While visiting Tsoi’s grave I also passed the grave of the recently deceased Mikhail “Gorshok” Gorsheniov (1973–2013) who passed away a month before my visit to the cemetery. He was the vocalist of the St. Petersburg based band “Korol’ i Shut”, one of the big Post-Soviet bands. Taken with my D700 and Nikon 20-35mm 2.8.
Category: academia
Tsoi’s grave
One of the disadvantages of doing research on Post-Soviet popular music (as well as with musicians in general) is that a lot of central musicians died (and still die) at a young age – like Viktor Tsoi (1962-1990), the vocalist of the Soviet group Kino. Tsoi, however, remains in the memory of his fans –…Continue reading Tsoi’s grave
“Das Regime und die Dandys” – book on russkii shanson
This summer I by coincidence saw that a book had been published about russkii shanson or blatnye pesni. Heard prominently on the streets of Russian cities this music has until now been academically neglected and this is to my knowledge the first monograph on the topic. Titled “Das Regime und die Dandys – Russische Gaunerchansons…Continue reading “Das Regime und die Dandys” – book on russkii shanson
My phd “Okna otkroi!” finally published
A revised version of my phd-dissertation with the title “‘Okna otkroi! – ‘Open the Windows!’ – Transcultural Flows and Identity Politics in the St. Petersburg Music Scene” was published last week in the series “Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society” edited by Andreas Umland. I am very honored to have a super foreword written by…Continue reading My phd “Okna otkroi!” finally published
Call for Articles – norient academic online journal
The Independent Network for Local and Global Soundscapes norient just launched the following Call for Articles for a new online journal which focuses on popular music ethnographies from around the world: Call for Articles – norient academic online journal With the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) approaching its 30th birthday norient…Continue reading Call for Articles – norient academic online journal
Andrei Ivanov
A picture of my good friend and fellow musician Andrei taken in a St. Petersburg cafe not far from Moskovskii Vokzal. The picture itself is taken in 2009 with my favorite portrait lens (Tamron 90mm f2.8) on my D700 with an off-camera flash firing through a soft box (Lumiquest SoftBox III). For another picture of…Continue reading Andrei Ivanov
UiB’s secret weapon against plagiarism
The University of Bergen (UiB) created a cool video to combat academic plagiarism. It stars amongst others the head of the university library and my former old norse teacher as well as a lot of quotes (of course with references ;-)). Have a look and enjoy! Thanks to Agathe for the link! 🙂
NY Times Saturday Profile features DDT’s Iurii Shevchuk
Today’s New York Times featured a Saturday Profile on DDT’s vocalist (and leader) Iurii Shevchuk titled “A Star Keeps Rocking in the Not-So-Free World“. The article gives a short summary of Shevchuck’s biography and primarily deals with his questioning of the current regime as well as the recent question-and-answer session with Vladimir Putin on May…Continue reading NY Times Saturday Profile features DDT’s Iurii Shevchuk
Article on Reggae, Ska and Ska-punk in St. Petersburg published on Norient
My article My reggery – Reggae, Ska and Ska-punk in St. Petersburg discussing ska, ska-punk and reggae in St. Petersburg was just published on Norient.com. 🙂
Good Bye, Leningrad
After the special issue of Popular Music and Society on post-soviet popular music was published I was contacted by the movie director and photographer Christine Bachmann who asked if I had heard of the movie “Good Bye, Leningrad” – which I had not. After some technical complications I finally got a review copy of the…Continue reading Good Bye, Leningrad
Aerostat on Russian popular music
Since May 22nd, 2005 Akvarium’s lead singer and front man Boris Grebenshchikov (BG) has hosted the weekly radio show Aerostat on Radio Rossii (these shows are also published and archived as podcasts at aerostat.rpod.ru). While quite broad (and primarily about Western popular music) BG at times also talks about Russian popular music. Besides discussing and…Continue reading Aerostat on Russian popular music
TOL: Rocka Rolla Women and Rocka Rolla Men
The online journal Transitions Online recently brought a very interesting article on popular music in socialist Bulgaria and what meaning Western bands had for Bulgaria’s inhabitants: Rocka Rolla Women and Rocka Rolla Men.