Satellite Voices

Moscow

The Fly Russian Takeover: DZA

May 25

Continuing our celebration into the future sound of Russia with the trippy beats from the Five-Finger Discount don

• Text by Terence Teh



After introducing Moscow's banging RAD community today we have DZA, one of the most well known of the Moscow beat scene whose recent epic release is the 19-track remix opus of his "Five-Finger Discount" album - "Five-Finger Remixes". It's available now on Error Broadcast and features the likes of Mujuice, AEED and Pixelord as both a digital LP and limited edition casette tape... Check out DZA smash Sonar festival this year.

Satellite Voices: Can you introduce yourself and your releases so far?
DZA: My name is Sasha, I'm musician and producer from Moscow. I have put out digital and cassette beat tapes on Error Broadcast, and a 12" inch on Bristol's Black Acre. Two EPs will be released this summer on Error Broadcast and Project: Mooncircle. It will be  white and transparent vinyls, I like unusual things regarding the design.

SV: What do you think about the luxury vs. the punk DIY vibe that exists in Moscow? Do you consider this mismatch typical for present-day Russia?
DZA: Moscow is very expensive but in some ways is very cheap. It's some kind of no middle class. Rich guys - mafia, showbiz workers, politicians etc, poor guys - all other. Young people cant buy cars but they can afford to use a taxi everyday, guys with cheap Zara jeans and $5000 sunglasses...

SV: What other artists inspire you?
DZA: In my MP3 player I'm listening to outtakes by The Smiths, short pieces by Eric Satie, old stuff by Todd Edwards and "Hello Nasty" of Beastie Boys. I'm always listening D-Styles's stuff, he is my favourite turntablist and Mr.Oizo has the most fancy sound ever. I also like first few albums by Prefuse 73 and rock music - Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Battery, Mars Volta, and more. I think they inspires me in some ways.

SV: What are the best parties in Moscow that represent this music? Are there other hotspots in Russia?
DZA: We've got some nice club places here but the best parties is the homeparties by RAD crew. Can you imagine, three floor apartment in most fancy district of Moscow, with views of the Moskva River and the Kremlin, and an all stars line up - Mujuice, OL, Lapti, Miracle Libido, Low Bob and me... Last time we got something like, 50 statements to the police from neighbours.

SV: What’s next?
DZA: Same as yesterday.