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| Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva |
When I started to imagine this interview in my head to pose some questions to my friend and Russian musician Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva, I was a bit scared because while imagining her answers, I was thinking something like this:
"Is she actually my friend?"
"Will she kill me?"
"Who is Zombierella?"
"Must I become a zombie or a werewolf order to protect myself from her?"
But Svetlana is an awesome woman, a cool girl that loves Porto also and she is real kind to me, so she answered my questions quickly in a coffeeshop talk in the interview posted below.
I am thinking on developing some cool ideas with Svetlana with an exhibition of Zombierella as a character with help by International artists with how they "see" this woman and her character.
List of artists
Finland
Terhi Ekebom
Argentina
Dario Mekler
Belgium
Christophe Swijsen
Italy
Stefano Zattera
Rolando Cicatelli
Bernardino Costantino
Canada
Stan Wany
Japan
John Kurokawa
Mexico
Gaston Ortiz
Poland
Bartosz Jekiel
Portugal
Ead Weird
Spain
Jon Ander Azaola
José Luis Ágreda
Toni Benages Gallard
Ruben Pellejero
Sweden
Lars Erik Sjunesson
U.S.A
Bill Koeb
Jon Kutzer
Special thanks to my friend Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva that is an amazing woman and that's a really cool musician and has an excellent character.
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| Me and Zombierella - 01 |
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| Zombierella by José Luis Ágreda |
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| Zombierella by Rolando Cicattelli |
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| Zombierella by Christophe Swijsen |
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| Zombierella - 02 by Christophe Swijsen |
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| Zombierella - Toni Benages Gallard |
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| Zombierella 02 - Toni Benages Gallard |
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| Dario Mekler |
Interview to Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva as a musician/artist and a 21st century woman
01. You are Zombierella and you love to be called zombie if people can not remember your name. Are you a woman that loves to be lost in your own world as a musician?
Yes, I’m living inside my own world, as any artist who’s doing music, drawing, writing, making sculptures, movies etc.( any ways of creativity).
As ideas developpers we go down deep inside our universe, then we come back with something interesting, showing it on surface and people actually see that creature you bring them live.
Sensitive feelings are the ones that are hidden, it is a real cool atmosphere when you share them.
02. You are a simple woman from Saint Petersburg and you use several elements in your performances that come from gothic culture such as zombies, vampires, movie acthors Vincent Price, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney among others. What do you "see" in this genre of fictional culture as Zombierella?
Simple people don’t exist...))
As Zombierella I see all these guys as my friends...)
Everyone was born with some special features, I think I was born with some goth features.
I love horror, which is fun for me in some way.
And we didn’t spend Halloween in Russia as a kids by the way.That culture just came now here more or less.
03. You were bassist and vocals for Russian band Messer Chups and now you have a new band with a different concept. Can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m having few projects now.
Zombierella’s ‘Tentative Reels’, where I’m doing different collaborations and experimenting with covers ( ‘Suicide Commando’- first video is on YouTube now);
another one, which is ready and coming soon, sci-fi electronic Trivia,
for sure I will release surf music too ( back to my past music career)).
But my main band now, which is new, is The Bleak Engineers.
Together with Alexander Moralez ( who’s a very good electronic musician) we are doing a melancholic wave music, using live guitars, vintage drum machines and retro synthesizers.
The first release will go out in May on French label Six Tonnes De Chair.Will be collectible 7” vinyl.)Happy about)))
04. You look a lot like American actress Bettie Page with your own style but you are a shy girl.
How do you "see" yourself as a 21st century woman?
Who’s Betty?))
Who said I’m shy?)
First, I’m seeing myself drinking a coffee now in the morning.
Second, I could see myself different.
Doesn’t mean go with a flow and falling into waterfalls all together (smiling), but being curious and finding interesting things for your own in 21st century, in the past and in the future.
Third thing, continuing doing music and art.
FOREVER AND EVER!
(laughing like a cartoon villain)
05. You were in Porto. What do you think of this city? Were you a bit lost in it?
Very beautiful city, very nice people.
Really like it, just good and pleasant memories about.
06. I love how you appear, your presence and atmosphere in a video named Lipstick Twang by MC.
Do you still have that bracelet with symbols of simple card games?
Do you still kick cars for fun while listening to music?
Yes, I still have it, It is my favorite bracelet.
I have bought a similar one in Porto by the way in a little rock’n’roll store close to the club, because the first one became too old.
Not kicking the cars anymore, just listening to music now.
07. I know that you love Twin Peaks by American director David Lynch (you even made a parody of it in a video with you on it). How can you describe Twin Peaks Tv Series and the universe in it created by Lynch?
I have explained the process a little bit in my first answer.
David Lynch is a very generous and genius artist/director, because he’s sharing his deep universe with us, but he is also very professional, because he knows how to do that, knows the way and it’s a massive world influence among artists.
Also would like to add, it’s a team work, take as an example Angelo Badalamenti soundtrack in his movies, would it work without them???
Good team helps to have a successful result.
08. You are a cool girl. Can you tell us a bit of your origins in Russia and Saint Petersburg?
As everywhere you can see beautiful/cultural/smart things and something that is opposite.
But it’s my native country and a part of me.
St.Petersburg is very beautiful!Welcome!
09. Imagine that you are lost somewhere.
Would you prefer being a zombie or a vampire?
(I ask you this because people eat a lot of trash :) and I dont want to be someone's breakfast :))
I would probably prefer having a map inside my phone.I’m a modern creature...
10. In this new project with your new band, are you a different Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva or are you simply in another kind of mood as a woman?
As I told someone, I am always myself.
Yes, it’s a different kind of music, but it’s also dark influenced and it inspires me.
Question, quiz: Do you become another person if you usually prefer oatmeal for breakfast, but then you skip it for fruits?
Probably that’s another shade of your personality.
11. Do you eat popcorn while gazing at stars in this universe?
What do you as Zombierella think about this blue planet where we live in?
The only Popcorn I like, it’s the song that I have created.)
Universe is powerful, looking at the stars makes you forget everything at least for a second...
12. Do you prefer to walk in nature during the day or by night?
Love nature and walking any time except at night. I’m afraid of dark lightning but I have a good imagination...
All the best zombie wishes!
Stay creepy, my friends!
Ciao.
Zombierella
Many thanks to all international artists that support some of my ideas since I have started working with a paper woman that was Valentina by Italian maestro Guido Crepax in exhibitions all over the world and a book collection based on this italian artist works published by Fantagraphics with help by his family, the publishing company owner Gary Groth and his team as consultant editor in it and also a limited booklet dedicated to Crepax main character Valentina with help by more than hundred artists from several countries also all over the world (that can be read in previous posts in this same blogue) and now I am working with a flesh and bone 21st woman like Zombierella is.
Special thanks to my friend Svetlana Zombierella Nagaeva that is an amazing woman and a really cool musician and an excellent character.
