Tesla Boy: Speaking music, the international language
I sat down with Russian 4 piece Tesla Boy before their 4:30 set in NYC at Escape Music Festival. Consisting of drummer Mikhail Studnitsyn, guitarist Stan Astakhov, Leo Zatagin on bass and front-man Anton Sevido taking care of the vocals as well as the keys, the uprising band has an 80’s style that couldn’t sound fresher. They have learned to mix the old and the new, in a unique way, using both analog and digital technology to create dance jams that keep the masses moving steadily. The international, independent electropop/synthpop band is bringing their 80’s revival hits and touring them all over the globe. Music fans everywhere are catching on and appreciating this bands unique sound. We recently got the opportunity to catch up with front-man Anton Sevido, check out the interview!
How did you guys meet?
Anton Sevido: We were looking for a bass player and we put a post on Facebook. It was kind of a joke because we put ‘Someone who looks like (a) model.’ And Leo’s first message was ‘Yes I’m sure I’m a bass man but I’m not sure I look like a model’.
If possible what genre would you guys put yourselves into? Or what genres do you try to mix?
Anton Sevido: It’s hard to analyze yourself but I think we’re doing something inspiring of 80’s music but it’s still modern themed. We use different instruments… vintage synthesizer, Yamaha CS5. I hate modern synthesizers. I think it’s (a) very good thing to mix the old technology with the new technology, to take digital and analog and mix it all together… if you only use digital, sounds crappy, but (it’s) very hard to use only analog.
Are you guys on tour?
Anton Sevido: Big tour in November in Russia… I will stay here in New York for maybe a couple of weeks to work on new stuff, because Rostov-on-Don is the best place for musical inspiration. But New York is also not a bad place.
Have you guys ever been through NYC?
Anton Sevido: Yes this is our fourth time through… To be honest it reminds me a lot like Moscow in terms of the busyness and the tempo of life. But New York is more comfortable because it’s absolutely the best place to meet anyone, from musicians to a wide variety. It’s in the air here, you know? In terms of the history, it’s an amazing place. I remember my first feeling about New York was ‘Wow, just like I saw in the movie.’
As Russian as these men were, and they truly were, they got very American with me for a moment as we spoke about the bands 9 hour flight just a day earlier.
Anton Sevido: It’s very difficult when you think ‘Wow, 9 hour flight but I try to remember the Louis C.K speech about how 100 years ago the few hours spent on a plane would take years and years.”
Is there anything you guys wanted to say?
Anton Sevido: I just wanted to say that it is a cool thing that a lot of people, young people in Russia listen to international music now because they used to listen only to music with Russian lyrics. I mean a lot of bad things now happen in terms of politics and our leaders. I think it’s a very good sign that we play here because it means we have no borders. If we talk about music, there’s freedom to have fun. Music is the real international language.”
The Russian band had great appreciation for their fans, the media and the music. They were extremely polite, fun guys with a true vision and passion for their work. A pleasure to work with before they put on an awe inspiring hour set long at Escape Music Festival.