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 …OF EMOTIONS AND ENTITIESTimofey “Thymo” Mineyev, is a part of ‘’Realm Ex Music’’ creative Association which is concentrated mostly on artistical form inside of rock and metal music, but Thymo himself is one hell of a guitarist who leaves no one indifferent, and who’s just released his newest record entitled ‘’Panorama’’, where you can hear all the splendor of his experience and technical skills, but also to face his capability in creating of fantastic atmosphere and surrounding within the music. Thymo was excellent person for the interview, and I’m very proud for having this opportunity to talk with such kind and pleasant person like he is. Thymo was very detailed in answers, and we talked about everything from things about ‘’Panorama’’ material to his education, act in ‘’Realm Ex Music’’ and many other things. Enjoy!
Hello Thymo, or better to say Mr. Mineyev, how you doing these days, busy with music? Hello there! I’d say music is busy with me. It always has designs upon my time. You have been involved in a lot of the projects, which have exploring a various musical forms, doesn’t that making difficulties to you, in terms that you creatively torn on many sides, and aren’t mainly focused on one form? I see making music as developing new ways of self-expression, as long as I can fully express myself I'm satisfied, whatever style or direction of music it takes. For me personally, focusing means restricting myself to music in general. The roots of these lay deep in the composing process, which is the very beginning of every melody and every song. I pick out notes that would be most suitable for this or that emotion, it can be a hard process at first. But when you “strike a vein of gold”, the music come pouring from each and every pattern and sound. All you have to do is to pick up these ideas, usually they are not related with each other, but these are sources that can give birth to many streams - that is what my multiple projects are – Angelize Project, Rose in Chaos, Audiokino. As a musician you’ve evolved a lot, and I must say that ‘’Panorama’’ is your finest work till date… What influenced you to make album like this, and do you really believe that end of the world smiles upon us with dawning of December of 2012? Thank you for the compliment. I really believe that it is so. I wanted to have influence on the audience as a composer blending styles and showing a completely different aspect of instrumental rock music. Although tracks do not form a general concept, the approach of filling music with numerous ideas is piercing the entire album. Regarding 2012, if there will be an apocalypse, it will be the one I express. Calm words have better effect than those shouted, in the same way a silent apocalypse seems most plausible and real. Whatever is course of matters on Earth, let us do our best not to be ashamed of the way we live.  How much of time did ‘’Panorama’’ did take to be completed? Also, why such short album? I mean I really enjoyed in music, and when I really get into the material it end up… I took me one year to compose, record, arrange and mix the whole album. The more I develop as a musician, the more attention I pay to small details. Actually, I see the whole world music market as a competition in scrutinizing smallest details of music. A jeweler’s occupation seems closest to the one of the modern musician. I spent averagely 3 months on each composition on "Panorama". As of the shortness, there is a good proverb: brevity is the soul of wit. But honestly, I wanted that album to be special and intriguing, with each composition emphasized and distinguished. What musicians have inspired you during the years of playing, and what’s the main influence that have motivated you to become musician? When I was a kid, I wasn't too much sophisticated in styles and bands. I cared not about the names and people performing, but only about the energy they conveyed through their records. I listened to various music, some pieces were really strong and touching, whereas others were commonplace and unimaginative. I felt that I would change the elements within and the song would be better. One day I said to myself that I will do my own music, and I would enjoy each and every sound of it. So, the initial impulse was to be 100% satisfied with what I hear. I always preferred songs and pieces strong in general composition rather than skills of individual musicians. That is why “Panorama” is not a typical crazy guitar album. When you composing tracks, what kind of thoughts are flashing through your head? How much of emotions and feelings you incorporating inside the songs? What things inspiring you while you work? Thymo project is the kind of music aimed at touching listeners and making them empathize with feelings experienced in the process of its creation. I really believe it is the case for any music. If a listener feels at least a part of whatever the piece is charged with, then a composer has reached his goal. “Panorama” can be considered as a collection of dramatic ideas and emotions, one of which will definitely pluck the strings of your heart, that is what I want. These are not chaotic ideas but logically connected thoughts or plots, which are self-sufficient as stories and can be embodied in any