Interview with Zeki Min (The Driftwood Fairytales, LOOK MUM, NO HANDS!)

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Zeki is the singer and guitar player of the German melodic punk band called "The Driftwood Fairytales". If you have't heard this band, check their stuff at Bandcamp! It is totally worth listening! This year Zeki started his acoustic project "LOOK MUM, NO HANDS!" and made a trip to Russia. I was lucky to spend some time with him and he is an absolutely amazing person! We arranged to make this interview when he got home, and now, here it is! I want to thank him for answering my questions and special thanks go to Marina for translating this interview in to Russian in case, if you don't understand English!

Hey, Zeki! How are things going?

Hey Max, I arrived home safe but the weather sucks here in Germany. It was much better in Russia! 

First off, could you tell what inspired you to perform solo?

Actually, it was the fact that I always wanted to go to Russia! It never really worked out with one of my bands. Then I had these two weeks of holidays and I just asked Dima if he could book a tour just for me, hehe. He could, and thanks to him, LOOK MUM, NO HANDS! was born.

How was the name “Look Mum, No Hands!” created, and what is the idea of such a name?

I just thought it is a funny name, plus you can interpret a lot into it! I just associate a grand time with it. Like when you are young and you just do things without having any concerns or reconsiderations.

What made you go on tour through Russia? What expectations did you have before going here?

I always wanted to come since I’ve heard from other bands how great it is! Bands like Tackleberry who were in Russia 6 or so years ago. Plus, with my bands I toured with bands like What We Feel and Purgen and always heard that the Russian punk kids would love to see more German musicians coming over.

Before going I was really looking forward to meeting a lot of people I only knew through the internet. However, I also had a lot of concerns because of the things you hear. I know that Russia has a big Nazi problem and it would be a lie if I told you that this left me cold before coming to you. Still I thought it will be a great time to do it, especially on my own, only with my great buddy, Aleksey. By the way, a great hug for him right now! 

 

Did your expectations turn into reality?

I have to say that the weirdest thing maybe was that it wasn’t that weird after all. Of course there are a lot of things that are strange at first, like the long travels in the night trains and the buses, but after getting used to it, it was pretty damn great! Ah, and we didn’t have any problems with Nazis on this tour.

Were the Russian shows a great success? What show did you like best?

As the Russian concerts were my first solo shows, besides one I had done before in Berlin, I was pretty amazed how great it all went! The people were so incredibly grateful and I had the feeling that most of them really liked it. I had tears in my eyes during a lot of the shows. It is really hard to pick one single show as I would depreciate the others and that wouldn’t be fair, as all of them were awesome!

To me it was a unique experience, and I think I am going to carry on playing some solo shows every once in a while.

Are Russian shows highly different from German?

No, they are not exactly different. Yet, I had the feeling the people are more grateful in Russia and I think it is important for you to keep that up!! People in Germany sometimes are just so overfed. Plus, as a musician you can’t drink for free in Russia whereas in Germany you can do that in most places.  I even had to pay for my water a lot of times during the Russian tour. However, the people coming to the shows are more or less the same. By which I mean, kids who are interested in music unlike the mainstream and that still carries a message. The message at least is far more important to me than the genre or the style of the music. Even though I played mostly at punk rock or hardcore shows, I totally had the feeling people understood my music as well.

At every show you played several covers. How do you choose the song for a cover and what is the choice based on?

As I told you it was a tour on short notice and I didn’t have much time to plan anything. I just chose some songs that I really liked and that mean a lot to me. For example, the Rocky Votolato song “Suicide Medicine” was on the first mix tape my girlfriend made for me. It was the first song on that tape, and I didn’t listen to any other songs of it as I played this one on repeat all the time. These are the only I tried, and that’s all I can do. I hope to be able to do some more covers in the future. Maybe I’ll even record some solo stuff. I don’t know, we will see.

Could you tell about the most amazing and unforgettable moment that happened to you on tour?

This is hard because many special things happened like every day. But I always loved it when the people at the shows were singing the songs with me. Especially in Kazan and Perm the people really screamed along to my songs that they have never heard before. It was a truly amazing experience for me and I will never forget that!!

How did you spend your time on the road?

I like to read, but I also slept a lot as it is sometimes exhausting to be on the road. And Aleksey and me talked a lot.

What are your top 5 songs to listen to while being on the road?

