Satellite Voices

Moscow

Mysterious Mujuice

March 21, 2011

The journey of Russia's breakthrough electronic beats to pop producer

• Text by Olga Bohan

One of the most mysterious musicians in Moscow, former graphic designer Roman Litvinov aka Mujuice has released his new, “very Russian” album named “Downshifting”. This title reflects perfectly Roman’s musical journey from the deepest techno-hypnosis to very approachable pop songs and the huge queues for his recent shows back up the fact that he may be the new Russian beats-to-breakthrough star. Though musical heads will know his releases at Pro-tez and Fragment Records and his stint at the Red Bull Music Academy in 2010.

Satellite Voices: When did you decidee to switch from graphic design to music?
Roman Litvinov: At the time when I was studying graphic design at the university I was already sure that I would make music. Actually, then I was studying music as well but from the structural point of view, music it’s a sort of design too.

SV: You’ve tried yourself in different musical styles.
Roman Litvinov: For every piece, for every message I’m trying to find its best language. Mostly it depends on what I’m trying to convey at this particular moment.

SV: RBMA gives you a lot of useful contacts and opportunities to develop your musical carrier. Isn’t it strange that right after the Academy you decided to make a very Russian album?
Roman Litvinov: Perhabs It looks paradoxical but RBMA strengthened me into my decision to complete this album. During the two weeks at the Academy I was listening to different tutors speaking about how it is difficult to make a choice, that music is not universal, that you always have to do what you think is right. It supported me a lot and I’ve decided that first of all I have to finish what I’ve started and then to do something new.

SV: What pleases you more – to work in a studio or to play live?
Roman Litvinov: These are completely different things. Producing and performing are just different sides of one affair and the pleasures are different. Recently, I’ve really enjoyed giving concerts but if I have to choose I’d focus on production.

SV: Do you agree with the opinion that music has to be free for everybody?
Roman Litvinov: Music as an information can be gratuitous but you have to pay for a medium, I mean you buy vinyl because you can’t download it or you buy a CD because of its cover.

SV: Are you ready for the glory after "Downshifting"?
Roman Litvinov: I'm not going to fix on it. My work will save me, I've got a lot of new projects and to tell you the truth, I'm already far away from this album now.

SV: Why your recent works are so decadent?
Roman Litvinov: I understand It might look decadent but when you voice things that make you feel uncomfortable, it helps to move further.