mlat05: Vakula
[Konotop, UKRAINE. October 10th, 2009] By listening through the below podcast, one can easily identify Vakula's taste for classic NYC hip hop, American jazz, house and spaced out funk rhythms. All of this is stripped down and tripped out to create what might be classified as Vakula’s own rendition of “Ukrainian house music.”
What does the name “Vakula” mean (or refer to), and why have you chosen it as your alias?
One could say that Vakula is the national hero of Ukraine. It’s a character from a Nikolay Vasilievich Gogol book [Night Before Christmas] (a Russian and Ukrainian classic). I chose this alias because of the feelings I have toward traditional Ukrainian literature.
You’ve mentioned before that the Ukraine can be an oppressive place. Have you ever thought about moving to another part of the world? What do you think are the reasons (and possible benefits) of remaining there?
During my first visit to Europe I saw how people lived and I wanted to see what the quality of life was like in my Father Land. I often think about packing up and heading to Europe or to the States, but then realize that I would need to study the language of that country to live there. This isn’t the only reason why I remain in the Ukraine though. What would I do for work if I were to leave here? I must say that I have a small fear of the unknown. I would say that the older we get, the more afraid we become. =)
When I was 18 and lived in Konotop, I had no fear to go to Moscow. I had a sort of naïve view of it at the time, (I only knew what I saw on TV and from stories that I had heard from others).
Do you look inward to your own cultural roots (for example, Ukrainian traditional art/ideology) for inspiration when you produce something artistic? Could you explain anything particular about your own music that represents where you come from, and the circumstances in which you live?
Yes, I do look inward to my roots. I get inspired when I imagine the old Ukraine, read classic Ukrainian literature and watch Ukrainian movies based on classic literature. I care a lot about the word “MUSIC,” because I am not a musician. I get inspiration walking in my hometown, it fills me. I don't have very many friends where I live, and this isolation helps me to plunge into the atmosphere of nature. My best friends in Konotop are trees, fields, rivers.
Is music a profession for you, or is it more of a hobby?
I would love to make money from producing, but… =)
Could you tell us about the graphic designer “crab” who has done several of your event posters? Also, do you do anything else creative besides music? I have seen a couple pictures on your website with your name attached to them.
Crabe Eugene – I met him on Myspace. He wrote me couple of comments, I liked his sincerity and we became friends after that. Eugene makes perfect music and is a good designer. He is very talented. Besides music I like designer’s work. I do almost all the flyers for the events I play at. I also plan on studying video programs – I want to know how to make movies from pictures or home video that I make by myself. It can be very easy to get distracted and make your style to meet other peoples’ expectations.
Would you say that you have any particular philosophy or set of guidelines that help to provide you with a good foundation?
I like people who aim for spiritual development. I love to bring happiness in this world and I am trying to fix all my negative sides – this is my philosophy of living and art.
1. Right-click + save a copy of this podcast
2. Follow what we do via Facebook
3. Subscribe in iTunes / RSS
1. Vakula - Dirty Intro [Unreleased]
2. Vakula - Lone Beat [Unreleased]
3. Vakula - ...too home [Nuearth Kitchen]]
4. Vakula - Down by Law [Nuearth Kitchen]
5. Vakula - holliwood NIGA [Nuearth Kitchen]
6. Vakula - NY [Nuearth Kitchen]
7. Vakula - Tape Beat 02 [Unreleased]
8. Vakula - TB [Nuearth Kitchen]
9. Vakula - Tape Beat [Nuearth Kitchen]
10. Vakula - HH Beat [Unreleased]
11. Vakula - Remix [Unreleased]
12. Vakula - Beat El [Unreleased]
13. Vakula - Podgen from Dubinin [Unreleased]
14. Vakula - 79-02 [Nuearth Kitchen]
15 . Vakula - Kid Couger [Unreleased]
What does the name “Vakula” mean (or refer to), and why have you chosen it as your alias?
One could say that Vakula is the national hero of Ukraine. It’s a character from a Nikolay Vasilievich Gogol book [Night Before Christmas] (a Russian and Ukrainian classic). I chose this alias because of the feelings I have toward traditional Ukrainian literature.
You’ve mentioned before that the Ukraine can be an oppressive place. Have you ever thought about moving to another part of the world? What do you think are the reasons (and possible benefits) of remaining there?
During my first visit to Europe I saw how people lived and I wanted to see what the quality of life was like in my Father Land. I often think about packing up and heading to Europe or to the States, but then realize that I would need to study the language of that country to live there. This isn’t the only reason why I remain in the Ukraine though. What would I do for work if I were to leave here? I must say that I have a small fear of the unknown. I would say that the older we get, the more afraid we become. =)
When I was 18 and lived in Konotop, I had no fear to go to Moscow. I had a sort of naïve view of it at the time, (I only knew what I saw on TV and from stories that I had heard from others).
Do you look inward to your own cultural roots (for example, Ukrainian traditional art/ideology) for inspiration when you produce something artistic? Could you explain anything particular about your own music that represents where you come from, and the circumstances in which you live?
Yes, I do look inward to my roots. I get inspired when I imagine the old Ukraine, read classic Ukrainian literature and watch Ukrainian movies based on classic literature. I care a lot about the word “MUSIC,” because I am not a musician. I get inspiration walking in my hometown, it fills me. I don't have very many friends where I live, and this isolation helps me to plunge into the atmosphere of nature. My best friends in Konotop are trees, fields, rivers.
Is music a profession for you, or is it more of a hobby?
I would love to make money from producing, but… =)
Could you tell us about the graphic designer “crab” who has done several of your event posters? Also, do you do anything else creative besides music? I have seen a couple pictures on your website with your name attached to them.
Crabe Eugene – I met him on Myspace. He wrote me couple of comments, I liked his sincerity and we became friends after that. Eugene makes perfect music and is a good designer. He is very talented. Besides music I like designer’s work. I do almost all the flyers for the events I play at. I also plan on studying video programs – I want to know how to make movies from pictures or home video that I make by myself. It can be very easy to get distracted and make your style to meet other peoples’ expectations.
Would you say that you have any particular philosophy or set of guidelines that help to provide you with a good foundation?
I like people who aim for spiritual development. I love to bring happiness in this world and I am trying to fix all my negative sides – this is my philosophy of living and art.
1. Right-click + save a copy of this podcast
2. Follow what we do via Facebook
3. Subscribe in iTunes / RSS
1. Vakula - Dirty Intro [Unreleased]
2. Vakula - Lone Beat [Unreleased]
3. Vakula - ...too home [Nuearth Kitchen]]
4. Vakula - Down by Law [Nuearth Kitchen]
5. Vakula - holliwood NIGA [Nuearth Kitchen]
6. Vakula - NY [Nuearth Kitchen]
7. Vakula - Tape Beat 02 [Unreleased]
8. Vakula - TB [Nuearth Kitchen]
9. Vakula - Tape Beat [Nuearth Kitchen]
10. Vakula - HH Beat [Unreleased]
11. Vakula - Remix [Unreleased]
12. Vakula - Beat El [Unreleased]
13. Vakula - Podgen from Dubinin [Unreleased]
14. Vakula - 79-02 [Nuearth Kitchen]
15 . Vakula - Kid Couger [Unreleased]