We seem to close our eyes to the horrors of the real world, say Bottled Fish - INTERVIEW
Photos Rony Thilakan
“Once in a group of friends, we started watching a humorous show on youtube. It was funny, but at some point, my mood changed dramatically, because we laughed at inherently sad things. Like when you’re watching a video where someone fell or something like that - it’s both funny and sad. I thought that people make up jokes about bad things, such as war, so as not to be afraid or upset, and this is cowardice in a sense. We seem to close our eyes to the horrors of the real world. Later that evening I wrote this song Ugly..”
How did Bottled Fish become a band, and how did you get to writing and playing music?
Asya: I have been playing violin and piano since I was 5 years old, since childhood. Back then I used to come up with different stories for myself, and then one day I decided that they would have made a great movie and that I needed to write music for them, so I started composing music. Then, when at the university already, I returned to music and over time it resulted in Bottled Fish..
Alexei:
My father had a guitar that he played occasionally. This had piqued my interest and after some time I learned to play some basic chords and simple songs. By the age of 16, I had a guitar of my own and as I was progressing, I decided to start a band. The band split up after a few years, but my interest in music has been growing ever since.
Nikita: Everyone played guitar and I decided to learn it as well. And after some time it was just too boring to keep playing by myself.
How would you describe your music?
Asya: dark and melancholic
Do you write songs together as a band or individually, and what is your songwriting process like?
Asya: I compose the melodic structure, text, and part of the arrangements, and then Nikita and Alex add dynamics, do the rhythm section, and do more production
Are your songs autobiographical or do they come from your imagination or both?
Asya: Both... they reflect my life and my personal attitude to what is happening in the world
You performed ‘Ugly’ for us. Where and when did you write the song? What is the story behind it?
Asya: Once in a group of friends, we started watching a humorous show on youtube. It was funny, but at some point, my mood changed dramatically, because we laughed at inherently sad things. Like when you're watching a video where someone fell or something like that - it's both funny and sad. I thought that people make up jokes about bad things, such as war, so as not to be afraid or upset, and this is cowardice in a sense. We seem to close our eyes to the horrors of the real world. Later that evening I wrote this song..
What part do your Russian or other roots play, if any, in your songs?
The themes of our songs are international, everywhere people have the same problems in one way or another.
How was your last release received both on digital platforms and on live stages?
We do not find this release really successful, but this was our first release and that was a large step for us and a lot of experience
What do you think about the Czech scene and how would you describe it to people who don’t live here?
There is a very strong music school here. And it is also inspiring, as, in the Czech Republic, many do not strive for world genres and create their own stage. So many people here participate in cultural life in one way or another - music, art, theater!
But it's a pity that the channels through which local bands can get to the world stage have not been established.
Who are your musical heroes?
Asya: Radiohead, Depeche Mode
Nikita: Joy Division, Pj Harvey
Alexei: John Congleton, Foals
What do you do when you’re not playing music?
Work... also game dev and writing music for other projects
Professionally, what’s your goal for 2021?
Album recording
Shooting clips
Expanding our listener base
And now 5 quickfire questions:
Name 5 artists or releases of the Czech scene we should check out
I love you honey bunny, Future gravity, Neko
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to
Depeche Mode, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave
What major artist would you like to work with and how?
Snoop Dogg
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
1) Keep it simple
2) In any incomprehensible situation, go to bed.
