ADAM GERRARD (jumping in): Yeah, I was listening to a Finnish artist that a record store guy from Australia sent me and when that finished it started playing Sgoraet by Kedr and I was blown away.
Kedr Livanskiy Sgoraet (Burning Down)
Mike, had you traveled to Russia before?
Kedr Livanskiy On The Road Again (Burning Down)
KEDR LIVANSKIY: I was born on October 4, 1990. It was a very interesting but critical time for Russia—a time of great change. The Soviet Union was no more, and old values were anathematized because of the reconstruction. Of course the big problem was perpetual drunkenness—people would drink themselves to death.
In my early teens no one seemed to understand me in this world (I thought), so I read Washington Irving novels and listened to The Cure. At around 20 years old I felt a real need to find myself, so I entered the directing department of the Moscow School of New Cinema. At the same time, electronic music fascinated me completely.
Kedr Livanskiy
A small circle of my friends formed around a mutual interest in music. We always went to concerts together—mostly international artists like Inga Copeland, DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad, Legowelt, Death Grips, Florian Kupfer, Dean Blunt, etc. It wasn’t long before we organized the community and DIY record label known as John’s Kingdom. It’s not only about music; it’s also a channel for art, videos, and lifestyle. Now it’s the most alive and honest thing in Moscow.
My music is strongly inspired by Autechre, Aphex Twin, and Boards of Canada, but with the lyrics and mood of Mazzy Star. I admire contemporaries Inga Copeland and Laurel Halo. However, my songs are more pop-leaning because of the powerful influence MTV had on my adolescence.
Friday, December 4th, Le Bain presents That Work featuring DJ sets by Mike Simonetti (2MR) and That Work. Doors 10pm. The Standard, High Line.
