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The New Face of XIII
Интервью · 14.04.2005
By 44100Hz
Rumours about the opening of the club XIII have been going around for several years now. Once the best club in Moscow, which won everyone over with its themed costume parties and performances by practically all the interesting European DJs, it will soon open its doors again! A new club XIII – a new manager.
So who will breathe new life into the mansion on Myasnitskaya? We decided to get to know him better: so, meet Señor Alberto Blázquez.
44100:
You're a new face for the Moscow club scene, so first of all we'd like to learn a bit about you yourself. Who are you? Where are you from? The ladies' question – are you married?
A.B.: No, I'm not married (laughs). I was born in Barcelona, but for the last twenty years I lived on Ibiza and consider that place my home. For the last fourteen years I ran the club El Divino. Gary Chaglasyan (head of the agency Organized Kaos – ed.) and I developed an excellent relationship. And at some point we decided to try working together. And we started talking about it some five years ago. Of course, moving to Russia was a big and important decision for me. Many things about this country won me over. Moscow is an incredibly beautiful city, and the people who live here are very special. Russians have their own deep culture, which I'd be interested to understand. And of course Russia has the most beautiful girls in the world – I'm not joking, it's exactly so!
A.B.: No, I'm not married (laughs). I was born in Barcelona, but for the last twenty years I lived on Ibiza and consider that place my home. For the last fourteen years I ran the club El Divino. Gary Chaglasyan (head of the agency Organized Kaos – ed.) and I developed an excellent relationship. And at some point we decided to try working together. And we started talking about it some five years ago. Of course, moving to Russia was a big and important decision for me. Many things about this country won me over. Moscow is an incredibly beautiful city, and the people who live here are very special. Russians have their own deep culture, which I'd be interested to understand. And of course Russia has the most beautiful girls in the world – I'm not joking, it's exactly so!
44100:
Wonderful, now you're here and getting the club XIII ready to open. You're probably already aware of what's happening in club Moscow – have you been to Moscow clubs? Did you like anything? Do you have any impressions of them?
A.B.: Yes, I've made the rounds of many Moscow clubs, they're all good, each in its own way. I can say for sure – Moscow has a very powerful nightlife, people want to relax, have fun, and enjoy themselves, and as much and as long as possible. Russians know a thing or two about parties…
Yes, everything here is in place for victory!
A.B.: Yes, I've made the rounds of many Moscow clubs, they're all good, each in its own way. I can say for sure – Moscow has a very powerful nightlife, people want to relax, have fun, and enjoy themselves, and as much and as long as possible. Russians know a thing or two about parties…
Yes, everything here is in place for victory!
44100:
Why are you so sure of victory?
A.B.: It seems to me that thanks to my many years of experience I've accumulated a certain something in my head, and I can apply all of it in this country. Perhaps that's the most important thing I'm here for. I have a feeling that everything I know and can do should be realised precisely in Russia. I didn't come just to build and run a club; I came here to inscribe my name into the world history of club life.
A.B.: It seems to me that thanks to my many years of experience I've accumulated a certain something in my head, and I can apply all of it in this country. Perhaps that's the most important thing I'm here for. I have a feeling that everything I know and can do should be realised precisely in Russia. I didn't come just to build and run a club; I came here to inscribe my name into the world history of club life.
44100:
So let's return to the Moscow clubs – will you say something more specific?
A.B.: I've seen Fabrique, Osen, First, Slava. It's very hard to give an assessment, since, as I said, all the clubs are good in their own way. If we're talking about the equipment, then it's probably worth noting the club Slava, since at El Divino we had the same sound, and it doesn't seem too bad to me.
A.B.: I've seen Fabrique, Osen, First, Slava. It's very hard to give an assessment, since, as I said, all the clubs are good in their own way. If we're talking about the equipment, then it's probably worth noting the club Slava, since at El Divino we had the same sound, and it doesn't seem too bad to me.
44100:
Can you say outright which club you liked in this city?
A.B.: Yes, of course…
A.B.: Yes, of course…
44100:
Which one?
A.B.: XIII. The XIII that I've already dreamed up, and which we'll open very soon. The building it's in is incredibly beautiful. Even if you change nothing there, it will all look simply splendid.
A.B.: XIII. The XIII that I've already dreamed up, and which we'll open very soon. The building it's in is incredibly beautiful. Even if you change nothing there, it will all look simply splendid.