form, music included. Regarding inspiration, my fellow musicians often say that various events in their lives give them a pulse to create music. I have definitely passed that step, as I find inspiration in myself without external impulses. Process of music composing can be carried out independently of things happening in the outer world. It is the world autonomous and self-sufficient. I change my mood according to the thing I play or compose as it contains its own emotions and ideas. All you have to do is to blend with the mood of the song, feel it from within and give it life; it is the translation of abstract entities into music entities. What you think of instrumental works of Steve Vai and Daryl Strummer? I deeply respect these two musicians. They demonstrate virtuosic guitar work and great composition. However, I rarely if ever listen to that kind of music, because it’s guitar playing on the foreground, everything else mainly accompanying on the background. However, there’s one exception, Yngwie Malmsteen, as he truly puts anger and passion into his playing. For me he is an ideal combination of a composer and a performer. I love it when the whole power of ensemble strikes you in an instant rush, each and every musician playing his best, no backgrounds. In union music is strong. What I don’t like about typical guitar music, with apologies to whomever I might offend, is that it is nothing more than a guitar music. Music is a power tool which should move and drive. An integral part of it is the passion, anger and energy - that what rock is. I try to do the music that would not tolerate being turned on as background to anyone’s eating or reading, it demands respect! Have you any opportunity to perform your music in concerts and how people reacts on your music? Also, what range of ages can be seen on your live performances? I had a couple of opportunities of playing my music live. That was a great experience and people like the stuff. But I'm not sure whether loud playing is better for mind digestion, than private insight into that kind of music. I would recommend the latter. Listeners are mainly young people, not teenagers definitely. A good thing about it was that people became interested, and whatever energy I sent I found response in the eyes and faces of the audience, both young and older generations. How much of emotions you share with people, I mean on interaction with audience while you’re on stage, and when playing live, do you go with much improvisations are just plays the regular form of tunes? Just as I mentioned earlier, I try to express my understanding of music, idea enclosed within, and render it to the audience. Playing live is a great experience of communication during which I try to tell everything down to the smallest detail. One thing is definitely true, smile of a performer makes him one step close to any audience. As for the technical part, improvise or not improvise...The best practice, which has proved itself for years of live my performances both as a member of bands and as an individual musician, was to learn the part note by note. So while on stage, you can have something to firmly hold to. Only in this case improvisation is possible and can be used without fear of getting lost in rhythm and tune. How hard is to be musician in Russia, and are you have day time jobs besides your devotion to music? You know, Russia is very big, we have great music community. Probably, there are places where ordinary rock musicians earn money with their own music. But I can tell for sure, than hardly anyone of these rockers earn enough to make their living. In my city of Yekaterinburg which population is about 2 million people with a comparatively developed rock subculture, we only invest in music and get pleasure of doing our favorite hobby but in fact no money. Best paid are cover versions of famous classical and pop songs, that’s why many cover bands play at the restaurants and corporate holidays. But if you compose your own music, just few people are interested in paying for it. This is pure enthusiasm. The overwhelming majority of us have to take day time jobs. I have a full-time job and still find the energy and will to do the music in the rest of the time. But we are all in this situation. Best musicians I’ve worked with, have never asked for a smallest payment for their work, because we all understand that is only we who pay for what we do, getting no support. I really hope that things will change in the future. What’s your musical background? I took up a guitar when I was fourteen. I've been attending private guitar lessons for a little less than a year and went on practicing on my own, getting tons of information from Internet. At the age of 15, I got my first electric guitar and I joined a school band. Approximately at the same time, I've started making my own music under the title of Realm Ex . The school band has ceased to exist, I was invited to play the guitar in a local band with guys that were much older than me. That was the first real experience of rock atmosphere. Then I left my native town and entered the university in Yekaterinburg. In 2005, I formed the “Sumerki ”band there; we've been rehearsing and performing on various stages for a year, then I had to close this project due to lack of time and ideas for its