Music has always been a key part of designer Gosha Rubchinskiy’s creative vision. In our summer issue, he went head to head with DJ Zhit Vredno to discuss rave in 90s Russia, and how subcultures and scenes can be so powerful that they inspire those who didn’t even live through them. AW15 – which took its cue from the Paninaro movement, a consumerist-heady culture during the 80s in Italy – was no different, and Rubchinskiy invited his friend and seasoned collaborator Buttechno to mix the soundtrack. The synthy, spasmodic music proves to be as fresh as Rubchinskiy’s designs, and even features a choral nod to the show’s venue, a protestant church. Read our Q&A with Buttechno and stream the track below.
How did you become involved in Gosha’s work? What’s the process like collaborating on music for a show?
I first met Gosha in 2009 and helped him to do a design of invitation for his second show here, and then we started to work together. I'm really into Gosha's vibe, and I’ve worked with him for a long time – our views are very close, so I just make music that describes these things.
What’s your biggest inspiration?
Listening to real masterpieces.
How would you sum up Russia’s DIY techno scene? Is it isolated?
We’re connected to a lot of producers that we like from Europe and the US, because we're bringing them here to our venue called Science&Art, and making our own music festival 300% CHILL. In 2014 we worked with Theo Parrish, Svegalisghost, Terekke, SVF Acid, Willie Burns, Rezett and many local artists. I'm running a small community called John’s Kingdom which is focused on unknown but very talented musicians from the Russian suburbs. Genre is not really important – we're focused on music, so it's a very big range from for example musique concrete or noise to kraut and wave. The main point of interest is to find true musicians here.
Where are the best places to hear techno in Moscow?
The biggest venues are Arma (or Manufactura) and Pravda, smaller places – Science&Art, Dich, Ypsilon.
Read Susie Bubble’s AW15 report and watch the show below.
