MOSCOW, February 21. The Lyube concerts on February 22 and 23 at Moscow's Crocus City Hall are dedicated to the 35th anniversary of this group. The musicians shared their memories and secrets of popularity on the eve of their performances at the press center of MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
Convinced Matvienko “on the run”
Permanent soloist of «Lube» Nikolai Rastorguev:
«In 1985 I played in the ensemble «Leisya, Song», then for six months in «Rondo». There was no work at all , and I came to audition for «Hello, Song». Igor (Matvienko. — Ed.) At first did not want to take me, because the image of the ensemble was different: I had short hair, and everyone there had long hair, with fashionable rock guitars. I convinced him “on the fly.” They were going on tour on the day of the audition, and I said: “I’m going with you.” Apparently, I was under such pressure that he gave in.
A year later the team fell apart, but it was there that the songs “Dusya-aggregat”, “Uncle Vasya”, “Lyubertsy” and others were invented. They were included in the first record of «Lube».
Composer and producer Igor Matvienko:
«We were creative, not very obligatory people. Andrey Lukinov practically forced us to come to the studio, set a deadline within which we had to prepare several songs.
We had no idea what would happen in a year, let alone 35 years in advance. We went into the studio and tried to record what we came up with Sasha Shaganov, and Nikolai sang it perfectly.»
Nikolai Rastorguev:
«Lube» is not a project. Songs were written, then Andrey provided the opportunity to record it in the studio. There was no team — there was me, there was Igor, sound engineers, session musicians. They didn’t even know what it would be called.
I remembered this date: January 14, 1989 — our first recording. We later decided to consider it the group’s birthday.”
«With new songs you can leave to the sound of your own hooves»
Nikolai Rastorguev:
“I haven’t celebrated my birthday on February 21 for many years, because the next day there are always solo concerts. And I don’t really like all these parties, it doesn’t inspire me.
We will have a traditional concert, a lot of songs. We «Igor selected for this program what people really love and want to hear. It is very dangerous to launch new, untested compositions, because they may not work — and then you will leave under the sound of your own hooves.»
Igor Matvienko:
«Lube» is not a show group, not a pop performer, who makes some new elements.
Every time I watch from the audience: Nikolai stands on a point and does not leave it for two to two and a half hours. And some kind of magic happens: it’s as if he hypnotizes the audience.”
Nikolai Rastorguev:
“We are people who are accustomed to touring: even in vocal and instrumental ensembles in the 1980s, it was absolutely normal for us to give two or three concerts a day. And somehow there were 11 performances a day!
We are doing what we love, and this gives us pleasure. The main burdens are travel and sleepless nights.»
Opera «Prince Vladimir»
Nikolai Rastorguev:
“A grandiose event is brewing here — the opera “Prince Vladimir” is being prepared, dedicated to the baptism of Rus'. The main role is performed by Yaroslav Dronov, SHAMAN, and the role of his associate Fyodor is yours truly.”
Igor Matvienko:
«This is the first experience for all of us of working with such a large form. The story began almost ten years ago — with the release of the film «Viking». then I plunged into the study of the Middle Ages, began to read “The Tale of Bygone Years”, chronicles.
Now everyone is saying: patriotism. Unfortunately, you cannot become a patriot instantly. It's a very long way. You need to absorb religion, history, literature, and then patriotism will appear.»
Timeless music
Nikolai Rastorguev:
«The greatest song, which is already sung all over the world in different languages, is «I'll go out into the field with a horse at night…» by Igor Matvienko and Sasha Shaganov.»
Igor Matvienko:
«Combat», «Let's go for…». I’ll tell you more: the songs “Old Man Makhno” and “Atas” are also patriotic. We began to develop this topic a long time ago, back in the 1990s, when it was not a trend.»
Poet Alexander Shaganov:
«The most important thing is that 35 years have passed, and We're all still in the same harness.»
Poet Mikhail Andreev:
«The group holds on because everything permeated with humanity. We are united not by the design, not by the studio, but by the songs. The songs of «Lube» are a Russian phenomenon. When you listen to them, they go straight into the soul and heart.»
Sound producer Igor Polonsky:< /strong>
«This music will be timeless, because here is the super melodicism of Igor Igorevich Matvienko, who has absorbed Russian traditions, and amazing poetry, and the incredible charisma of the soloist.»
February 18, 08:00