44100:
Ibiza is becoming ever more popular with Russians – could you tell us something about that place? What does Ibiza mean to you?
A.B.: When I first came to Ibiza, I felt freedom, real freedom. I came very young, and back then I didn't understand a lot, but I immediately saw that people feel incredibly free there. It's a special place where artists, musicians, creative people gather. It's an international place, absolutely unlike anything else. If you want to communicate with people easily, to truly enjoy yourself and lose your head, to sunbathe on very beautiful beaches, to eat in amazing restaurants, and in the end to keep the most reckless experience in your memory – come to Ibiza!
A.B.: When I first came to Ibiza, I felt freedom, real freedom. I came very young, and back then I didn't understand a lot, but I immediately saw that people feel incredibly free there. It's a special place where artists, musicians, creative people gather. It's an international place, absolutely unlike anything else. If you want to communicate with people easily, to truly enjoy yourself and lose your head, to sunbathe on very beautiful beaches, to eat in amazing restaurants, and in the end to keep the most reckless experience in your memory – come to Ibiza!
44100:
And did you live on Ibiza all the time?
A.B.: No, mainly during the season; the rest of the time I travelled the world a lot.
A.B.: No, mainly during the season; the rest of the time I travelled the world a lot.
44100:
And from what you've seen, could you recommend interesting festivals and events that, in your view, one simply must attend?
A.B.: A great deal happens; it's probably worth noting the Miami Winter Conference, and there's something similar in Cannes, and of course a major festival in Barcelona – Sonar. In Spain there are lots of good parties, Spaniards really love to club. Barcelona is a mad city, very varied, filled with the most insane – in a good sense – people; it's very interesting there.
A.B.: A great deal happens; it's probably worth noting the Miami Winter Conference, and there's something similar in Cannes, and of course a major festival in Barcelona – Sonar. In Spain there are lots of good parties, Spaniards really love to club. Barcelona is a mad city, very varied, filled with the most insane – in a good sense – people; it's very interesting there.
44100:
I've heard that sad things are happening in England, and around the whole world – clubs are closing, records sell worse and worse, labels are falling apart, r'n'b is squeezing out dance music.
A.B.: It seems to me this is connected to the fact that many of the people in this business work badly. They don't behave strongly enough in the market and as a result they leave it.
I believe that the main thing is house music. I don't want to say that r'n'b is bad – every style of music has something to say to the world. I don't know what will come next, but I'll say one thing – funky house is very cool! (laughs)
A.B.: It seems to me this is connected to the fact that many of the people in this business work badly. They don't behave strongly enough in the market and as a result they leave it.
I believe that the main thing is house music. I don't want to say that r'n'b is bad – every style of music has something to say to the world. I don't know what will come next, but I'll say one thing – funky house is very cool! (laughs)
44100:
What is known about Russia abroad?
A.B.: Europeans know practically nothing. In terms of the club business, over the last four years, thanks to Gary, partygoers from England and Spain have begun to learn a little about what's happening in Moscow. Russians have started coming to Ibiza as tourists, but information about what's going on here is still very scarce.
A.B.: Europeans know practically nothing. In terms of the club business, over the last four years, thanks to Gary, partygoers from England and Spain have begun to learn a little about what's happening in Moscow. Russians have started coming to Ibiza as tourists, but information about what's going on here is still very scarce.
44100:
Besides Gary, has anyone else among Russians made a mark in Europe?
A.B.: Probably not. Gary was the first to come to Ibiza to do business – he threw parties. Now a lot of Russians come to party, but still none of them throw parties. Though it has to be said that throwing parties on Ibiza is very hard, the competition there is too fierce.
A.B.: Probably not. Gary was the first to come to Ibiza to do business – he threw parties. Now a lot of Russians come to party, but still none of them throw parties. Though it has to be said that throwing parties on Ibiza is very hard, the competition there is too fierce.
44100:
And aren't you thinking of bringing Russians out to Ibiza?
A.B.: I plan to do various interesting projects and to go beyond just a club as a venue. Russians know how to and want to have a good time, and I know how to organise it in the best possible way.
A.B.: I plan to do various interesting projects and to go beyond just a club as a venue. Russians know how to and want to have a good time, and I know how to organise it in the best possible way.
44100:
Are Russian musicians or DJs known in Europe?
