Èíòåðâüþ Gaydarradio (UK)



Chances are you’ve never heard of a certain Sergey Lazarev. In his homeland of Russia, however, he’s known in the business called show as a star of some considerable wattage. Starting out as an actor in prominent theatre productions in Moscow, he quickly garnered a strong rep as The Next Big Thing. From there, he followed the familiar rising star road to multimedia success and decided to try his luck at that pop star malarkey, first as a member of the band Neposedi (which also hatched the pseudo-Sapphic twosome Tatu) and then as one half of the duo Smash!

Now solo, he’s bidding for world domination and is propelling himself into the increasingly cluttered and competitive global music market with his debut effort outside Russia, ‘Shattered Dreams’, out on 16 July - hence doing the press promo rounds.

Trouble is my Russian is limited to ordering vodka and I’d wager his English isn’t Oxford Uni standard and an interpreter has been despatched to sit in and help with the flow of bon mots, which could make for the most awkward threesome since Adam, Eve and the apple and we all know what happened there.

As it turns out, I needn’t have worried as Sergey is friendly, charming and, even though he keeps apologising for it, his English would shame most of us monolingual Brits. The interpreter only interjects the odd word or phrase as well as adding a dash of Bond villain to proceedings.

So as Sergey embarks on brave new musical worlds, he tells us what it’s like to be mega-famous in Russia, how he feels about being a sex symbol and why he wants to be the next Robbie Williams.

After having had so much success in Russia, how are you feeling about launching your pop career in the UK?
To be honest, I’m really, really nervous. I’m so nervous because it’s very difficult to break through. It’s hard to get new fans, to get people to take notice basically. It’s like starting out all over again - like being back at the beginning of my career in a way.

It’s difficult because in my country I have so much success and fame it’s strange to come here and nobody knows who I am and you have to really fight to get your music noticed. Over here, I’m nobody [laughs.]

As it’s so hard to launch a successful pop career, why did you want to come to the UK to aim for chart success?
Basically, it’s because Britain has such an exciting music scene. There are a lot of good quality artists here. Actually a lot of music around the world is influenced by what’s going on musically in Britain and I think that’s why British music is so well-respected so I wanted maybe to be a part of that. Also, I want my music to be heard in other countries and not just inside Russia.

“I won an award last year for Best Sex Symbol in Russia, or something like that, and it was very flattering, but you can’t take these things too seriously. But everyone likes to be told they look nice, no? I don’t think I’m anything special, though.”

With that in mind, how would you describe your sound to anyone who hasn’t heard it?
It’s definitely pop music, but very high-quality pop music. It mixes R&B with dance with sometimes even hip-hop. I like lots of different types of music myself so I want my music to reflect different styles and influences.

Who are your musical influences then?
I like Robbie Williams. I’d love to have a career like him and he makes music that I really think is high-quality pop. I’d love to be like him, actually. I like Justin Timberlake. Madonna I like, too. I really like Keane at the moment and Coldplay so I like lots of different sorts of music. What I listen to depends very much on my mood really.

Have you always wanted to be a pop star?
I always wanted to be an artist of some sort. I started to sing when I was eight and now I’m 24 so all my life really I’ve been singing and performing so much so I have no idea what I could do in life if I couldn’t perform.

So if you weren’t a pop star you couldn’t imagine doing any other career?
When I was six, I went to sports school so maybe I could have been a gymnast or something like that, but now I’m too old [laughs.] I can’t imagine doing an ordinary job, though; it would have to something that involved performance of some kind.

How would describe the pop scene in Russia compared with other countries around the world?
It’s different a little bit over there because it’s more experimental and progressive in a sense. In Russia, there are a lot of exciting new artists becoming well-known and they’re making some great music that I hope one day will get more attention from the rest of the world.

In Russia you’re very famous; what do you like and dislike about fame?
Well, it’s funny but when you’re so well-known you can’t even walk around, just go for a walk like everyone else, so since I’ve become popular I have to drive everywhere. I can’t just leave my house and go shopping like normal people. I spend all my days in a car which can get a bit boring. That’s why I’m enjoying being in London so much: I can just take a walk around the city if I want.

