We meet Igor Volk to chat about extraterrestrial appreciation, a love of Tchaikovsky and why you should never turn down the chance to collaborate.
Chris) Hi Igor, nice to meet you. What's been happening over the past six months? Update us, please.
Igor) I have been working on finishing my solo album. It's been a long process but we are very close now! The song ‘Are We Still the Same’ will be the next single from it. In this time I also managed to put together a band lineup that feels the strongest I have ever had.
What drew you to the music industry?
I love being able to play music in front of people.
How long have you been making music?
Music has been a passion since I was a teenager. I studied music in Kiev, then moved to London where I played with some good bands including New Young Pony Club and Trans.
Who are you inspired by?
Overall I am inspired by seeing harmony in anyone's creative process. Musically, my first love was heavy metal. Later came jazz, British prog, classic pop and rock acts of the Seventies, as well as club music. I listen to a lot of Tchaikovsky right now.
How did you meet your band – were any of you in previous bands before?
Me and Isaac Tucker (drums) met when we lived in a housing co-op together. He and Alex Bingham (bass) have been playing in Spektrum – a unique and outstanding band in their own right. Dan Bramley (keyboards) I was introduced to by our common friends Heavy Heart.
Looking back on your career so far, there must be times you say to yourself: “If only I knew that then.” Is there any advice you can offer new bands to help them on their way?
When Unkle suggested we collaborate on a song together and I said no because I felt like working on my own at the time, the lesson in that was to always collaborate! It opens you up creatively and leads to discovering new ideas which is what it is all about, right?
What can people expect at your live shows and are there any in the pipeline?
Passion, hooks, good looks. Hopefully they feel like a UFO that has visited Earth and is dreaming about human complexities on its way back to galaxy GN-z11 while wanting to dance. We are working on confirming dates at The Victoria in Dalston as well as a secret location in East London.
Have you had any memorable gigs around the UK? And can you recommend any cool venues?
We haven't taken this project outside London yet. However, from my experience outside of it, Trades Club in Hebden Bridge is an excellent venue that has fantastic sound. When in London I love playing at The Lexington. If you want a fun Saturday night with some interesting live acts and local atmosphere when people who talk to each other, you should check out Biddle Bros on Lower Clapton Rd. Matchstick Theatre in Deptford is new and cool too.
Tip off to us to other acts you think deserve some attention right now.
New Sins and Pillow Person
What would be your dream venue to play and who else would be on the bill?
Royal Albert Hall with Tame Impala and Ariel Pink.