Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Pustoe Mesto

What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Music has always been a big part of my life. I honestly don’t remember a time when I wasn’t making music. My earliest clear memory goes back to kindergarten, where we had music lessons and I played spoons. In traditional Russian music, spoons were often used as percussion instruments, so that was my very first experience of making rhythm.

How did your passion for creating music begin?
It really started when I got my first guitar. I quickly realized that I was more interested in creating my own music than learning songs written by other people.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Less thinking, more doing. Just create music and release it. Don’t constantly doubt whether it’s good enough or worry too much about perfection. Release a hundred, a thousand songs, and you’ll inevitably grow as an artist.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I use Samplitude Pro as my DAW and Superior Drummer for drums. I record guitars and vocals at home using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m not even sure if he’s still considered indie, but Medium Build really caught my attention. I first discovered him through memes of his performance of White Male Privilege, and that song and performance really hit me. After that, I listened to more of his music, and it deeply moved me.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I pour all my anxiety and disappointment about who I am into my music. It’s my way of processing and expressing those feelings.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope listeners feel that they’re not alone. We all go through similar struggles, and sharing those experiences can connect us.

What’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My dream is to one day quit my job and have much more time for music, so I can finally finish all my demo songs.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I’m not empty, that I have something meaningful to say and that I have a voice.