We’re absolutely stoked to have Anastasia Zems on as part of the series in light of her string of releases last year on the likes of LYO, Human Endeavour and Why People Dance.
First and foremost, can you tell us a little bit about the energy behind this mix, is there anything you would prescribe doing while listening?
This mix is the quintessence of everything I usually listen to before going to a party or performance. It is energetic, rocking and sets up the right mood before the weekend. As for the favorites of this mix - it's Joe Lewandowski - Late At Night from Nothing Is Real label, I love this producer and his style. I've played this track very often at parties over the past couple of months.
Congratulations on your EP ‘Confession Time’ released at the end of last year on Ransom Note’s sub-label, Human Endeavour. It’s a real mix of many genres from acid to new beat to cold wave - can you tell us a little bit about the process and stimulation behind this EP’s sound?
Thanks! This EP has a long history: it all started with an invitation to record a mix entirely of original tracks. It so happened that at the time of this invitation I did not have enough material for an hour, and I had to finish my demos in a short time. After the mix was released, the label manager of Human Endeavour, Rosie, asked me if the tracks already had plans for release and immediately offered to take them to the label's debut EP. Then there was a long work on finalizing the tracks and bringing them to mind and in this autumn, it came out. These tracks are the result of searching for my style, I tried different things and even despite their stylistic differences - they look harmoniously together and have a common mood, at least it seems to me so :)
Your alluring track “Out of Context” released on Les Yeux Orange’s Driving Blind (Vol.3) compilation last month features ghostly vocals over some fat acid basslines which is a signature Anastasia element - have you always been a vocalist first and foremost or did you begin experimenting with vocals after getting into music production?
I have been practicing vocals since I was 5 years old: I sang in an ensemble, musical theater and since I was 13 I have been practicing jazz vocals. I performed at competitions, participated in musical projects, and became interested in electronic music at the age of 15. When I started produce music, it became obvious that I could bring to the tracks what I know best - singing. I'm still trying to find a balance and experimenting with options for how it might sound. I want more vocals, but this often makes the track somehow too pop and the track becomes a song.
“I performed at competitions, participated in musical projects, and became interested in electronic music at the age of 15. When I started produce music, it became obvious that I could bring to the tracks what I know best - singing. ”
Who are some of your biggest influences and who are some people we should be keeping an eye on from the St. Petersburg scene?
For well-known reasons, it so happened that this year a lot of artists left the country and are not in St. Petersburg now. But, nevertheless, significant artists from St. Petersburg for me are: Maruwa, Kirill Shapovalov, Radial Gaze and a new discovery for me - Orchid. But, I'm talking about artists whose music is similar to mine, we still have a lot of guys who are engaged in other genres.
What is next for Anastasia ?
2023 will be a year of changes for me: I started it in Turkey, now I have returned home, I play at my favorite venues and with my favorite promoters and in April I plan to move to Europe, in Portugal. Thereby I expand the geography of my performances. At the moment, several remixes are planned, 2 collabs, one of which is with Radial Gaze on the XXX label. And my new EP is in the work, I hope it will be released by the end of the year.
Stay up to date with Anastasia Zems here!