“It was started in the late 90s by Moscow composer and musician Eugene Voronovsky. Under the name of Cisfinitum, he has taken a syncretic approach to an often codified genre, uniting drone ambient, noise, concrete sounds and experimental structures. Cisfinitum releases have shown a capacity to synthesize these factors at times while emphasizing the contrasts between them at others, sometimes over the course of a single track. Cisfinitum has a very specific emotional style lying within the boundaries of drone ambient and noise.” [via official website]
How would you summarize this past year on an artistic and personal level?
This year was mostly dedicated to soundtracks for theatre and animation. I’ve composed music for several videoclips, the ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ play and cartoon series. This year experimental music is presented by the reissue on CD of my very first album, that was produced in 1999. Surprisingly, this CD was pressed in Ukraine at the same time with the political events. Also, my track was published with the first Indian compilation of dark ambient on CD this year, plus remix on the Old Europa CaFe label. In addition, I had a great opportunity to give concerts in Madrid, Moscow and Bremen on good stages. And finally, I’ve met an ideal partner and collaborator for my projects – Moscow noise artist Inna Echoes, and now we are playing and perfoming toghether. Also, as a sound producer I work with a Russian post-rock project. However, most of my time this year I have dedicated to academic and classical music as a violinist in symphony orchestra.
Which album have you listened to most often this year (not necessarily released in 2014)?
As for me, this is probably the new album of Andrew Lagowski if to speak about new releases. Also, the new album of Reutoff is very good, I began to listen to them more often lately. But by the number of plays in my place still leads early DAF – it’s pleasant to listen to them in the morning on vinyl.
What was the best gig you’ve attended?
This year there was a concert with the band named ‘Awed’, which I came back to after several years of absence. In the center of Moscow, with massive sound, night open-air. Also, the concert in the center of Madrid on the roof of Casa Escendida, and in Bremen in brick elephant statues were also very impressive.
What was the best non-music related cultural experience you’ve had?
This year we had a small buddhist Pūjā in the center of Moscow, at the only Buddha statue of the city. Police surrounded us and were ready to take away us to the PD. We were lying on the ground right in the middle of the sidewalk, singing mantras. Also, visiting the catacomb of ancient monastery in Montenegro made a powerful impact on me.
Was there an event within this past year that has significantly influenced your philosophy and outlook on life, or your perception of the world around you? For instance some specific place you visited, people you met and so on?
Nothing influenced on me more over the past few years, than visiting Babaji Ashram in the Indian town of Ranikhet. There I received a spiritual rebirth, according to my feelings. Also Muniraj – a very respected man in India – gave me ancient Sanskrit name Yashwant, which translates as ‘One who has achieved glory’. After this, let me say, initiation, I moved to France and then to Montenegro, where I lived in isolation and solitude a couple of years, digesting and realizing what had happened to me. It seems now that I’m ready to return to social activity. Also, my visit to Bremen and friendship with the Troum band means a lot to me.
What was your greatest disappointment in 2014?
Russian politics with Europe and changing of cultural climate in my country to some ugly way for me.
Your plans, hopes and expectations for 2015?
More gigs, making more experimental and psychedelic music, more communication and highlights in life. I finally met a person close to me, and we are planning some interesting travels. My retreat came to an end. If we talk about the concerts – apparently, soon Cisfinium with me and Inna Echoes will support live perfomance of Earth in Russia. And then we’ll see…
Official website
Cisfinitum bandcamp
Santa Sangre 