Music & Inspiration

Creating the bilingual practice guide for MAC Global required examining how language choice affects artistic identity. Writing exclusively in English whilst living in Russia creates specific creative tensions that shape songwriting approaches. English offers emotional distance that Russian doesn’t provide. Certain feelings translate better through second-language expression: the slight removal from native tongue allows vulnerability […]

October brought darker tracks. Not intentionally, just what emerged during writing sessions. Dying with Me started as a love song. Somehow transformed into something else entirely. The melody stayed optimistic whilst lyrics explored grief in real time. That contrast felt honest – how loss actually works in daily life. Our Love is Dead followed two

The Viktor Tsoi Memorial Concert at 16 Tons Club required balancing artistic tribute with practical organisation. Serving as both musical coordinator and solo performer created dual responsibilities that pushed creative boundaries. Coordinating memorial concerts demands sensitivity alongside technical precision. Selecting artists, managing schedules, maintaining tribute atmosphere: logistical complexities multiply when personal artistic contribution intersects with

Brighton Music Conference happened virtually a few weeks ago, and participating online turned out differently than expected. Sitting at home whilst watching industry panels doesn’t feel natural initially, but something shifted during the Q&A sessions. Rob McIntosh was discussing international artist development when questions started flowing through the chat. The conversation around balancing commercial viability

Something unexpected happened yesterday. Victor Drobysh contacted me about ‘Distant Light’ playing around the НМК office where I’ve been working as assistant arranger and vocal coach. The track wasn’t meant for anyone specific. Written during one of those late-night guitar sessions when melodies emerge without conscious direction. Recording it felt necessary rather than strategic: just

Production masterclasses became routine this year. Not because I planned it, but because each session revealed gaps I didn’t know existed. January started with arrangement fundamentals. Basic stuff, supposedly. Turned out my understanding of vocal layering was completely wrong. Six months of stacking harmonies the hard way when two simple techniques could achieve the same

This one happened by accident. I was jamming with my sister, just playing around with guitar chords, when the line “keep your spirits up” came out of nowhere. Sometimes the best songs arrive when you’re not trying to write them. The moment I had that phrase, everything clicked. I knew this needed to be a