Affinage (band)
Affinage | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Russia |
Genres | noir-chanson, folk rock, acoustic rock, alternative rock |
Years active | 2012–present |
Members | Mikhail Em Kalinin Aleksandr Sasha Om Yevdokimov Sergei Sergeich Shiliaev Aleksandr Koryukovets |
Website | Official VK page |
Affinage (Russian: Аффинаж) is a popular Russian band which plays songs in its own style of noir-chanson. Founded by its songwriter and lead singer Mikhail Em Kalinin (Russian: Михаил "Эм" Калинин) and bass player Sergei Sergeich Shiliaev (Russian: Сергей "Сергеич" Шиляев) in Saint Petersburg, in 2012. Named after the process of purifying an impure metal (French: affinage).
Since its formation the group has released five studio albums, six EPs, nine singles and one compilation. Musicians are actively touring across Russia and Belarus, they take part in the popular Russian festivals (such as Nashestvie[1][2]), their songs are played on famous radio stations (e.g. Nashe Radio[3][4][5][6][7][8]) and hit major music charts[9][10][11][12], however Affinage hasn't got and has never had producers, labels or large sponsors[13].
History
Mikhail Kalinin and Sergei Shiliaev met in Vologda in 2007[14]. Sasha Om and Aleksandr Koryukovets also became friends there. In 2011, Shiliaev and Kalinin moved to Saint Petersburg, where together they tried to create an "ordinary rock band". However, after several months of unsuccessful searches for musicians, they decided to concentrate on the acoustic duo, which was originally planned to be called Ya i Mobius yedem v Shampan' (Russian: Я и Мёбиус едем в Шампань), which can be translated as I and Möbius are going to Champagne. The duo was the first rehearsal on March 13, 2012. A few months later musicians met with bayan player Aleksandr Koryukovets[15].
Before the release of the debut mini-album the trio Affinage rehearsed a lot and played live concerts. On September 21, 2012 was the first performance of the group — in the club "Baikonur" (Russian: "Байконур") in Saint Petersburg[14].
In the fall of 2012, musicians met with trombonist Aleksandr Sasha Om Yevdokimov, who soon also joined the band[15].
Before the creation of the group its members were engaged in individual creative projects. Sasha Om worked on music project Sasha Om (Russian: Саша Ом), Sergey Shiliaev played in the post-punk band Her Cold Fingers, Em Kalinin wrote poetry and worked on a solo project (a)SPID (Russian: (а)СПИД).
Aleksandr Koryukovets and Sasha Om have musical education and are professional musicians. Em and Sergeich haven’t received a musical education (Em is a journalist, and Sergeich is a culturologist), they studied music on their own[15].
Style
All russian lyrics of the group (except for cover versions) are written by Em Kalinin.
The band plays in the range from light indie to extreme directions, from pop-rock to dark folk, but it keeps the face and its unique sound, considered an original and one of the most authentic in Russia. Layered powerful bayan, ornate bass lines, melodic trombone, acoustic guitar, vocals ranging from a gentle half-whisper to an emotional tear, general polyphony — sometimes the band sounds like a full-fledged orchestra[3].
Since the beginning of the band's existence, its members have postulated that they are musically working in the synthetic style of noir-chanson, which contains references to many genres of pop and rock music of the twentieth century, classical urban song (both Russian and Western European), alternative rock of the 90s, Russian rock tradition, Russian folklore, western dark folk and modern indie sound. In an interview 2018, bassist Sergei Shiliaev said that the term noir-chanson was an attempt to separate from existing tags, to have their own face not only musically, but also formally — to be designated by a new definition[16]. At the same time music observers say that the band plays "acoustic rock with the addition of free folk, theatrical drama and the sophistication of rebellious arrangements, which is more characteristic of sparkling free jazz"[17], point to the unusual sound of the band[18]. According to Russian music critics, "if the rock was not born in England, but in Russia, it would probably soon become like Affinage plays it"[17].
Soundtrack
The musician and writer, member of the Kino band Aleksei Rybin used Affinage’s songs "Nravitsya" ("I like", Russian: "Нравится"), "Sodom i Gomorra" ("Sodom and Gomorrah", Russian: "Содом и Гоморра") and "Sasha" (Russian: "Саша") as a soundtrack for his debut full-length feature film "Skoro vso konchitsya" ("It will all be over soon", Russian: "Скоро всё кончится"), 2017, which was in the main competition of the festival Kinotavr[19][20], and also was awarded with the prize of the Rossiyskaya Gazeta and its online festival Double dv@[21]. Rybin said that the songs used in the film are not random and were chosen for almost a year. They have a meaning and are perceived as "internal monologues of characters"[22]. The Affinage’s compositions attracted attention, according to Rybin, also because it don't use a rhythm section at all[23]. Film critic Elena Stishova noted that "passages under the soundtrack cause associations with Balabanov's films"[22].