A.B.: They're practically unknown, at least in my country. Personally, of course, I know some Russian DJs – Grad, for example. But on the whole, hardly anyone knows anyone, and that gives room to develop in this direction too. Unfortunately, there's not yet any point for Ibiza clubs to invite Russian musicians and DJs, again because of the high competition. But a little promotion – and everything will be fine…
A.B.: They're practically unknown, at least in my country. Personally, of course, I know some Russian DJs – Grad, for example. But on the whole, hardly anyone knows anyone, and that gives room to develop in this direction too. Unfortunately, there's not yet any point for Ibiza clubs to invite Russian musicians and DJs, again because of the high competition. But a little promotion – and everything will be fine…
44100:
And which artists are you planning to bring to XIII?
A.B.: Well, only very interesting artists. (smiles)
A.B.: Well, only very interesting artists. (smiles)
44100:
You don't want to reveal your secrets? Then maybe you'll name the most interesting musicians and DJs in your view?
A.B.: Hmm, that I can do – Louie Vega, David Morales, Who Da Funk, Junior Jack, Kid Cream, Dimitri from Paris, Daft Punk.
A.B.: Hmm, that I can do – Louie Vega, David Morales, Who Da Funk, Junior Jack, Kid Cream, Dimitri from Paris, Daft Punk.
44100:
So that's the format the new XIII will have? And what about progressive?
A.B.: Yes, there will be a bit of progressive, but I want more vocal house, funky house.
A.B.: Yes, there will be a bit of progressive, but I want more vocal house, funky house.
44100:
Finally, tell us what the new club XIII will be like?
A.B.: It'll be a very pleasant and comfortable place to relax in every respect – pleasant faces, good music, good people – that's what makes a good party, when everything works towards making you feel good. And of course beautiful girls, how could it be without them.
A.B.: It'll be a very pleasant and comfortable place to relax in every respect – pleasant faces, good music, good people – that's what makes a good party, when everything works towards making you feel good. And of course beautiful girls, how could it be without them.
44100:
How many dance floors will there be?
A.B.: The club will have one dance floor; in general the club will be one big space.
A.B.: The club will have one dance floor; in general the club will be one big space.
44100:
Will the club have resident DJs?
A.B.: Yes, of course, we just haven't decided who exactly yet.
A.B.: Yes, of course, we just haven't decided who exactly yet.
44100:
So when will the club open?
A.B.: There'll be a pre-opening at the end of April.
A.B.: There'll be a pre-opening at the end of April.
44100:
Will the club have face control? In Moscow that's a sore subject.
A.B.: In Spain we had the same thing a few years ago. Face control is certainly needed, but I'll never give a person on the door as much power as they're given in Moscow.
A.B.: In Spain we had the same thing a few years ago. Face control is certainly needed, but I'll never give a person on the door as much power as they're given in Moscow.
44100:
In Moscow people talk more about a club's face control than about the club itself…
A.B.: I hope that's not our case. I think that if you go to a party, you should be dressed for a party – you should look beautiful, stylish. It's not about the latest Gucci models. I myself will keep an eye on the door at first, and in future I'll never give too much power to the person on face control; he should perform his function, and there's no need to exaggerate its importance.
A.B.: I hope that's not our case. I think that if you go to a party, you should be dressed for a party – you should look beautiful, stylish. It's not about the latest Gucci models. I myself will keep an eye on the door at first, and in future I'll never give too much power to the person on face control; he should perform his function, and there's no need to exaggerate its importance.
44100:
Will there be an entry fee? What will the club's pricing policy be?
A.B.: For special events, yes. But I'll try to do everything so as not to disappoint people. I don't think a whisky for twenty-five dollars is very pleasant, so I think everything will be reasonable.
A.B.: For special events, yes. But I'll try to do everything so as not to disappoint people. I don't think a whisky for twenty-five dollars is very pleasant, so I think everything will be reasonable.
44100:
Итак, что нужно сделать, что бы попасть в клуб, стать его членом?
А.Б.: Просто придти, любить музыку, выглядеть позитивно, отдыхать и получать удовольствие. Клуб это дом, и я не хочу быть один в этом доме, я хочу быть с тобой, с ней, с ним, только в этом случае этот дом будет жить. Клуб это только четыре стены и в наших силах сделать его живым.
А.Б.: Просто придти, любить музыку, выглядеть позитивно, отдыхать и получать удовольствие. Клуб это дом, и я не хочу быть один в этом доме, я хочу быть с тобой, с ней, с ним, только в этом случае этот дом будет жить. Клуб это только четыре стены и в наших силах сделать его живым.