development. Nevertheless, for the period 2000 to 2005 I’ve managed to record 4 demo-albums for my instrumental Realm Ex project. After a year or so, I was again invited to play the guitar in a metal band "Silent Sky". Unfortunately, the band never gave me all I wanted from music, but my outlook became much wider. I after quitting this band, with all the experience I was so much serious about my instrumental project. In 2007, I have released the “Comprehension of Self” album. In a couple of years, when my music has developed into 3 more projects, I had an idea of creating some kind of association of musicians involved in the joint creation of music. Who actually stands behind ‘’Realm Ex Music’’? Is that community, or to be precise, association that growing? Now, Musical Creative Association “Realm Ex Music” is represented primarily by 3 musicians: me, Dmitry “Diamond” Sosnov, Pavel Terentev. However, I cannot but mention other great persons which I frequently invite for recording sessions: Juri Sakhnov, Ekaterina Knyzkova, Irina Marchuk, Boris Zhivurov. As to music, "Realm Ex Music" is mainly comprised of my projects, but I have already received proposals from other bands to join the "Realm Ex Music" association. I really believe that is a great step in our development which will soon enable us to unite the best musicians in making great music. "Realm Ex Music" is open to any projects and bands as long as their understanding of music is close to ours. Have you ever as one of ‘’Realm Ex Music’’ association have any guitar or any other instruments ‘’clinics’’ in Russia, or some similar experiences? No, I think there are a lot of playing clinics already. I have nothing to give other musicians in terms of performing skills. But as for composing and feeling of music, I have a couple of things to say, since hey can really help to understand and express music. In the end, feeling of music is much more important than all the technical skills in the world. Music is not a sport competition. What’s going on with your past projects like Audiokino, Angelize Project and such…? They are waiting in the wings. Audikino has another big plot, which certainly will have its outcome. I don’t rush finishing large things, as this will spoil the whole work. The new Angelize Project is under process. I have recorded a couple of things already. The album will be softer and it will certainly feature new voices. The greatest efforts are aimed at the new album of “Rose in Chaos" project which we do together with Dmitry Sosnov. I hope the release will take place in autumn of 2010. It be will a very serious and ambitious work that will fuse lots of genres and ideas like nothing on earth. As a musician, have you ever been involved in something like to play as background guitarist or something for some pop stars and such in Russia? No, I've never had and probably never will be engaged in that, due to the lack of time and interest. How much hard or easy is to be musician in Russia, I mean, how much are non-profit musicians are appreciate in your country? In terms of profit, hardly anyone gets any money for playing their own music. However, there are many festivals for playing live to the audience. Rock music is supported as a youth movement, not as a professional activity. Nevertheless, the music community itself is great, and many people form rock and metal band for doing it as a hobby. Also, how good are selling points of music that is more close to art form than some commercial based style? They are incomparably lower. But that is not that important, as art music is not aimed at making money but at introducing new tendencies to the music and expressing new ideas. What you think of Eurosong contest? Positive or negative attitude of yours upon that competition? I think it is another opportunity for the talents. The organization or participants may fail, but as a fact itself, any kind of competition is a way to show yourself to the world, that is why I turn my thumbs up. Russian rock/metal scene is very vital and alive last 20 years, but as far as I know, most of Russian bands, musician and artist are more related to some black metal and folk forms, how you look upon that, as trend or something else? The whole thing is about promotion. We have a full range of whatever-you-may-imagine metal. The fact that certain bands are more well-known to the world community confirms that they have better arranged their promotion process. I wouldn't speak of any tendency to black metal or folk metal. There are various bands with performing and composing skills meeting the world standards, but they lack promotion. I, on my part, try to change that situation for the better. Also, at the end of the eighties have Russian musician that goes metal had problems with government, in terms of style that they play…as far as I know, your system was very strict and censored oriented towards the metal music? I was born in the end of that epoch and I have personally never experienced any problems with government or system. There was misunderstanding on the social level in the 90-ties. But it has gone. Now, long hair and pierced ears, or simply weird appearance can shock hardly anyone. What you think about acts as Aria and Gorky Park which gained world recognition, especially Gorky Park, they have gone to America at the