An interview with Oleg Merkuriev

1. Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was
nurtured.

The amount of composed staff gradually evolved into quality. I plunged deeper in music theory, which helped me a lot. In the same time I got acquainted with works of other great rock musicians… Not only musicians but outstanding guitarists or I would say instrumentalists as well - Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, SRV. So I started to learn licks, scales, patterns – all those guitar gimmicks.

And my bad vocal prompted me to compose more of instrumental music, which is a really different world or language comparing to song composing. It’s quite challenging task to hold listeners attention only by music, not words. That caused me to study works of classical composers – just to get new perspective on instrumental music. I took one-year piano course just to widen my view of composing. And that opened new music horizons for me.

2. Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential?

I was hooked by rock-music when I was 14 years old. It started with discovering the Beatles. And that was unusual for a teenager to be a fan of the Fab Four in the mid of 90’s. All my peers listened to Nirvana, Metallica or Sepulture. But I was awed by unbelievable melodies of the famous British band. I bought my first guitar, started to learn chords of my favorite Beatles songs and of course began to compose my own ones. This is how my journey into the music realm started.

3. How would you describe your sound?

I like to keep it simple but powerful. Nothing compares to the raw sound of guitar singing in the waves of roaring tube amp. No zillions of pedals or time-based effects. Timbre shouldn’t be a core of your music, but harmony stricture and melody lines.

4. How many CDs have you released as a solo artist?

For the present I have two CDs released – “Cover” (2006) and “Theophony” (2008).

5. What is the name of your latest CD and describe the creative process that
went into it?

My latest CD called “Theophony” (2008) was released in June of 2008. It contains guitar instrumentals. The style of tracks varies from rock to blues and from country to chamber music. It was really interesting to see how some unsorted and scrappy pieces of music joined together in compositions. It was like a flow, which picked me up and carried to something unpredictable and intriguing.

6. Where did you record your latest CD and who was involved in the recording
and production of it?

I record and mix all my music in the home studio. That saves me lot of money, as I can go into a long quest for guitar sound or developing music movements of another composition. Nowadays, computers can make miracles for musicians. Just several years ago I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the recording quality I can get now easily without buying hours in a professional studio.

7. How involved are you in the recording process of the projects you have
worked on?

I recorded all guitar parts. The rest instruments were samples. I did all MIDI programming myself, as well as mixing and mastering. Yes, there was a lot of routine and I had to accomplish it alone. I wish all my music ideas could go into a CD instantly, without those time-consuming tech obstacles.

8. Describe some of the highs and lows of your musical career so far?

I wouldn’t say I had highs or lows but gradual evolving of my career, slow but steady. Even 5-7 years ago I wouldn’t have imagined anything of what I achieved for the present. I’m looking forward to see what it’s waiting for me around the bend.

9. How do you feel about playing live? What does your set up consist of?

Since I’m a one-man-band it was quite a story how I started to perform live. The computer technology helped me again. If you’re a guitar player and want to perform –you start to look for a band. But I discovered that I could perform solo, playing guitar along backing tracks, which I could launch from a laptop using MIDI foot pedalboard. I got necessary software and gear, rehearsed for while – yes, it was tricky in the beginning, but I managed to accomplish and achieve something, that seemed impossible for me from the first sight – to perform live and solo. Check my web to watch video clips of me on stage; maybe this will inspire you to go as a solo artist.

10. Who does your booking? Are you under management?

So far I do it all myself. I’m not under management, since I don’t have a lot of gigs.

11. What are your musical ambitions?

I know that it’s my calling to compose and play music. So far it’s a hobby, but I see as it’s drawing me more and more up to the professional level. It would be super great if one day I can do it for living. This is what I dream of – my favorite occupation becomes my job.

12. What music organizations are you affiliated with?

BMI

 

© 2009 Yonge Music

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