Band members
- Mikhail Em Kalinin — lyrics, lead vocal, guitar, ukulele
- Aleksandr Sasha Om Yevdokimov — trombone, backing vocal, percussion, guitar, keyboard
- Sergei Sergeich Shiliaev — bass, backing vocal
- Aleksandr Koryukovets — bayan, backing vocal, percussion
Discography
Studio albums
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Ya i Mobius yedem v Shampan' | Я и Мёбиус едем в Шампань | I and Möbius are going to Champagne | 2014 |
Russkiye pesni | Русские песни | Russian Songs | 2015 |
Russkiye pesni. Poslesloviye | Русские песни. Послесловие | Russian Songs. Afterword | 2016 |
Sdelay more | Сделай море | Make the Sea | 2017 |
Zoloto | Золото | Gold | 2018 |
EPs
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Affinage | Аффинаж | Affinage | 2013 |
Deti | Дети | Children | 2013 |
Letayu/Rastu | Летаю/Расту | I'm flying/I'm growing | 2014 |
Mira | Мира | Mira or Peace to you! | 2017 |
Ty, kotoryy nashol | Ты, который нашёл | You who found | 2018 |
Komnata s lichnymi veshchami | Комната с личными вещами | Room With Personal Belongings | 2018 |
Compilations
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Luchsheye za 5 let | Лучшее за 5 лет | Best of 5 years | 2017 |
Singles
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Davay druzhit' | Давай дружить | Let's be friends | 2014 |
Luchshe mne ne znat' o tebe nichego lishnego | Лучше мне не знать о тебе ничего лишнего | I'd rather not know about you too much | 2014 |
Nravitsya | Нравится | I like | 2014 |
Nike (Yeyo Kholodnyye Pal'tsy cover) | Нике (Её Холодные Пальцы cover) | Nike (Her Cold Fingers cover) | 2015 |
Mechta (single version) | Мечта (single version) | Dream (single version) | 2016 |
Sberegla (tribute Kalinov Most) | Сберегла (трибьют Калинов Мост) | You Saved (tribute Kalinov Most) | 2016 |
Schast'ye | Счастье | Happiness | 2016 |
Luchshe Vsekh | Лучше всех | Better than All | 2018 |
Naprasnaya obida | Напрасная обида | Senseless Resentment | 2018 |
Featuring
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Zalech' na dno v Avtovo (ekhoprokurennykhpodyezdov feat. Affinage) | Залечь на дно в Автово (эхопрокуренныхподъездов feat. Аффинаж) | To lay on the Bottom in Avtovo (ekhoprokurennykhpodyezdov feat. Affinage) | 2016 |
Klyki (25/17 p. u. Affinage) | Клыки (25/17 п. у. Аффинаж) | Fangs (25/17 with Affinage) | 2017 |
Moryak (25/17 p. u. Affinage) | Моряк (25/17 п. у. Аффинаж) | Sailor (25/17 with Affinage) | 2017 |
Covers
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Sberegla (tribute Kalinov Most) | Сберегла (трибьют Калинов Мост) | You Saved (tribute Kalinov Most) | 2016 |
Mozhesh' letet' (cover Animal Jazz, sbornik "Shag Vdokh. Tribute") | Можешь лететь (кавер Animal ДжаZ, сборник "Шаг Вдох. Трибьют") | You May Fly (Cover Animal Jazz, a compilation "Step Breath. Tribute") | 2017 |
Videos
Transliterated title | Original title | Translation | Year of release |
---|---|---|---|
Affect | Аффект | Affect | 2013 |
Sasha | Саша | Sasha | 2013 |
Nravitsya | Нравится | I like | 2015 |
Prygayu-Stoyu | Прыгаю-стою | I'm Jumping I'm Standing | 2015 |
Mechta (single version) | Мечта (single version) | Dream (single version) | 2016 |
Luchshe Vsekh | Лучше всех | Better than All | 2018 |
References
- ^ Румянцева, Татьяна (2017-07-04). "Нашествие-2017: расписание выступлений по дням на площадках рок-фестиваля" [Nashestvie-2017: Schedule of the rock festival]. KP.RU — сайт "Комсомольской правды" (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ Докучаев, Игорь (2018-07-26). "Нашествие-2018: расписание выступлений по дням на площадках рок-фестиваля" [Nashestvie-2018: Schedule of the rock festival]. KP.RU — сайт Комсомольской правды (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ a b "Аффинаж" [Affinage]. www.nashe.ru — Наше Радио (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ ""Герой моих детских грез" | НАШЕ Радио" ["Geroy moikh detskikh groz" (English: "The hero of my childhood dreams") | Nashe Radio]. www.nashe.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ ""Сидней" | НАШЕ Радио" ["Sidney" (English: "Sydney") | Nashe Radio]. www.nashe.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ ""Моряк" | НАШЕ Радио" ["Moryak" (English: "Sailor") | Nashe Radio]. www.nashe.