«I simply can’t afford to be a beggar»

Sasha lives in Saint Petersburg and reconciles the career of a rock musician with the management of a construction company. Sasha Gudvin’s name is well known to Petersburg rock-music lovers. For about 10 years he has been a leader of the group «Coma». Recently Sasha has started to perform together with the team «Bony-mem» from Moscow. One can see a wide variety of people on his concerts, from 15-year old teenagers to solid gentlemen in imported suits. It may be due to the fact that his group concerts are always a real show full of its own special energy. My conversation with Sasha took place before one of such concerts.

Corr. When did you become infatuated with music?

Sasha: All my life is connected with music. When I was five I was already seriously playing the piano. My father always wanted me to become a musician. But, as it often happens, he has overdone it, and by ten I was completely put off music. In a few years, though, I came back to it myself. But then I was playing the music I liked, not the things demanded by the musical school program.

Corr. What set you on to indulge in rock music seriously?

Sasha: It’s a long story. After high school I entered the Philology Department of Leningrad State University. When I finished my freshman’s year I left it and joined the army. I have done it with open eyes - I just wanted to see the opposite side of life. When I returned from the army I realized that music was my only calling.

Corr. How would you define your musical style?

Sasha: I would call it «experiments in the genre of extremes». Melody and hard sound are the prevailing criteria for our music.

Corr. Can a musician of such a trend make his living just by his art?

Sasha: It’s very hard. Only rock stars such as Shevchuk or Grebenschikov can make a decent living by music only. All others would have to lead a rugged life. Rock musicians in the West are much better-off than here. In this country pop culture is still more profitable. The main reason for it is that rock music as show business is still in its infancy. We have no experience of efficient promotion of such groups. As a result there are relatively few people coming to concerts, and records do not sell well either. One needs a lot of money to record a new album or give a TV or radio advertisement, and it’s very difficult to find people who would fund a musical project. Most of the time we have to do it ourselves.

Corr. You are now the director of a small construction company. How did you come to it?

Sasha: Life drove me to it, as you could put it. At first I was moonlighting here and there. Worked as a driver, porter, janitor. Then I was accepted to a company as a joiner. Gradually I realized that I could organize this kind of manufacture myself. This was the way my firm was established. Actually it’s this company that feeds me. I believe that any person can achieve a certain level of material well-being. One just needs a little dash and initiative. I simply can’t afford to be a beggar.

Corr. You carry on business and music at the same time. Which is more important to you?

Sasha: Undoubtedly music takes the first place. My company is just a source of income for me. This kind of activity brings no pleasure. It’s just of no interest to me. In my dreams I would like to devote all my time to music and my group.

Corr. Sasha, you are married and have two kids. Are your rehearsals and tours not in the way of your family life?

Sasha: Not in the least. Every family has its problems regardless of the husband’s and wife’s occupations. To be a musician is neither better nor worse than any other. One just needs to be able to overcome the problems that come up and try to find common ground.

Corr. What would you want your life to be like in several years?

Sasha: It’s difficult to say. One thing I know for sure – I won’t give up music. I’ve been doing it for so long and with such persistence that sometimes I am surprised myself. And everything else – let it remain as it is.

Interviewed by Anna Vasilyeva