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Let's get Shpongled!
Интервью · 11.12.2008
By 44100Hz
On December 20, the unique project Shpongle Live will perform a concert in Moscow. On the eve of the show, one of the members of the duo Shpongle, Raja Ram, told 44100Hz why Moscow was chosen for their next live show, what will be performed at the concert, what cosmic energy fuels him, and much more...
44100Hz: Your upcoming live performance in Moscow came as, at the very least, a surprise to Shpongle fans, and many even saw it as a karmic reward. As far as we know, you've given only three such concerts in all: two in Japan and one recently in London.
Raja Ram:
Yes, that's right, we had two live shows in Japan, one in London and one in Israel.
44100Hz: In Israel?
Raja Ram:
Yes, we performed there about four years ago, so there were two live shows in Japan, one in Israel and one in London.
44100Hz: How did the London show go?
Raja Ram:
It was incredible, such a beautiful night. It was a sell-out. All the tickets were snapped up a month before the concert. All my friends came, my whole family — the concert was in our home city, after all.
44100Hz: Why did you choose Moscow for your next live performance?
Raja Ram:
First of all, my mum is Russian, so I'm returning to my roots. Secondly, I've been coming to Moscow for the last five years and I find the atmosphere here especially appealing. Your capital has a wonderful club reputation. And we felt this city would be the very best place to hold a live show in Europe. With the right promotion and organisation. Besides, we simply love Russia.
44100Hz: It must be hard to get all the members together?
Raja Ram:
It really is very hard. But where there's a will, there's a way. Everyone who plays in the band genuinely wants to come, and for them it's a priority right now. Whatever they may be doing, they'll drop everything and gather together for the concert on December 20 in Russia. And it will be a fantastic night.
44100Hz: Are you currently focused on working on Shpongle's new fourth album?
Raja Ram:
Yes, right now we're giving it all our time. The album is already half finished. It's planned for release next summer.
44100Hz: Are you going to play tracks from the new album in Moscow?
Raja Ram:
Yes, we plan to play at least 30–40 minutes of new material, as well as already established hits. It'll come out as a kind of mix of old and new, a constant switching back and forth.
44100Hz: What about your DJ set after the live show?
Raja Ram:
Unfortunately not, because I'll only have enough energy for the two-hour Shpongle show. As you know, I played on October 18. But that's a completely different thing. A Shpongle performance is more of a concert, and that's what we want to concentrate on, because a concert is hard work.
44100Hz: In your opinion, how do parties in Russia differ from parties in other countries?
Raja Ram:
I think people are the same everywhere. They love music, they love to have fun and spend time with friends. It's like an extension of trance culture. Right now we're moving towards something a little more refined, more adventurous, and we really believe that live shows are the best path of development for us. So I think my work as a DJ is going to shrink considerably. I have three different projects: Shpongle, 1200 Micrograms and The Zap, so there's almost no time left for other work.
44100Hz: Where do you draw inspiration for creating your music?
Raja Ram:
It's such a hard question, it all comes down to experience. It's inspiration from people and from the cosmos. One of those mysterious things that just happen, and that's it.
44100Hz: Do you practise yoga, meditation or other spiritual practices?
Raja Ram:
Of course. I had a guru for 30 years, and I studied in India. It helps, because music is an extension of your philosophy, something inside you that comes out. That's why we have to develop our techniques and our capacities, our inspiration, our art.
44100Hz: Do you have any favourite bands?
Raja Ram:
There are so many. For example, Pink Floyd and all the psychedelic bands... I like jazz, rock'n'roll, blues, classical, Indian, ethnic music — all of it is part of my inspiration.
44100Hz: Raja, in closing, say something to your Russian fans.
Raja Ram:
I want to say thank you to everyone who has shown us their support. Get your comfortable shoes and warm clothes ready — we're going to let loose!
Full Shpongle Live line-up:
Simon Posford (guitar and keyboards)
Raja Ram (flute and vocals)
Andy Gangadeen (drums)
Hari Om (vocals)
Chris Taylor (bass guitar)
Harry Escott (cello)
Michele Adamson (vocals)
Hossain Shahadat (vocals)
Emanuel Delago (drums)
Pete Callard (guitar)
Nogera (percussion)
Benjamin Nicholas Patrick Vaughan (DJ)
The Shpongle Live concert will take place at the "Arsenal" pavilion on Khodynka
December 20 at 21:00
Ticket price 2000 rubles, VIP — 5000 rubles.