Time is something very perceptible and elusive at the same time. We say: “Our time has come,” “those times have passed,” and so on. Maybe people will associate, recollect, and reinterpret the end of the first decade of the new century, among other things, through the music of S.K.A.I. The guest of The Day is the leader of this band, Oleh SOBCHUK.
S.K.A.I. won in the nominations Best Vocalist of the Year and Best Album of the Year, according to the Jam-fm award NePopsa, as well as the Best Rock Band of the Year nomination from the Ukrainian Music Awards. Besides some inner satisfaction, how did you benefit from it? And what would these awards mean in Western show business?
“In my opinion, after the NePopsa award was established, Ukrainian rock started reviving. Having emerged as a phenomenon during the first Chervona Ruta festivals and having become stronger at other festivals, it went underground afterward. Obviously, the connection between rock bands of different generations was severed. To be honest, I like the format of awarding. The fans can come and freely socialize with their idols. Everything is civilized and democratic. No artificial distance.
“Definitely, after we won these awards, we started getting more orders. I do not want to compare our domestic show business with the Western one, because we have show nor business here. I sometimes have an impression that we live in a kingdom of distorting mirrors.”
In 2006 your band performed on the stage of the Kyiv Opera House at the celebration of an anniversary of one of famous banks. With your maturation, were your fans changing?
“Students are still the most dedicated audience. In this period one thinks about the trifles of everyday life least of all. You’re inspired, enthusiastic, and in love! From morning till night you want to listen to music. Tell me, would you make your way through militia’s cordons to get an autograph of your favorite band? Neither would I. But at the age of 18-22 it’s so much fun! Obviously, we get older, and our fans do, too. That performance before bank employees in night dresses and tuxedos was very exciting. But it was no less pleasant to hear in Vinnytsia from an ordinary man, aged about 50, that he liked our song ‘Best Friend.’ Looking at him, I would hardly say this. He looked like he would like folklore at best and Russian songs on criminal themes at worst.”
At least one generation grew up with the music of S.K.A.I. As a star of this generation, what do you want to convey to it through music?
“I want to talk about love, good, youth, and freedom. It depends on a song. After all, in my compositions I share my experience. And the understanding that this was experienced by someone before you makes choices, challenges, or life itself easier.”
What is more important to you: the drive 13-26-year-olds receive at S.K.A.I.’s concerts or the reserved evaluation of a relative, colleague, or partner?
“Both are important. Each member of our group gives himself completely to the performance on stage, so it’s natural that we want feedback. We try to establish a connection between us and the audience every time. Especially we consider suggestions of our producer Eduard Klim and director Oleksii Rudenko. My 7-year-old daughter Tetianka also tells me which songs she likes. And now she sings a few songs from the new album. I am amused by the fact that she sings the songs which I singled out as well. But the words of the DDT leader Yurii Shevchuk are, perhaps, most memorable: ‘S.K.A.I. plays modern Ukrainian romantic rock,’ he said.
“You know, the famous music video director Iryna Myronova wrote in her book that praising musicians cannot be excessive, because they spend so much physical and psychological energy when they write or perform songs.”
Do you eagerly praise your colleagues?
“Absolutely! Jealousy is a disease of show business. By the way, when we just moved from Ternopil to Kyiv, we were very open to communication. But we were given a cold shoulder and were treated warily. But anyway, if colleagues play great, I’ll tell this by all means. If they do a poor job, I’ll keep silent unless they ask for comment.”
S.K.A.I. often participates in charitable activities, even initiates them. Recently you joined the world community in the struggle against AIDS, performing the song by the Beatles “All You Need Is Love,” which was sung simultaneously by stars from different countries.
“By the way, this didn’t earn coverage by the Ukrainian mass media, but never mind. You know, once I felt a strong aspiration to initiate a charitable concert in Ternopil, and the proceeds were given to local orphanages and used to buy a fridge for a children’s department of the Ternopil regional hospital. Now I realize it was God. At that moment, after many attempts, my wife Masha and I were finally waiting for our son Arsen. After this gift from Him, God wanted me to take care of the unfortunate children who are deprived of parental love and kindness.”
As I worked with S.K.A.I. once, I had an impression that you’re a team of somewhat “biting” people, but you have something more in common than just show business. These are certain values that unite.
