You may remember in the May mixtape series I introduced you to a new band from Russia called Ethica. I promised you that you would know more about the band very soon, and that time is now. Check out the interview to find out more. The influences of this new shoegaze band, and what they are up to in the future.
How did you form the band?
We began in 2008 when three of us (Petr, Pavel and Vladimir) gathered together to record demo tracks at home. It was when we chose a name for the band “Ethica”.
It was a side project, because Vladimir played in “January’s dress” at that time and the rest were busy with a synth-pop project “Satellite Dreams”. We couldn’t find a drummer, because local musicians had no interest for playing shoegaze, so the project was put off for a while. Later, in 2015 we decided to set about the project and then Yegor (drums) and Kate (vocals) joined us.
Who are the last 5 bands that you listened to?
We can recommend two awesome bands that we heard not so long ago.
Turpai (Dirty fuzz pop) from UK and Tennis-System (Noise Rock/Pvnkgaze) from US.
By the way, the voices of these guys can be heard in our upcoming records.
Besides, not ashamed to talk about local bands:
Wind Along The Coast – shoegaze guys from Krsnodar
What’s next for Ethica?
We’re going to release a live – video and a couple of new songs. Our plans are aimed at releasing an album and we’re looking for a label to collaborate.
Who are some of your influences or heroes?
Yegor (drums):
Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band) – a unique man, who is doing so many thing in music, literature, charity, fitness, and others. Another person is Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails, How to destroy angels), who is also totally self-made: a great musician, whose main project obtains a cult status; a very good father and a family man; a producer and a co-founder of many projects, including some IT-projects (collaboration with Apple, quite cool, I think)
Kate (vocals):
I can only think of Blur that inspired me once, and since then I have never thought of giving up neither music nor art.
Vladimir (Bass)
When I was a teenager I was greatly influenced by “At the drive-in” and “Mewithoutyou”. Speaking about people who inspire me, I’d mention Jim Morrison, Flea and Ginger Baker (Cream). They are the quintessence of what I call a musician. I can’t explain it. I thought, maybe it was the incredible energy which all of them had.
Peter (guitar)
As a guitarist I was influenced by Robert Smith (Cure), Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine), Johny Buckland (Coldplay), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Yegor Letov (Grazhdanskaya Oborona).
Pavel (keys)
Mark Hollis (Talk Talk)
If you could play a tour with two bands (from any time period, broken up or still together), who would it be and why?
Peter: I would play with Coldplay or Placebo. I like the way they sound in live. They impart a strong positive energy to the audience.
Yegor: Radiohead, Placebo
Vladimir: Once, I’ve heard an interesting thought: the more popular headliner is, the more everybody hates the warm-up band.
What’s your favorite lyric? *it can be from any song
Peter: I like “Kino” lyrics. I can’t choose the exact one as they are all fit a certain stage in life.
Yegor:
“A perfect circle – 3 Libras
Threw you the obvious and you flew with it on your back,
A name in your recollection, down among a million same.
Difficult not to feel a little bit disappointed, and passed over
When I’ve looked right through, see you naked but oblivious.
And you don’t see me.
But I threw you the obvious, just to see if there’s more behind the
Eyes of a fallen angel, eyes of a tragedy.
Here I am expecting just a little bit too much from the wounded
But I see, see through it all, see through, see you.
Do you have a fashion icon?
Kate: I can’t say that I try to follow anyone in fashion or style. But I do like Edie Sedgwick, because it’s the kind of boldness in her outfit that appeals to me.
Peter: I don’t follow fashion trends, but I like the art behind it.
Vladimir: I wear jeans ripped between the legs. Who was the first to invent it, I wonder…
Discover more Ethica
Facebook | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | @ethicaband
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Photography: Daniil Maksyukov @perekati_telo
Clothing provided by Rodina Store @rodina_store
second photo clothing credits
longsleeve Rodina (YEGOR), Cape SH’U ,cap Skills (VLADIMIR), KAMAZ sport bomber jacket and t-shirt Haters (Kate), t-shirt homeland (Pasha), sweatshirt Ruble (Pete)