The positive side of fame is I get to do what I’ve wanted to do all my life. And I do love being an artist; I love the touring - live performance is very special because you get to see your audience enjoying themselves - making videos, doing interviews like this [I think this last one might be a lie, but very sweet nonetheless], I like to meet my fans. I enjoy all aspects of being a pop star. There are only a few negative things about being famous.

“[In Russia] I have so much success and fame it’s strange to come here and nobody knows who I am and you have to really fight to get your music noticed. Over here, I’m nobody.”

You took part in the Russian version of Dancing On Ice. How did that come about?
Well, the producers asked me and I just thought it was a good opportunity to try something different, to perhaps challenge myself by doing something new. Also, I wanted to learn how to ice-skate but had never gotten round to it; I’d never had the time, I suppose.

The show is very big in Russia so it was a good way to introduce myself to a whole new audience because mostly it’s younger people who listen to my music but doing the show made new audiences aware of me and what I’m doing as an artist. I discovered a new side of myself as well because it really pushed me in a new way. And I came second, which isn’t bad, no?

You say doing Dancing On Ice changed your fan base. How would you describe your average fan?
Like I said, it’s definitely younger kids, teenagers generally, but it is split quite equally between guys and girls. After appearing on Dancing On Ice, though, I’ve noticed there are people of different ages coming to my shows so I think my fans have become broader.

What’s it like to be a sex symbol?
[Laughs] That’s not for me to say really, but of course it’s a nice compliment. I don’t know, it’s strange, but I don’t think of myself that way, for sure. I won an award last year for Best Sex Symbol in Russia, or something like that, and it was very flattering, but you can’t take these things too seriously. But everyone likes to be told they look nice, no? I don’t think I’m anything special, though.


Which, actually isn’t true because I think in an industry where egos run more rampant than most, his attitude is wholly refreshing and I wouldn’t bet against him translating his home grown Russian success into transnational appeal. Sergey may not believe he’s anything special, but he has the charm, the looks, the talent and, most importantly, the drive to get the job done.

So, there you have it. You heard it here first: Sergey Lazarev, the next pop star is born.

If you want to find out more about Sergey or get a sneak preview of the video for his debut UK single, Shattered Dreams, out now, visit www.sergeymusic.co.uk

By: Jason Jones

http://gaydarradio.com

Êàê Âû îïèøåòå âàøó ìóçûêó êàæäîìó êòî åå íå ñëûøàë?
Îïðåäåëåííî ïîï-ìóçûêà, íî î÷åíü âûñîêîêà÷åñòâåííóþ ïîï-ìóçûêà. Ýòî ñìåñü R&B ñ òàíöåâàëüíîé è èíîãäà äàæå õèï-õîï . ß ëþáëþ ñàì ìàññó äðóãèõ òèïîâ ìóçûêè, òàê ÷òî ÿ õî÷ó, ÷òîáû ìîÿ ìóçûêà îòðàæàëà äðóãèå ñòèëè è âëèÿíèÿ.

Êàêèå âàøè ïðåäïî÷òåíèÿ â ìóçûêå?
ß ëþáëþ Robbie Williams. ß áû õîòåë èìåòü êàðüåðó ïîäîáíóþ åãî è îí äåëàåò ìóçûêó,êîòîðóþ ÿ äåéñòâèòåëüíî ñ÷èòàþ âûñîêîêà÷åñòâåííîé ïîï-ìóçûêîé.ß áû äåéñòâèòåëüíî õîòåë áûòü òàêèì êàê îí. Ìíå íðàâèòñÿ Justin Timberlake òîæå.Òàêæå ëþáëþ Ìàäîííó. ß äåéñòâèòåëüíî ëþáëþ Keane â äàííîå âðåìÿ è Coldplay, òàê ÷òî ÿ ëþáëþ ìàññó ðàçíîé ìóçûêè.Òî,÷òî ÿ ñëóøàþ î÷åíü çàâèñèò îò ìîåãî íàñòðîåíèÿ .

Âû âñåãäà õîòåëè áûòü ïîï-çâåçäîé?
ß âñåãäà õîòåë áûòü àðòèñòîì îïðåäåëåííîãî íàïðàâëåíèÿ. ß íà÷àë ïåòü êîãäà ìíå áûëî âîñåìü è òåïåðü ìíå 24, òàê ÷òî âñþ ìîþ æèçíü ÿ äåéñòâèòåëüíî ïîþ è âûñòóïàþ ìíîãî,ïîýòîìó ó ìåíÿ íåò äàæå ìûñëè î òîì,÷òî ÿ ìîã áû äåëàòü â æèçíè åñëè áû ÿ íå âûñòóïàë.