I didn’t listen to music a lot while I was on this tour. I preferred reading this time. However, when I listen to music on tour, I choose folk and hip hop music over punk and hardcore. I really love THE AVETT BROTHERS, TRACY CHAPMAN, MUMFORD AND SONS and of course, THE WU TANG CLAN. And that is the absolute truth, buddy!

What general impressions do you have after the tour?

Oh, I really liked the people I met and I hope to be coming back next year, with or without the band. I am happy to be at home, to sleep in my own bed and to have my girlfriend and my dog in my arms again. However, I will be coming back for sure!

What are your future plans as an acoustic performer and what plans does “The Driftwood Fairytales” have?

As it was great fun for me to perform solo, I think I’ll keep that up over here, if I have the opportunity to do it. With THE DRIFTWOOD FAIRYTALES we just finished recording our new album. It is going to be released in September this year. And you are the first to know the name buddy, it will be entitled “PHANTOMS”. It is gonna be quite different from the first one as the folky influence will be much greater than in “TRAILER PARKS AND UNICORNS”. However, it is just what we like at the moment and I think it is going even more into that direction in the future.

As I told you, I don’t really know if I will ever record something solo, but you’re going to be one of the first to know about that. I have two songs that I just played for the Russian tour all on my own. These will maybe be THE DRIFTWOOD FAIRYTALES songs soon, but you never know…

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I just like to say thanks to everyone who made this incredible trip possible! And Max, thank you also so much for this interview! I hope to see you all next year!!!

Bless your hearts!

LOOK MUM, NO HANDS! - Zeki

Перевод:

Привет, Цеки! Как дела?

Привет, Макс! Я благополучно добрался до дома, хотя погода здесь не радует. В России было гораздо лучше!

Во-первых, не мог бы ты рассказать, что тебя вдохновило на сольные выступления?

На самом деле, это и было причиной моей поездки в Россию! С другими группами прежде не получалось. У меня был двухнедельный отпуск, и я спросил Диму, сможет ли он сделать мне тур. Он сделал, и, благодаря ему, появился LOOK MUM, NO HANDS!

Как появилось название LOOK MUM, NO HANDS! и что послужило основой для создания этого имени?

Я просто подумал, что это забавное название, к тому же каждый может понять его по-своему! У меня с ним ассоциируется замечательная пора – когда мы были детьми и беззаботно проводили время!

Что заставило тебя поехать в тур по России? Каковы были твои ожидания перед поездкой?

Я всегда хотел поехать в Россию, с тех пор как слышал, что другим группам там понравилось! Такие группы как Tackleberry были в России примерно 6 лет назад. Вдобавок, я ездил в туры с группами What We Feel и Пурген и всегда слышал, что русские панки хотели бы видеть больше немецких музыкантов.

Перед туром я ожидал встреч со многими людьми, с которыми общался только по Интернету. Тем не менее, у меня были кое-какие волнения по поводу того, что в России существует  проблема нацизма, и было бы несправедливо отметить, что меня это не беспокоило. Все же, я думал, что поездка будет отличной, особенно с моим замечательным другом Алексеем. Кстати, большой ему привет!

Твои ожидания оправдались?

Должен отметить, самым странным  было то, что все не было таким странным, как я думал. Конечно, на первый взгляд многое может показаться необычным, как, например, долгие ночные поездки на поезде и автобусе, но привыкнув к такому, это становится даже прекрасным! А, ну и проблем с нацистами тоже не было.

Выступления на Российской сцене имели успех? Какой концерт тебе понравился больше всего?

Сольные концерты в России были моим первым опытом, кроме одного концерта в Берлине, и я был приятно удивлен, как все здорово прошло! Люди были невероятно благодарны, и мне казалось, что большинству из них действительно понравилось. У меня были слезы в глазах на протяжении почти всех своих выступлений. Было бы трудно выделить одно наиболее понравившееся шоу, поскольку я не хочу недооценивать остальные, что было бы несправедливо, ведь они все были просто крутыми!

Для меня это необыкновенный опыт, и я думаю, что буду выступать сольно время от времени.

Сильно ли отличаются российские концерты от концертов в Германии?

