Gaining their footing as a rock band, the Russian group Pompeya has since evolved into a dance pop act who makes good use of driving dance beats, big hooks, and shimmering hooks to get their point across. Today C-Heads brings you the brand new video for the appropriately titled “Real.” Part indie rock anthem and part disco banger, the group fires on all cylinders on the title track of their newest record, which they consider to be their most mature effort to date.
Words by Andy Gorel
Cover Photo by Aurélien Buttin
Artist Photo by Dmitry Bubonets
Individually, how what drew each of you to music as you were growing up?
At the age 6 i remember me always singing to myself a “fake” english language.
I tried to imitate all the instruments at the same time, I pretended to be a radio, playing song by song with a fake DJ saying fake band and song names. Truly iRadio. Have no idea how i was look like from the side. Probably weird. I also remember playing on air guitar while listening to my favourite Russian post-punk band Kino. At 6 y.o. I had favourite rock band! I never listened to the tapes themselves. I needed to get up on the couch (on stage) and pretend that I was was I was listening to.
Funny thing – as a kid, i never wanted to be a musician. I hated music lessons.
You started out playing rock music, but eventually shifted to new wave pop. Where did the inspiration for shift come from?
It came from frustration. We felt that we were missing something. At the same time, being a band 3 years, we understood that we’re trying to play music that is much younger than we are. That kind of music was performed by guys 5 years younger. So we took keyboards, start learning sequencers, making songs of a different angle. We tried to express ourselves as true as us. What we’ve done – eventually sounded like 80s music. We just kept doing it.
You sing your songs in English, which isn’t uncommon for European artists, but what made you guys want to create art in a language different than your native tongue?
As i said – to me it was natural thing. Before i realized that if i sing all my life fake songs in a fake language – why not turn them into real songs? Why not try to be international? This is still a challenge for the Eastern European band.
Being from Moscow, you guys got your start touring in Eastern Europe, which in terms of music is an area that isn’t always in the spotlight. What was it like touring those parts so extensively, and how does it compare to the Western world?
Actually we never toured Eastern Europe much. We toured Russia a lot (and still touring a lot).
We’re basically living between America and Russia. Sometimes we visit the nearest countries, like Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Moldova – but i can’t say that we tour those a lot. We’ve been in West Europe once in spain, netherlands, england and twice in france. Compare how many times we toured Russia and America – it’s almost nothing.
Are there any Eastern European artists who have been a big influence to you guys? Either musically or just growing up.
Some Russian artists – yes. “Russian rock” – new wave in USSR was big. Kino, Nautilus Pompilius, Agata Kristi, Aquarium and many more.
Once you started touring and making music in America, was there any sort of culture shock?
I wouldn’t say “shock” in a bad sense of word. We grew up under the western influence in 90s. so we expected to see a lot of things we saw in movies, heard in music, all the cultural stuff. We’ve been impressed, of course. First time in the states – LA – second time in the states – NYC. First impression is highest. Now it’s faded a bit since we travel the states very often. But still very much enjoying it.
You consider Los Angeles to be your second home. How does the city contribute to your music?
I really hope it has influenced on us. We’re in love with this city. As musicians we feel very comfortable being there, making music, recording, performing in the venues. And, by the way, all the new material upcoming in 2017 was created mostly in LA.
In terms of lifestyles, or the people, how does Los Angeles compare to Moscow?
Not comparable. First of all – it’s different climates. We can compare LA with Sochi (where Olympic Games 2014) or Krasnodar – the most sunniest cities in Russia. I wouldn’t compare people though. People don’t like being compared.
What has it been like navigating the US music industry as artists who first gained their footing in the industry in Moscow?
It’s been interesting for us, learning a lot. But with help of our mgmt and the label it’s been fine.
Have fans received your music differently in the states or Western Europe than in Eastern Europe?
We’ve gained fans all over the world. Obviously in Russia the most.
You’ve got a performance coming up at Miami’s House of Creatives Festival alongside acts like The Flaming Lips, Crystal Castles, and Cold War Kids.
It’s going to be a pretty large performance on the beach in Miami, a bit different of a climate than back home in Moscow.
What are you guys expecting that performance, and what have you been doing to perform for an American festival audience?
For us it’s going to be the biggest festival in USA so far. I’m proud of all the team that made it happen. They got great headliners, great line up and it’s cool that we are part of it. We’re doing good in Miami and around so we expect nice support from fans. We are going to show our best during the show. All the new material from current LP as well as our early songs will be performed live. Not a big laser show – but some good new wavy/funky vibes to the people!
Your new record “Real” was released last year. Lyrically, it’s definitely a more mature effort than your 2011 debut, Tropical. Where did the inspiration come from for these songs?
Any new song is a new challenge to me as I am a foreigner. I use help from other people to improve the lyrics. This time it was Dave Hartley (from The War On Drugs) as well as Shakri Amirkhanova who were participated in all previous albums. The title song “Real” was written half and half with Dave. All the ideas are just a scratches from nowhere. Not a single song has a real story behind. Sorry) They are not actually Real) But we trying to input in the songs as much believability as possible.
We’re also premiering the video for the title track today, which is a bit different from a lot of your other songs in the fact that it is more of a ballad. Where did the influence for the track come from?
This is one of two songs that was not recorded in studio. When we worked on the “Real” song in a rented house in LA we wanted to create a true ballad. Huge ballad. Like “Nothing compares to you” or “Crying in the rain” (well maybe it’s not a very slow ballad but whatever). This was the last song created for the Real LP. Before it got it’s name. My first idea was to make it an opening track… However label was against it. Label – 1. Me – 0.
How do you feel you’ve grown as musicians and songwriters since starting Pompeya?
It’s been 10 years since we started the band. And we’re growing up every year. Now I feel we’re almost there… almost… wait a second.. now there! Done!
