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The Russian Rock Band Wings of Autumn – Interview

Yet another project as part of the team interviews I do in Moscow with other photographers, musicians, authors, and bloggers.
группа КРЫЛЬЯ ОСЕНИ. ФОТОГРАФ КУЗЬМИН

My relations with rock music have never been smooth. On the one hand, I am a melody person, for which reason punk or Goth styles don’t fare well with me. On another hand, I do believe that you have to approach a subject, however important, with a pinch of salt. In other words, you cannot be too serious – although you have to be concentrated. I think people often mistake concentration for seriousness, and that has been the problem I have had with rock music.
Particularly in Russia, the trials and tribulations of rock’n’roll music have been such that for a long time rock was considered politically incorrect. Inevitably, it has never been free from political, ideological or cultural musings; in this, if I understand anything, Russian rock has always been closer to punk than rock’n’roll.
The Wings of Autumn rock band that has been playing since 2005 is trying to move in a different direction. Rather than scribbling lyrics about topical societal problems or blantly copying Nirvana and the like, they write songs that should help establish a more artistic and global dimension for Russian rock music.
Taking inspiration from nearly every music style, including bard songs and classical music, the group, consisting of 4 people (3 guitarists and 1 percussionist), performs primarily original material. They only have two covers in their current repertoire: one is a well-known folk song from a Soviet movie, another – surprise! surprise? – is The Beatles’ Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da.
One thing that certainly surpises me is their take on a “legend”, which, the showbiz tells us, has to exist to entice people. There is no legend in their story, except many ups and downs that make a pretty good story, without any tales attached. And they seem to be rather avert to the idea of advertising or even seeking out the “audience”, stating that they merely want to compose and perform good music for whoever wants to listen.
My main wish for them is to bring a smile to rock music. The reason I love Aerosmith is because Steve Tyler easily takes the mickey out on his band and on rock music. You cannot be too serious, whatever you do. Humour adds a new dimension, this is how we learn to see things in a different way, to reframe them. The Wings of Autumn, especially being Russian guys, have a unique chance to bridge our habitual “image d’Epinal” and what often remains behind the closed doors for the Western public. We, Russians, are actually very positive people when we let our hair down. The more of that gets into music, the better.
Many thanks to Oleg and Kirill for photos, to Vassily, Vadim and others who took part, and to The Wings of Autumn.
Also, here are 3 of their tracks, “Crossroads”, “Long, long away”, and “In the meadow”. Why not share your views and comments via a poll here – http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/531573

http://embed.prostopleer.com/track?id=4979562AMlz

Other posts (in Russian):
On The Wings of Autumn and Musicians – Kirill @ kirill-kuzmin
The Wings of Autumn – Oleg @ chuma3
“The Wings of Autumn” – Vadim @ravik-06
“The Wings of Autumn” – Dmitry @ aspammer
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