A young man who was born in the Soviet Union but got to America due to his parents. Music always was a part of his life as he reached Yoshitoshi and King Street Sounds, and also made a friendship with Danny Tenaglia himself. His own label is called Elektrosila where we can find many quality works as well. The name is Roman S

Where were you born, what kind of milieu has formed your recent music?

I was born in the Soviet Russia in the city of Saint Petersburg (then called Leningrad). 

Growing up in the Soviet Russia, despite a tremendous amount of cultural and scholastic heritage and history, we were not encouraged to be an individual or to develop our creative side. However, I was driven from a young age by the mystery of sounds blending together. My parents and people close to me barely recognized my creative nature but still allowed me to pursue my artistic talents. They surrounded me with creative people and the fascinating world of the arts. While I was still a young man I moved to New York City.

My sound is formed by all of my past and present experiences, some darker, some lighter; it really depends on my emotional state on the day that I go into the studio to work.  I feel frustrated that I cannot change the world situation (wars, hate, violence, murders, jealousy and greed) or even my own situation at times. I have never been able to express my emotion in words so I am glad to have found an outlet for these feelings.  My music is not just a result of anger and frustration, it goes both ways, love, beauty and joy also drive me creatively. I am influenced by well written and produced songs or musical piece, friends and peers, people on the dance floors, a book, a visual or a beautiful person even a bad day, person, a strange encounter…

 If you were to listen to all of my music from when I started over a decade ago until now you could probably see me mature as an artist as well as an individual.  My sound is really a map of my life: all the good and the bad points, it is constantly evolving, perpetually adapting.

Roman S, what does this name mean, a DJ, a producer or both?

I would love to give you a great story about how I became “Roman S.”, unfortunately there isn’t one.  Roman S. is just my first name and last initial. Simple as that; I started using “Roman S.” until I thought of a stage/artist name I liked, I never planned on using it as a professional name but when people started to recognize my music under the name ”Roman S.”, I was forced to keep it.  I purposely do not use my full last name because I value my private identity.

Most of the producers don’t like this question, but what kind of genre could you classify your music?

Very hypnotic dance music with elements of various genres and some trickery and magic. I think if you asked a variety of listeners to classify my music genre you would get many answers.  It sounds different to different people.  You take what you want from it.

You use other artist-names, why? What are the differences between the different names?

I used to use various aliases in the beginning to stay private and be behind the scenes.  I also thought that people expected a certain sound from Roman S. so if a track or album came out sounding totally different I would change up the artist name.  I don’t do this anymore though.  I have a distinct style, and I am confident and stand behind what I produce…you never know what you are going to get from Roman S. , It all depends on where I am in my life.

Here are few examples:

RUPT Connection was used for Portuguese markets.  It was an acronym for RUssia/PorTugal Connection. It was an inside joke between myself and Kaos Records, but after the success of the first record “Together We Can” I had to use it again for the follow-up releases. Ciro also was out of necessity, I was under contract as Roman S. at the time Yoshitoshi signed “Horn” and I used the name of a dear friend and mentor.  Red Square was used long ago with King Street Sounds/Nite Grooves. Roman Shelepanov was used once inadvertently on *69 With “Show Me” remix, and Ghosts in Flavours was the name of our band, I was one of three members, and it was well before I existed as Roman S.

Who played a part in your releases? I mean your producer works.

In the past I have worked with many talented producers and dear friends, Cevin [Fisher], Danny [Tenaglia], Taras M. [Discrete Encounter], DJ Vibe just to name a few.  Although I have worked with many “big” names, I don’t want to be judged for whom I know or have worked with. Collaborating can sometimes produce an amazing piece of music but it can also cause conflict and a clash of egos. While I am happy to work with other great producers I usually work alone.  I want my music to reflect the time and energy that I have devoted to music production and I appreciate all that software companies and engineers, who make abstract concepts a reality, do to keep me wanting to learn something new and still be excited about what is yet to come in music production.

Please, tell us something about Elektrosila. Why was it established? What more can it provide than other labels?

Elektrosila is not only a label but rather a concept of what we feel a label should be.  A group of talented musicians, producers, engineers and graphic artists got together to start a label that would give an outlet to talent that deserves to be seen and heard. We are able to deliver great music to people via iTunes, Beatport ,Dj Downloads, TrackingSpain and so forth who would never find it if these artists had to wait to be signed by other labels.  Elektrosila has pressed and released vinyl and has just released the second CD in Russia, but our main focus is digital downloads. While we would like to be financially successful, we are not driven by profits. We want to give fans and artists a way to bring ideas and talent together and get people back onto the dance floors and we hope to wake people up from their “sleep”. Let’s all start using our minds and energy and become a strong, independent freethinking people.

What do you think about the future of record industry?

I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. I am open to progress - new technology and things like this. But I want all producers to have an outlet for their music – not what the “machine” or so called “industry” wants you to hear but what the producers are actually saying and expressing. “Music Industry” used to be a term that we (artists, producers and musicians) called ourselves, but now it has become a consumer driven business.  Huge corporations are forcefully feeding “music” to the masses that is easily marketed with several different product tie-ins. And these conglomerates have made it a priority to fiercely and relentlessly compete in these day and age for market shares.  I do not think that many individuals have a chance to search out music that they love because the market and air-waves are so saturated with big business’s product. We are constantly told what to buy, what to like and who to idolize.  We are in a time that pop stars/idols are manufactured to sell substandard.  I think that the industry will stay the same for a while…unfortunately.  I also believe that as long as there are good artists there will be fans of our music who will search us out.  This is the real reason that Elektrosila was created.

If I’m right you work also for King Street Sounds. What’s your task exactly?

You are right. My position at King Street Sounds/ Nite Grooves is Head of A&R. I sift through every demo that is sent to us. I personally listen to each one that comes in, even if I know that it is not for us.  I feel that out of respect for the time that went into putting a demo together and searching out information about our label and finding a means to deliver the demo,  they deserve to at least be opened and listened to.  If it is something that is right for our label I contact the artist and we sign the track or commission the remix.  I did however start at King Street over a decade ago as an intern and over the years worked my way up to A&R, which was the right way for me to do it. I have learned all aspects of the label so I can now appreciate the hard work that goes into making it work.

What are the essentials of the releasable music? How do you decide what is suitable for release?

We simply have to like it.  If it’s a well-produced track that we like we will sign it. But I can’t give out all of our secrets, can I? :)

You helped a few Hungarian producers’ release at King Street Sounds. What do you know about Hungarian music scene beside them?

“Helped” is not the right word. It was good music and talent  that deserved to be heard. I just happen to get in contact with Zoltan and Muzzaik after hearing their productions. True talent will somehow get out there. As for the Hungarian music scene, I really know close to nothing about it. I would love to come to Hungary with a performance or just to sightsee and taste food J Only then will I get a better understanding of the culture, the people, the music and the soul of Hungary. I really believe in Eastern European block – some of the most amazing and innovative remixes and productions are coming out of Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Russia these days. I am thankful to all those people who share their vision with me.

“Conscience & Money don’t go together”

MySpace: www.myspace.com/romanselektrosila

Web:   www.romansmusic.com

            www.elektrosila.net

            www.kingstreetsounds.com