still burning!
CHAIN:
Wow, Slava Marlow! Our audience is ambivalent about him. What can you say about his work?
DJ MOS:
I can't say anything bad about Slava at all. Even if I will try with all my might, there is nothing to say. He's cool! What is the bit supposed to do? Rock. His beats rock. Everything else is judgment call.
CHAIN:
And about the training. What should a rookie DJ spend their time on today?
DJ MOS:
I would recommend to a beginner, to pump up the skill, Tiktok and practical intelligence.
Author: ILONA LISOTINA
translator: Vera Tarasova
Corrector: Diana Los
translator: Vera Tarasova
Corrector: Diana Los
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