www.myspace.com/askuraalexandershkuratov
HMTV Canada: Hi Alex How are you doing?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: The standard answer to this question: I'm OK! Yes, everything is all right, but with one notation: the life cannot be completely ideal. Each person, and especially the Artist, answering that I'm ok , actually has in a life many problems and obstacles in a way. I'm OK, but...
HMTV Canada: 1. There is so much I want to cover in this interview. Let's begin with my first question when did your music career start? Have you been a Self Producing Solo Artist throughout your music career?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: At fifteen-year age I have touched Music for the first time. I have paid attention that she has slightly smiled to me. She has taken my hand and I have gone behind her, as the in love young man to the beautiful girl. I love her to this day. Music is a voice of the God. I am always devoted to the supreme spiritual feelings and I trust them all life.
My professional career began, when I have organized "Attraction" group. We were very popular in the USSR and in other countries.11 solo albums in the company the Melody have been released.
Album "1-st English in USSR". (Classic Rock 80-th). We opened the doors to the Uncertainty.
The first album in English in former USSR! "Attraction" has toured a lot throughout USSR and Europe. In 1989, a group was representing USSR on the international festival of pop rock music "Midem-89" held in Cannes (France).
My Rock-ballad "The land of sand" was on the top the chart on Swedish Radio (Stockholm) and was holding first positions in the hit parades of various European radio stations.
HMTV Canada: 2. Have you had opportunities to work with other bands or musicians? Do you own your Record Label? Whats it like running your label? Can you tell us your story in the scene?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: I worked and I continue to work with many musicians and popular Russian singers. I work with the Russian cinema, but I dream to write music for world cinema.
I cooperated with famous American composer Mike Stoller (songwriter of the legendary Elvis Presley) on a joint project of Russian and American composers under the name «Music is stronger than words ".
While composing music for the documentary film about Israel in 1994, I have met a world-famous Ofra Haza and her manager Alony Betsalel. Later on they have introduced me to the Europe music market.
After, my solo album "From nowhere" was published in Europe. It is the first album of project Askura (World).
I am the Independent Artist and consequently I am an independent label. But I am open to cooperation with the record companies which can publish my music, for example, - all project Askura World.
Long time I worked on a scene. It is very difficult to tell to you about all tours, adventures, successes... It was all so floridly, interestingly, but in Russia there has come adverse time for musicians and true creativity.
I gradually began to turn to the multi-instrumentalist. - I have the studio; I compose music, texts, and arrangements.
I release an end-product. It is pleasant for me - I create music face to face with God! All my ideas, a sound, are given birth in me and embodied by me.
HMTV Canada: 3. Alex while visiting your main web at www.askuramusic.com I was very much impressed with the Self Production of your Great Masterpiece of Music Projects –the different music generes ranging from ; World, Ethno, Pop, Rock, Progressive, Meditative, Christian, Rap, Techno and Trash. Can you collaborate on your Great Masterpieces of Albums from 2005-2007?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: Our world is diverse and consequently it is interesting for us. Also, the person is multipolar essence.
I cannot formulate my process of creativity in details; probably it is very complex combination of terrestrial and divine feelings. I live in Music from within. I feel her in all her genres. I feel musical instruments sound; I know symphonic arrangement though I have the diploma on specialization choral conducting. With pleasure I accept fashionable musical directions, but I not reject old school.
I do not know how in one person many styles harmonize. For example: symphonic music (album "Recovery"); Techno (album "Porridge"); Rock, Trash (album " Power and Glory "); Pop, R*B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul (albums " Night Moscow ", " It was in Hamburg "); World, Ethno, Progressive (Albums from the project Askura World: " From Nowhere ", " Enjoy my God ", Sight from Russia "," To the Light ") and so on. I respect all styles in music if it is made by the Master qualitatively and with internal energy.
When I work - Time stay out. There is a stream of energy in which my creative life flows. This stream cannot be stopped, as also I have no right to stand on a place. It is Great Pleasure - to be in process of creativity outside of Time, outside of Space.
I have made the courageous decision in the life, - I have composed an album " 10 Revelations " in which all texts are taken from "New Testament", and it is words of our God Jesus Christ. In an album are used many styles: Christian, art-rap, world, funk, rock and etc.
"Askura World" - it is the dominant project for me, because in this process I use set of styles and ethnic variety of our world.
I receive the big spiritual and emotional pleasure when I create compositions for this project.
Probably Someone have told me silently: " Alex, come on, concentrate your creativity on project "Askura World", that to make a Present to all people of a planet.
I think that during the period with 2005 on 2007 I have created important albums for myself:
http://www.askuramusic.com/my_music_eng/
Now I create the following album for the project Askura World.
HMTV Canada: 4. Can you tell us about Askura Alexander's Shkuratovs Boutique of Music?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: On a Boutique's page are placed only my albums. Everyone who wants to get my music, can come in Askura's Boutique and to do the own choice. On pages of albums you will see the banners of shops, such, as iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, MSN, Yahoo, etc. There you can get any my album. Also you can listen demo tracks, read the annotation of an album and so on. Welcome to Askura's Boutique! http://www.askuramusic.com/boutique_of_music_eng/
HMTV Canada: 5. The Creative Pojects of Askura Alexander Music is very interesting filled with the beautiful sounds of two other Solo Artist Irisha , and Nastasya. How did you discover Irisha and Nastasya? Do you write and produce all their great music? Where can we buy their songs?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: I work, as the musical producer with many Artists in Russia.
