Our 28th Astrocast comes all the way from St. Petersburg through a DJ/designer/producer who goes by Mik Mo. In addition to his personal endeavors, he helps run a label/party called Safe’N'Sound, which in many ways sounds like a Russian version of Astro Nautico. This mix he sent over (which was recorded live at FM666, something like a Russian Boiler Room) is a an eclectic one, showcasing a mix of his favorite local and foreign producers in the scene and taking us on a trip “from sobriety to maximum dope” as he put it. Clocking in at almost two hours, it’s our also our longest Astrocast to date and a look into the new electronic and bass music he is helping to cultivate in Russia.

interview

1. What inspired this mix? You’ve got a wide mix of styles and genres, is this reflective of the music scene in St. Petersburg?

I was inspired by the day I had leading up to the recording really. I never prepare the mixes, only the first track. I have a big playlist of old and fresh stuff from my favorite producers from all around the world. I smoked, drank some beer, pressed record and started playing while thinking about Astro.

I don’t think that it reflects the real situation on the St. Petersburg music scene, but rather what I would like to see it become. Most guys you know from Russia are better known outside the borders of our country than in their native cities.

2. How has electronic music evolved in Russia to this point? What did you guys all grow up listening to?

All this music is still in the deep underground. In Saint-P really high quality electronic music is interesting for a few groups of strange people sitting at home at the computer and attending each other’s parties. Moscow has fared much better, but Moscow is not representative of all of Russia and you often don’t know what is happening in other cities. I am afraid that in many parts of our vast Motherland people have not even heard what electronic music is.

For me it started from sounds of Argentine and Dutch Techno in early 2000s and before that it’s not even worth mentioning. I grew up singing in chorus for 7 years, learning in musical school and playing drums in a rock band. I was introduced to the beat/bass music scene through Ras G and FlyLo about 5 years ago and after that some really sad events in my life inspired me to make Safe’n'Sound.

However, my true musical love will always be hip-hop…Pete Rock and A Tribe Called Quest.

3. What are some upcoming plans for the Safe’n'Sound crew? Releases? Tours? Collaborations? Remixes for t.A.T.u.?

My dream is to make the production for the new t.A.T.u. reggae album after they travel to Jamaica and realize their true purpose.

But before that, we are going to release our first compilation. It will be out very soon in October. I am writing music very rarely … I’m more involved in graphic design, DJing and organizing it all. I created and launched the site safensound.me. At the moment it is working in a test mode and will officially launch after the compilation is released.

I want to combine fashion with music. We just made our first collection Saint-P x Safe’n'Sound…Saint-P is one of the most popular Russian street wear brands and I’ve been designing for it, but it was a commercial project…this collection will be from the heart and soul, some kind of the first Russian premium class street wear. So you will be able to buy quality clothes and get a Safe’n'Sound CD with quality music with them.

My best friends have opened the showroom “Phunkie Market” and are selling brands like Neighborhood, Visvim, BBC, Raf Simons, Bernhard Willhelm etc. and so we want to collaborate to combine it all into one. Music will be given away for free in the store and they will write about clothing for Safe’n'Sound.

I’m not sure what it will become in the end but I hope it can work.

4. Tell me about Russian food – what’s good? Is vodka essential to the diet? What would your mom make us if we can over to eat?

What I really like is the fried potatoes my grandmother makes. That shit is made really differently than what you eat in McDonalds and so on. I’m not sure know how but it it’s really dope! Pelmeni are also great. Google tells me there is no english translation but it is some kind of meat , very good with sour cream. I am in love with cheese and scrambled eggs, but sadly it’s not russian food.

Vodka is essential for everything! For a diet, for food, anything…You better come over to eat to my grandma’s…I’m not sure what she will cook but I am sure you will not leave until you eat everything.

5. Who’s winning the space race? Or is it already over?

I don’t know…ask someone of who’s still not signed up to the Outer Spaceways Incorporated.

FROM RUSSIAN WITH LOVE