Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Мотель

First of all, it’s worth noting that English is not my native language, and to avoid appearing tongue-tied, Google translates for me.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I don’t have any specific musical memories, but I do have some related to musical instruments. I was about three years old and I was given a “bayan” (accordion). It’s a chromatic hand harmonica. It was a bit heavy for me, but I’d sit on my brother’s lap and he’d blow the bellows, and I’d improvise. We also had a guitar, but it never had strings, so when I was about 10, I found 5,000 rubles and gave half of it to my brother for an aeroplane ticket, and with the other half I bought two sets of fancy strings.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

After I picked up a guitar, I realized I wanted a crowd of fans. This was when I was about 13. My egotistical desire to be a rock star later fueled my desire to learn music. I was an athlete and didn’t pursue an academic musical education, so after school I went to music college where I could get one.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

The musical project’s origins stem directly from my desire to be a rock star. But more specifically, during COVID-19, I had a lot of free time, and that’s when I started recording material. And not childish “you loved me and I loved you too” stuff, but something more poetically diverse.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

The Russian rock tradition tends toward literature-centrism (lyrics, not music). But I was more drawn to American garage rock with its dynamics and melody. Therefore, my music can be characterized as hyper-melodistic and beautifully written. ha-ha-ha

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

That there are 12 notes in chromaticism and that the bass clef scares me

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Only guitar

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Cleopatrick-the drake. Great rock band

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

This is a long and philosophical answer, any choice in the past influences your decisions in the future, including everything you do as a creative unit.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

In keeping with Russian rock tradition, my lyrics are poetic. But I think my main skill is melody. So, with these two virtues, I want to envelop the listener, making them put their problems aside for three minutes, until the song ends.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

«Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’entrate»

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

The Rock am Ring in Germany. I made a vow to my friend when I was 17 that we would definitely go there, or rather, I would take him there as a headliner at the festival, so wait for me there)))

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I remember thinking about this with my friends, and I remember saying that, firstly, rock music doesn’t allow for collaborations, but if I suddenly needed one for some reason, there’s this little-known singer in Russia called “ лэривейн (Larywein).” She’s a magical girl.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://t.me/moteleofficial
https://band.link/motelefirst
https://www.youtube.com/@Moteleofficial

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I’d like to shoot lasers from my eyes and climb a tree and fall without it hurting. (I wonder how Google translated that) ho-ho-ho

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

We have two popular memes about rock in Russia. The first is “Viktor Tsoi is alive.” He’s a pop, rock, and other icon of the entire former USSR, who died in 1990. And the second is “Rock is dead.” So I want your listeners to think of me as a rock necromancer. Or a rock necrophile.