Не думаю, что они совсем отличаются. Но, у меня было чувство, что в России люди более благодарны, и вам стоит продолжать в том же духе! В Германии люди просто «зажрались». К тому же, музыканты в России не могут пить за бесплатно, в то время как в Германии это возможно во многих местах. Мне даже приходилось самому покупать воду в течение тура. Тем не менее, люди все же везде одинаковы. Я имею в виду тех, кто заинтересован музыкой вне мейнстрима, той, что несет в себе смысл. Смысл для меня особенно важен, нежели жанр или стиль самой музыки. Хотя я выступал в основном на панк и хардкор шоу, я был уверен, что людям понятна моя музыка.

На каждом концерте ты играл несколько каверов. Как ты выбираешь песню для кавера и на чем основан выбор?

Как я уже сказал, это был внезапный тур, и у меня не было достаточно времени, чтобы что-то планировать. Я просто выбрал те песни, которые мне действительно нравятся и значат очень многое для меня. Например, песня Rocky Votolato “Suicide Medicine” была на первом микстейпе, который сделала моя девушка. Это была первая песня, и я все время слушал ее на повторе. Я надеюсь, что в будущем будет больше каверов. Может быть, я и запишу что-нибудь сольно. Посмотрим. 

Расскажи о самом удивительном и незабываемом моменте, произошедшем в туре.

Сложно сказать, потому что каждый день происходило много всего особенного. Но мне всегда нравилось, когда люди пели песни вместе со мной. Особенно в Казани и Перми люди просто орали песни, которые до этого не слышали. Для меня это было по-настоящему круто, и  я никогда этого не забуду!

Как ты проводил  время в дороге?

Мне нравится читать, но также я много спал, так как порой дорога выматывает. И мы с Алексеем много разговаривали.

Назови пять любимых песен, которые тебе нравится слушать в пути.

В туре я слушал не очень много музыки. В это время я больше предпочитаю чтение. Тем не менее, в туре мне больше нравится слушать фолк и хип-хоп, нежели панк и хардкор. Я очень люблю THE AVETT BROTHERS, TRACY CHAPMAN, MUMFORD AND SONS и, конечно же, THE WU TANG CLAN. И это все абсолютная правда!

Какие общие впечатления у тебя сложились после тура?

Мне очень понравились люди, которых я встретил, и я надеюсь вернуться на следующий год, с группой или без. Я счастлив быть дома, спать в своей кровати, быть рядом со своей девушкой и собакой. Но я обязательно вернусь!

Каковы твои планы на будущее в качестве сольного исполнителя, и какие планы у “The Driftwood Fairytales”?

Мне понравилось выступать сольно, и я думаю, что продолжу в том же духе, если будет возможность. С THE DRIFTWOOD FAIRYTALES мы только что завершили запись нового альбома. Он выйдет в сентябре этого года. И ты первый, кто узнает его название, он будет называться “PHANTOMS”. Он будет немного отличаться от первого, так как влияние фолка на нем больше чем на “TRAILER PARKS AND UNICORNS”. Но, это то, что нам сейчас нравится, и мы будем придерживаться этого направления в будущем.

Как я уже сказал, я не знаю, запишу ли  что-нибудь сольно, но ты будешь первым, кто об этом узнает. Есть две новые песни, которые я играл только в Российском туре. Возможно, они станут песнями THE DRIFTWOOD FAIRYTALES, но кто знает…

Ты хочешь что-нибудь добавить?

Мне просто хочется выразить благодарность всем, кто сделал эту невероятную поездку возможной! И спасибо тебе, Макс, за интервью! Надеюсь увидеть вас всех в следующем году!!!

Всего хорошего!

LOOK MUM, NO HANDS! - Zeki

Interview with Misha Hodyrev (The Wild Rover)

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Misha from the band “The Wild Rover” kindly agreed to be interviewed and I’m really proud of that. “The Wild Rover” plays punk rock with powerful vocals and strong lyrics. Honestly, it is one of the best Russian bands and one day they will take over the world! You may check and download their stuff for free at their bandcamp (link is given above). Incredible music and great guys!

Hello Misha! How are you?

Hello, Maksim. Thank you I’m fine. Recent months were hard for me, but now I’m trying to catch the luck and do more than possible.

Let’s start from the very beginning. Please introduce yourself and other members of the band.

My name is Misha, I sing most of the songs and play guitar, Sasha plays lead guitar and sings, Igor plays bass and sings (he sings the lead in “the song”) and Pasha beats out the hell from drums. Our band is The Wild Rover and we are from Perm, Russia.