But I would like to present these two diamonds NASTASYA and IRISHA on the world musical market.
With Nastasya we met by accident. My friends came to me to listen to my new album and with them was NASTASYA.
For the first time I have heard her very beautiful original voice, when she sang together with my melodies. I liked this voice and I have suggested to her to sing a demo track. Unexpectedly for all and for me she sang so how I would like.
Here our first acquaintance has taken place. In this moment I have understood, I opened the new talented singer. Now we continue work on creation of her solo album.
NASTASYA dreams about the career of a singer.
IRISHA. She has come to me with the request to create for her a musical material. She study in State conservatory of M.I.Glinki's name of an academic vocal's class.
But IRISHA has decided to try herself in the other quality. Now we have the record of her solo album. I think, it is the interesting alloy of the academic voice and a commercial musical sound.
For NASTASYA and IRISHA I am the author, the teacher, the musical producer...
I think, that good record companies will offer to them contracts.
I hope, their creative career will be successful.
If somebody want to get MP3 tracks, it possible to do on their Pages:
NASTASYA
IRISHA
HMTV Canada: 6. Alex I noticed that your Music Masterpieces are in Video Production. Do you self direct and create all your Musical Theatrical Productions? What is the story behind your video Nightmares about?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: In 1991 I have established music theater "Thriller" and start to work on the big show "Nightmare". The troupe was arranged from musicians of the "Attraction", stunt men and dancers. A wide selection of decoration work was done including scene decor, original costumes, moving constructions and flying mystic personages. The latest technologies were used in production. I have personally executed all the script, music and production work. The show took place in 1992 in the sport complex Olympic in Moscow. This show was broadcasted over the Russian national TV channel, and national television of Israel, Germany, and Japan. You can come to my personal site on a page "Show" where you will see full information about this gigantic show. I think, it very interestingly: http://www.askuramusic.com/show_eng/
HMTV Canada: 7. Alex have you had the opportunity to work with other celebrities in the past or any important Professional Entertainers and Media PR in the US or Canada?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: Yes, I had creative contacts with world stars, had joint performances with them; had many contacts with foreign mass-media.
In Moscow I worked with such known artists, as Mike Stoller, CINDI LAUPER, Ian Gillan, Doro Pesh, "Roxette", etc. I was well familiar with Ofra Haza and I am very grateful to her for support of my first album from project "Askura World".
On big festivals In Moscow I worked together on a scene with some known world Artists.
Long time I cooperated with American company "SHURE". "Attraction" group advertised their production in Russia.
Tele-channels "FUJI TELEVISION" and "SUPERCHANNEL" made documentary film about my creativity and stages of creation of my show "Nightmare".
SNN did some reporting's on my creativity.
Purposeful promotion of me as the Artist in territory of America and Canada was not. Only now I began promotion of my music to the World, I hope that this process will be successful.
HMTV Canada: 8. Alex when it comes to religion and philosophy in the world today what is your opinion of the psychosis of humanity? How can inspirational music fill the void to heal and comfort the human soul?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: Endless sources of the mass information have loaded mankind from head to foot. The person, being in a captivity of infinite mass of the information cannot find for itself the true information. It is similar to dreadful delirium.
People absorb all successively, without analysis. It concerns and to music. The eating of spiritual food should be carefully analyzed to let in to the consciousness the useful and preventive information.
The style of my music (I speak about project "ASKURA WORLD") differs that in it there is a space for meditation and comprehension of your individual in this world.
I am a Christian, but in the compositions I use breath of all world religions and beauty of variety of cultures of different nationalities.
I advise to people: take kindly to yourself carefully. Do not load itself the negative information which withdraws you from true.
I address to Heavens at creation of music, I try to fill my Music by Divine Energy.
I hope and even is confident, that Askura's music will help to lift your head up and to gaze into Heavens.
I have sayings on this theme. If it is interestingly, please go on my personal site on page "Sayings": http://www.askuramusic.com/sayings_eng/
HMTV Canada: 9. Alex what is your favorite Aphorism saying about music?
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: My favorite aphorism it's: "Music is divine language of dialogue between people".
HMTV Canada: 10. Askura Alexander Shkuratov it was a pleasure and honor interviewing you. I learned a great deal from your main website www.askuramusic.com very educational. Thank You , You Rock. HMTV Canada.
Askura Alexander Shkuratov: I am very grateful that you have given to me an opportunity to tell about itself. I am glad, that you have interest to my creativity.
In spite of the fact that we live in the different ends of our planet, I have an opportunity to speak to the world thanks to you.
I was sincere with you and I liked your questions.
Let music to continue our conversation.
Forever!
Brought to you by Hollywood Music TV Canada Tina
Published interview
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