“Apparently, we’re united by music. We know what each of us is capable of, even if we improvise. But most of all we are united by the place we are from – Ternopil. Here in megalopolis it is felt even more.”
Would anyone from another city be able to be “accepted” by your group?
“Sure. But we share common past, which keeps us together. Otherwise we would have broken up – there were moments provoking it. I know that my musicians would stand through thick and thin for me. And I would do this for them, too, regardless of whether it is about honor, personal questions, religious views, national interests, etc.”
On numerous occasions I saw stadiums singing your hits and youth making their way through militia’s “chain” for autographs. On your way from the stage to the dressing room or a bus you’re escorted by guards. Were you ready for such tremendous popularity?
“I suppose our popularity is ahead – in spring a new album will be released. I’m confident in this material. But popularity is not an end in itself. Our end in itself is professional skill: coming on stage and playing sincerely, earnestly, energetically, and dynamically, so that the audience would leave the concert being happy! Before coming on stage I always have the jitters – I feel the responsibility… I simply live in correspondence with myself. For some period they were making stars of us: stylish haircuts, ultra-fashionable costumes, etc. We looked artificial. Sure, we felt different then. Time has passed. The S.K.A.I. musicians have matured. Now that you know a real value of success (for example, recording the second album we ate only buckwheat) – remember I sing “who you are and where you’re from” – now we can try on ultra-fashionable costumes. And we will feel psychologically comfortable. They will not influence out hearts.”
COMMENTARY
Serhii ARKHYPCHUK, film director:
“For me S.K.A.I. is an embodiment of real rock music. I associate it with the bands I listened to in my youth: Deep Purple, Slade, Led Zeppelin, Nazareth, Suzi Quatro, etc. They were so penetrating, sincere, desperate, full of lyricism, and freedom-loving. S.K.A.I. has all this. Against the background of nearly ousting the male gene from the Ukrainian society – this is a very masculine band.
“It doesn’t use overly exotic things (grotesque or exalted) in the struggle for fans. The guys are colorful types. For example, their guitarist Sashko (Papa), who would look quite natural in a modern British film, and the rest of musicians bring unique karma of a willful and unruly Ukrainian samurai.
“I worked with S.K.A.I., particularly, in the charitable tour ‘Faith and Love’ that was held under the aegis of the Head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Eminence Liubomyr (Huzar). This tour was a kind of message from the church, His Eminence, and musicians to youth, and S.K.A.I. had an important place in that message. With their hits and special sound, they looked conceptual at the end of the concert. The band is an embodiment of a good taste and could compete with musicians outside Ukraine. But in Ukraine it doesn’t have the respect it deserves, because we have a poor, spoiled taste, diminished values, and, because of historical cataclysms, a weakly developed instinct for a good attitude, respect, and pride with regard to our own people. But I’m sure that the big shots in the mass media will finally see.”
Volodymyr LAVRENCHUK, CEO, Raiffeisen Bank Aval:
“In November 2006, we organized an important event – a concert at the National Opera to mark the rebranding of our financial institute: Bank Aval was transformed into Raiffeisen Bank Aval. By means of this concert it was important to send a message that we are a Ukrainian bank with foreign capital that is dedicated to the development of Ukrainian economy and Ukrainian values. That is why various Ukrainian musical performers participated in the concert: from Dmytro Hnatiuk to Ot Vinta.
“S.K.A.I. was among this vivid mosaic of prominent musicians. We are thankful to the guys from the group for their agreement to participate in our activity. For me S.K.A.I. is an absolute embodiment of the positive atmosphere that has existed in popular Ukrainian music since the times of Volodymyr Ivasiuk. These guys offer ‘live’ music and word, profound texts, and modern arrangement.”
Yurii SHEVCHUK, leader of DDT (Russia):
“S.K.A.I. plays qualitative, romantic, and penetrating music. It sings about seemingly simple things: love, friendship, respect, warmth, evolution of our hearts, and life as it is. But in fact, behind the props of everyday life and human masks, we are all in search of this authenticity and humanity. This is a team of great people whose view is directed to the sky, both literally and figuratively. In other words, despite the realities, they look at positive, vital values. And one can feel it in their songs. The guys, unlike many other musicians, have a social position. And I can call them my friends. I’m sure we’ll play together at many concerts both in Russia and Ukraine.”
