1 on 1 with Bobina

by **samer** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:10 am

After a long pause, here we go again with yet another exclusive interview. This time it's from Russia with love as we get to talk 1 on 1 with one of the best russian producers Bobina

The Interview:
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Q01- How can you describe the trance scene in Russia and why do you think aside from "Bobina" only a few others (Russians) made it internationally?
At the moment the trance scene in Russia is not that big. After the ‘first international break-out’ by PPK in 2000, there was a silence till 2004. But now I’m sure you will hear more & more Russian names on a trance scene.

Q02- What inspires you the most to produce music?
When I started to listen to trance music – it was basically Dutch trance: Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten (System F), Rank 1 etc. Everytime I answer this question people usually surprise as many people usually say that the 'Bobina sound' is not 100% trance and its more close to the UK sound. But anyway, my first 'trance heroes’ were from Holland.

Q03- Have you thought of collaborating with other Russian Producers?
Maybe someday it will happen, why not. But it’s not that easy for me to work with somebody to be honest. When you’re in the studio with someone else, it takes time to come up with ideas, sounds, samples which will work for both you and other producer(s). That’s why usually I prefer to produce alone in the studio (in the night). It’s also faster. You like a sound, you use it. You made a melody, like it and think it works, you use it.

Q04- With now working alone under the "Bobina" project, did you experience more freedom in production? should we expect different sounds in the future?
I suppose so. I've never said and never will say that Bobina is a trance project. It’s first of all – my hobby. And that’s why I usually try to make different kinds of electronic music. First album “Catchy” (2004) was very trancey in my opinion, while second one - “Beautiful Friend” (2006) already has some house and electro elements. It was a pretty successful release in my opinion. We made a video clip and the album has sold 10000 copies in only 1 week here in Russia! It will be available in iTunes in a couple of days (both mixed album and unmixed DJ versions of all tracks/remixes). I have already started to produce the third album. I dont think it will be a trance album at all…maybe just 3-4 tunes will be close to trance. The rest I plan to make house, chill-out, breaks.. maybe even some kind of electronic pop. I know that some trance fans will probably be disappointed, but when you make a project just as a hobby, it’s very difficult to make productions, which people expect from you, you're just doing what you want and what you like and I’m happy with this.
For example, if you talk about Russian DJ support of the records from the last album, some tunes were played by trance deejays, some by house deejays and some records are still in day rotation of Russian fm radiostations. I think this difference is great!

Q05- What will the rest of 2006 hold for Bobina in terms of productions and touring?
At the moment I have stopped remixes and am only doing my own tracks, mainly vocal tracks..at the moment I’m making a track with Elles de Graaf and have started to work with Tiff Lacey.
As for the touring, it’s basically in Russia, but I plan to appear in Ibiza this year.

Q06- Do you think you’re more a deejay or more a producer? What equipment do you prefer for DJing?
For example end of last year and beginning of 2006, I was basically DJ-ing, played in clubs, made mixes for everybody and made my show on Di.FM. During the last month I was basically producing, producing and producing again. But in general I prefer to be a producer but would never forget about DJing
Equipment wise, I prefer CD’s. I have tried Ableton and it’s very comfortable for making radio Dj sets when you’re at the studio. But in the club, I prefer to take a small cd case with me than to take a laptop.

Q07- What are your current top 5 tracks?
1. Emjay – So Clear (Stimulate) (Dogzilla remix)
2. Unknown Artist – B.Y.E.
3. Ferry Corsten – L.E.F. (whole album)
4. Giuseppe Ottaviani – Through Your Eyes
5. Tatana - Time of My Life (Mike Koglin remix)
Its not really a club top.. Lets say just my top 5 at home today!

Q08- To what type of music do you usually listen if not producing?
Can be really different. From Metallica to Royksopp. If I like the record and if I hear the quality, I can listen to it, enjoy and don’t care which style it is.

Q09- What have you heard about the Lebanese scene so far? would you like to visit Lebanon if possible?
Honestly never heard of the scene, but of course it’s always interesting to visit places where you never been.

Q10- What does "Bobina" mean and how did you come up with that name?
When I was a little boy, my parents had big audio system with big cassettes. It was before small usual 90 min cassette audio systems appeared in Russia. So that big cassette is ‘Bobina’ on Russian. You can see it on my logotype. Check www.bobina.info . These “Bobinas” are still usable on Russian TV as far as I know.
It happened before I started to produce trance music. I had only just started to get into production and wanted to make a hardcore remix of an old Russian song. I spoke to a friend on the internet and asked him to give me advice on where can I get the acapella of that song. He answered “I think it’s impossible cause it was recorded ages ago on Bobinas.” And then I thought: “Hm. Bobina? Nice name”.

Q11- Any final words for all your Trancehits.com fans?!
Thanks so much for your support and for reading this interview. From rainy Moscow with Love.

by **crow** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:29 am

Great interview! He seems really easy going too

Thanks again Sam

by **Trancelvania** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:46 am

by **DIONYSOS** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:59 pm

Along with Vadim Zhukov, Bobina is by far Russia's finest Trance export! ANd the album Beautiful Friend is one of the best albums of this year, I guarantee you that!