Ïîëó÷àåòñÿ åñëè áû âû íå ñòàëè ïîï-çâåçäîé,òî äàæå íå ñìîãëè áû ïðåäñòàâèòü ÷åì áû çàíèìàëèñü åùå?
Êîãäà ìíå áûëî øåñòü,ÿ õîäèë â ñïîðòèâíóþ øêîëó,ïîýòîìó,âîçìîæíî,ÿ ìîã áû áûòü ãèìíàñòîì èëè êåì-íèáóäü âðîäå ýòîãî,íî ñåé÷àñ ÿ óæå ñëèøêîì ñòàð [ñìååòñÿ.] ß íå ìîãó ïðåäñòàâèòü ñåáå äåëàþùåãî îáû÷íóþ ðàáîòó;

Êàê áû âû îïèñàëè ïîï-ñöåíó â Ðîññèþ ïî ñðàâíåíèþ ñ äðóãèìè ñòðàíàìè ìèðà?
IÒàì íåìíîæêî âñå ïî-äðóãîìó ïîñêîëüêó îíà áîëåå ýêñïåðèìåíòàëüíà è ïðîãðåññèâíà â íåêîòîðîì ñìûñëå.  Ðîññèè, ñóùåñòâóåò ìíîãî íîâûõ àðòèñòîâ,êîòîðûå ñòàíîâÿòñÿ õîðîøî èçâåñòíûìè è îíè äåëàþò î÷åíü õîðîøóþ ìóçûêó, êîòîðàÿ îäíàæäû ïîëó÷èò áîëüøå âíèìàíèÿ â ìèðå.

 Ðîññèè âû î÷åíü çíàìåíèòû; ÷òî Âàì íðàâèòñÿ è íå íðàâèòñÿ â ñëàâå?
Íó,ýòî çàáàâíî,íî êîãäà òû òàê õîðîøî óçíàâàåì,òû íå ìîæåøü äàæå âûéòè è ïðîãóëÿòüñÿ,êàê âñå îñòàëüíûå,ïîýòîìó ñ òåõ ïîð,êàê ÿ ñòàë çíàìåíèòûì,ÿ âûíóæäåí åçäèòü íà ìàøèíå âåçäå.ß íå ìîãó ïðîñòî âûéòè èç äîìà è ïîéòè ïî ìàãàçèíàì,êàê íîðìàëüíûå ëþäè.ß ïðîâîæó âñå ñâîè äíè â ñâîåé ìàøèíå,÷òî ñòàíîâèòñÿ íåìíîãî ñêó÷íûì.âîò ïî÷åìó ìíå òàê íðàâèòñÿ áûâàòü â Ëîíäîíå: ÿ ìîãó ïðîñòî ãóëÿòü ñòîëüêî,ñêîëüêî ìíå çàõî÷åòñÿ.

Ïîëîæèòåëüíàÿ ñòîðîíà ñëàâû - ß äåëàþ òî, ÷òî ÿ õîòåë äåëàòü âñþ ñâîþ æèçíü. È ìíå íðàâèòñÿ áûòü àðòèñòîì; ß ëþáëþ ãàñòðîëè - æèâîå èñïîëíåíèå î÷åíü îñîáåííîå, ïîñêîëüêó âû ìîæåòå âèäåòü âàøó àóäèòîðèþ - ñíèìàòü âèäåî, äàâàòü èíòåðâüþ ïîäîáíî ýòîìó [ß äóìàþ ïîñëåäíåå ìîãëî áûòü ëîæüþ, íî î÷åíü ïðèÿòíî òåì íå ìåíåå], ß ëþáëþ âñòðå÷àòüñÿ ñî ñâîèìè ôàíàòàìè.ß íàñëàæäàþñü âñåìè àñïåêòàìè ïîï- çâåçäû. Åñòü òîëüêî íåìíîãî îòðèöàòåëüíûõ âåùåé â âîçìîæíîñòè áûòü çíàìåíèòûì.