beginning of they carrier, how are they treated now in Russia, still playing in big venues and stadiums? These bands have done great job. Especially, Aria. They have become the symbol of Russian rock music to millions of people and united masses in love for metal. Since I've been the fan of Iron Maiden, I've never liked Aria and their music, but I cannot but admit their contribution to the Russian rock culture. Gorky Park have made world-class music, but as soon as I know, they have never been a “people's band”. They are well known in Russia, but I’ve never seen anyone wearing their T-shirts or bags. Some members of Gorky Park are now doing their own, primarily, pop music, and are well known in Russia as individual artists. What’s the situation with recording studios and labels in your country? In my opinion, the overall level of recording studios is catastrophically low. That industry is still in the course of its development. Most sound engineers lack experience and cannot achieve necessary standards in terms of metal recording, it is the equipment problem as well. That's why certain Russian bands prefer to go to Europe for production, mixing and mastering. Still there are great examples of Russian music production, which signifies the overall potential and perspective for future. As for labels, the situation is even worse. The majority of Russian labels are interested in black metal and extreme subgenres of metal. There is a couple of major melodic, power, progressive etc. metal labels, but it seems close to impossible to get their support, and I doubt whether it worths it. Cover-art of Panorama is very nice, how did you came in contact with Roman Corvinus, and are you alongside with him created the concept of cover? I found information about him on the Internet. I’ve been working with Roman since 2009 starting from Audiokino album, which is also his art-work. He's a great professional who subtly feels art and music. The concept of Panorama was certainly developed jointly. Do you think sometimes, about how would look or better to say, how would sound to mix native/folk Russian music with your playing style? Or even maybe, to create some musical concept that would relay on poems of Pushkin, Turgenev or maybe Esenin? That is a nice idea, which has its reasonable and promising grounding. Probably, a similar project is still to come. However I’m sure, we have our own words to say that will not be worse. Have you ever heard of any Serbian rock or metal band? Or maybe if I ask you, have you heard for Djordje Marjanović which was very popular in Russia back in 60’s and played at stadium ‘’Lenjin’’ fifteen times in a row, and also been awarded with Order of Friendship of Peoples at the end of eighties by that time president Mikhail Gorbachev? No, probably I was too young for that. What’s your opinion about today’s style of living, do you think that everything goes to fast, and you ever regret about some past times, when we haven’t been so much into technology stuff, but peoples souls and mind were much brighter and clearer? I wouldn’t mix soul clarity and technology. For me, today's technologies and gadgets facilitate communication with the world and allow people to express themselves better. I see it as a great means of achieving our goals. I like living high-speed, and when I need a break, I can simply switch off the mobile and the laptop. The thing is not about devices, but about the way people consider them. This is a little bit personal question, you don’t need to answer if you don’t want to, but what you think about the things as extreme nationalism, it seems that thing is widespread in Russia lately, I mean, I wanted to ask you, what you think what’s the cause of that? The cause of it is always the same - the lack of satisfaction and ways of self-realization. I avoid these things. What was your best moment in your life as musician, or maybe to say, have you ever been awarded for something in your carrier, and how much that affected on you as person? I perceive the entire time of doing music as one best moment of my life. I didn't get any award as a musician, but awards matter much less than inner freedom that I’ve found. I really appreciate the respect and recognition that I receive from my music colleagues. Your top five albums of all time are…? Saint-Preux – To Be or Not Pink Floyd – The Division Bell Iron Maiden – Fear of the Dark Enigma - MCMXC A.D. Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygene What are your plans with ‘’Thymo’’ project will it be something of the long run, or you have other musical projects on your mind? “Thymo” project will surely develop as long as there is new material for it. Nevertheless, instrumental art metal puts certain restrictions, and I cannot issue pure electronic music or hard rock, or songs with vocals under its title. I enjoy creating new things. If new material will differ from what I did for “Thymo”, it will be released under other name. This would be all for this time Thymo, I hope we will have more opportunity to talk with you. Thanks for your time for this interview. Last words are yours. Don’t be afraid of discovering new music, consider it not from the point of sound quality, but the inner fullness. Answers by: Timofey “Thymo” Mineyev |
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