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ ""Солнце" | НАШЕ Радио" ["Solntse" (English: "Sun") | Nashe Radio]. www.nashe.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ ""Напрасная обида" | НАШЕ Радио" ["Naprasnaya obida" (English: "Senseless Resentment") | Nashe Radio]. www.nashe.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ "Пятерки номинантов Премии "Чартова дюжина"" [Five nominates of the prize "Chart Dozen"]. Наше Радио (in Russian). 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ "Объявлены пятерки номинантов Премии "Чартова дюжина" 2018. Старт народного голосования" [Announced the five nominees "Chart Dozen" 2018 Start of the popular vote]. Наше Радио (in Russian). 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ "Чарты, рейтинги, хит-парады | "Ты, который нашёл" — 4-е место в ТОП-10 Альбомов на Google Play" [Charts, ratings | "Ty, kotoryy nashol" (English: "You who found") — 4th in the Top 10 Albums on Google Play]. InterMedia (in Russian). 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ "Чарты, рейтинги, хит-парады | "Комната с личными вещами" — 2-е место в ТОП-10 альбомов на GooglePlay" [Charts, ratings | "Komnata s lichnymi veshchami" (English: "Room With Personal Belongings") — 2nd in the Top 10 Albums on Google Play]. InterMedia (in Russian). 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ "Лидер группы "Аффинаж": "Наше творчество — это анатомия внутреннего мира человека"" [Leader of the band Affinage: "Our work is the anatomy of the human inner world"]. 78.ru | Официальный сайт телеканала 78 (in Russian). 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ a b Овчинников, Николай (2018-04-05). ""У нас круто не любить Россию": "Аффинаж" — о плохой музыке и репостах, за которые больно" ["It's cool here if you do not like Russia": Affinage — about bad music and reposts, which hurts]. Афиша (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ a b c Бояринов, Денис (2018-08-07). ""Аффинаж": "Вкусы по-прежнему формируют массмедиа"" [Affinage: "Tastes are still formed by the mass media"]. www.colta.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ Певчев, Алексей (2018-07-25). ""Аффинаж" — о петербургском флере, волшебстве акустики и самых необычных выступлениях" [Affinage — about the St. Petersburg's cover of mystery, the magic of acoustics and the most unusual performances]. m24.ru — Москва 24 (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ a b Алексеев, Александр (2018-04-06). "В Москве пройдет презентация макси-сингла группы "Аффинаж"" [Moscow will host a presentation of the Affinage's maxi-single]. Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ Мезенов, Сергей (2015-07-16). "Дайджест русскоязычной музыки: июнь" [Digest of Russian-language music: June]. www.colta.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
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(help) - ^ "НАШИ на "Кинотавре"". Наше Радио (in Russian). 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ Сухагузов, Максим (2017-06-16). "Кинофестиваль "Кинотавр-2017" в фильмах и песнях" [Kinotavr-2017 Film Festival in films and songs]. Афиша (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ Кичин, Валерий (2017-09-08). "В Екатеринбурге при переполненных залах прошел II Уралкинофест" [In Yekaterinburg II Uralkinofest gathered full cinemas]. Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ a b Мякишева, Юлия (2017-09-06). "На уральском фестивале показали кинокартину о конфликте на Украине" [A film about the conflict in Ukraine was shown at the Ural festival]. Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ Куропатенко, Анастасия (2017-06-23). "Экс-гитарист "Кино" Алексей Рыбин: "Я ориентировался на Trainspotting"" [Ex-guitarist Kino Aleksei Rybin: "I was guided by Trainspotting"]. Новости Краснодара (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-09-18.
External links
- Official page on VK
- Channel on YouTube
- Affinage on Instagram
- Affinage on Facebook
- Affinage on Bandcamp
- Affinage on Yandex.Music
- Affinage discography at Discogs
- Affinage discography at MusicBrainz
- Affinage on SoundCloud
- Affinage on Google Play
- Affinage on iTunes
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