[ Ðîññèè] ß èìåþ òàê ìíîãî óñïåõà è ñëàâû,î÷åíü ñòðàííî íàõîäèòüñÿ çäåñü, è íèêòî íå çíàåò êòî ÿ è òû äîëæåí äåéñòâèòåëüíî áîðîòüñÿ,÷òîáû òâîÿ ìóçûêà áûëà çàìå÷åíà.Çäåñü ÿ íèêòî.

Âû ïðèíèìàëè ó÷àñòèå â Ðóññêîé âåðñèè Òàíöå íà ëüäó. Êàê îíè ïðîõîäèëè?
Õîðîøî, ïðîäþñåðû ïðèãëàñèëè ìåíÿ è ÿ ïðîñòî ïîäóìàë ÷òî ýòî áûëî áû õîðîøåé âîçìîæíîñòüþ ïîïðîáîâàòü ÷òî-òî äðóãîå, óâèäåòü ñåáÿ â íîâîì àìïëóà.Òàêæå ÿ õîòåë íàó÷èòüÿ êàòàòüñÿ êàê ôèãóðèñò,íî íèêîãäà íå èìåë âîçìîæíîñòè.Ó ìåíÿ íèêîãäà íå áûëî âðåìåíè.

Ýòî øîó î÷åíü êðóïíîå â Ðîññèè,ïîýòîìó ýòî áûëî õîðîøåé âîçìîæíîñòüþ ïðåäñòàâèòü ñåáÿ íîâîé àóäèòîðèè,ò.ê. ïî áîëüøåé ÷àñòè ëþäè,êîòîðûå ñëóøàþò ìîþ ìóçûêó-ìîëîäûå ëþäè,íî øîó ïîìîãëî ïðèâëå÷ü íîâûõ çðèòåëåé è ïîêàçàòü èì íà ÷òî ÿ ñïîñîáåí êàê àðòèñò.ß îòêðûë íîâûå ñòîðîíû â ñåáå è ýòî äåéñòâèòåëüíî âûòîëêíóëî ìåíÿ íà íîâûé ïóòü. È ÿ çàíÿë 2 ìåñòî,÷òî íå ïëîõî,íå òàê ëè?

Âû ãîâîðèòå Òàíöû íà Ëüäó èçìåíèëè ñîñòàâ âàøèõ ôàíàòîâ.Êàê áû âû îïèñàëè âàøèõ ïðèâû÷íûõ ïîêëîííèêîâ?
Êàê ÿ è ãîâîðèë, ýòî îïðåäåëåííî ìàëåíüêèå äåòè, îáû÷íî ïîäðîñòêè , íî ðàçäåëåííûå äîâîëüíî îäèíàêîâî ìåæäó ïàðíÿìè è äåâóøêàìè. Ïîñëå ïîÿâëåíèÿ â Òàíöàõ íà Ëüäó, âñå-æå, ÿ çàìåòèë,÷òî íà ìîè âûñòóïëåíèÿ ñòàëè ïðèõîäèòü ëþäè ðàçíûõ âîçðàñòîâ,òàê ÷òî ÿ äóìàþ ÷èñëåííîñòü ìîèõ ôàíàòîâ ðàñòåò)))

Êàêîãî áûòü ñåêñ-ñèìâîëîì?
[Ñìååòñÿ] Ýòî íå äëÿ ìåíÿ, åñëè ÷åñòíî, íî êîíå÷íî ýòî õîðîøèé êîìïëèìåíò. ß íå çíàþ, ýòî ñòðàííî, íî ÿ ñåáÿ òàêîâûì íå ñ÷èòàþ. ß çàâîåâàë íàãðàäó â ïðîøëîì ãîäó êàê Íàèëó÷øåãî Ñåêñ- Ñèìâîëà â Ðîññèè, èëè ïðèáëèçèòåëüíî òàê, è ýòî î÷åíü ëüñòèëî, íî íå íóæíî âîñïðèíèìàòü òàêîå âñåðüåç. Íî âñå ëþáÿò, êîãäà î íèõ ãîâîðÿò,÷òî îíè õîðîøî âûãëÿäÿò,íå òàê ëè? Íî ÿ íå äóìàþ,÷òî ÿ êàêîé-òî îñîáåííûé!!!