Tell a brief story about forming of “The Wild Rover”

The Wild Rover started at the end of 2009. First it was an acoustic side-project of my previous band The Pretty Green. I wrote several songs that didn’t fit the band and that was the only way to introduce them to the people. After several shows The Wild Rover became a full squad punk rock band. Igor joined on bass, and The Pretty Green’s drummer Misha Kobelev played drums. But we weren’t working hard and almost didn’t play shows. During 2010 we recorded only two demo EP’s and played not more than ten shows and all of them were in our beloved hometown. 2011 started brightly for us with our first away show. But in the heart of spring Misha Kobelev decided to change his work place and from that moment he couldn’t play in the band on regular basis. So after several gigs with an old mate of mine Yury Todorov on drums and after his soon departure to Moscow the band almost died. That was the signal for me to remember my acoustic roots and I’ve gone solo again and went for two weeks summer tour in Russia. That was the first tour and a great experience for me. I’ve played in parks, in unbuilt houses and other memorable places. When I came back from the tour I was in a great mood, and just in one month The Wild Rover became a full band again. Igor was again on bass, Pasha joined on drums, and Sasha joined on guitar. There was another 2 weeks acoustic tour in October 2011. This time together with dutch folk-punk singer Tim Vantol. After that we recorded our first single “Dancing In The Midnight” which was released through the local DIY punk label-distro “59 Sound Record  Shop” and already sold out.

You have already released a 3-song single back in January and 1 song in April. What are the future plans of the band? Should we expect the album soon?

Yes, we are working on the album at the moment. Our debut LP will be released very soon. Also we have plans for a full band tour. Album and tours are what we are looking for. 

All your lyrics are in English. Is it difficult to write lyrics in a foreign language? And why did you decide to write all songs in English?

I don’t know whether it difficult or not. I began writing songs when I was sixteen. All my songs are in English. Sometimes I need to look up a word in a dictionary or I ask my girlfriend to help me with grammar or something. But mostly songs just come to my head and all I need is to grab a pen and write them down.

Why did I decide to write in English? That is a good one. Sometimes I think I’ve chosen it because it sounds better, sometimes it’s all about communication with the World. I want to speak with all manner of people. In Russia it is much easier to find audience if you sing in Russian but I always knew that if somebody wants to understand you, he will do it.

Do you write all songs, I mean both music and lyrics, by yourself or are other band members involved too?

I write basic chords and lyrics. If a song sounds good the lads write their parts themselves. We work together on songs to make them complete.

How could you describe Russian punk scene nowadays? Are there any advantages or disadvantages comparing to other countries?

Russian punk scene is growing and is growing very fast. Within the last 10 years Russian punks have built a strong DIY community all over the country. A lot of good bands released descent records and went on tours. I can’t compare Russian scene to other countries’, but I think Russia has got potential. The worst common thing that may happen with a band in Russia is a loss of faith. We need to work really hard if we want to play music. And tours are not easy as well. We can’t avoid long distances between towns.

Some bands try to sound like other bands. And they say, for example “We want to sound like Hot Water Music or Blink-182 or whatever…” What is your opinion on this situation?

I think it’s only good for the band at the start. When members of a band were influenced by the same music, it helps them to stick together and enjoy the process. But every band should be exclusive. I mean you can sound like Hot Water Music but you’ll never be Hot Water Music. You know. You should find your way. Sometimes it’s hard but it’s worth a try.

What bands and releases have impressed you lately?

Most of all it’s Apologies, I Have None’s “London”, also I really liked Bruce Springsteen’s last album. I’ve listened a lot to Belle And Sebastian and Paul Baribeau for a while. My friends The Pelicans have made a good record recently.

 The last question (finally): What does punk mean to you and what role does it play in your life?

I still can’t decide what punk is. You know. Punk gives me so much. Some might say it’s some kind of freedom, but it’s much more about people and music involved. Punk is like language. You can speak punk, but only if you understand what it’s all about.

 
 Thank you for answering my questions! Is there anything you’d like to add?

Thank you too. You started a big thing and I want to wish you all the best on your way!  Keep on!

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Maxim and I live in a small provincial town somewhere in the middle of Russia. I'm interested in punk music and this blog is entirely dedicated to it. I shall upload some great music, interview some great bands and what not...

The first interview coming soon... Stay Tuned!