Side Stage Magazine Interviews Moscow

Written By: Alexis Coleman

Side Stage Magazine Interviews Moscow

Side Stage Magazine got a chance to interview, the ‘Queen of Sin’ herself, hailing from Russia but calling Los Angeles her home, MOSCOW. We got to ask her questions about her youth, love of musical theatre, traveling the world and her powerhouse single that is making waves in the industry.

Having moved to England at the young age of 16 and then went on to explore the world, a nomad of sorts, she hasn’t slowed down ever since. With a musically trained background and love of Rock, MOSCOW is a force to be reckoned with.  Now just coming of age in her twenties, MOSCOW is ready to take on the Rock world by storm. 2017 seems to defiantly be the year of MOSCOW.

Side Stage Magazine: At 15 when you wear living in Russia, the music scene was mostly made up of pop artist. Your taste was more Rock/Hard Rock driven, however it was extremely difficult for anyone to break down the doors in the genre.   You have stated that you had many friends that helped you and guided you to never give up on yourself or dreams.  How has that advice they gave you help you succeed and get where you are today?

Moscow: I was born and raised in circles far from the rock scene, so when I first met my future best friends, the whole atmosphere of underground rock struck me. Those guys, covered with tattoos from head to toe, rocking their dreadlocks, doing what they love to do 24/7 won the heart of a 15 year old girl in a second. But what amazed me the most was how they treated each other – the russian rock scene is more like a family. To this day, I’m extremely grateful I’ve met those people, and I still think of them as a family. My path in the music industry started from the day I walked into that rehearsal space and I knew THIS is what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life. 

At the age of 16, you decided to leave Russia and move to England, can you explain a little about why you left at such a young age on your own?

I’m not the one who thinks local, GO BIG OR GO HOME is my motto, so from the day I realized I’m gonna be a musician, I knew the Russian scene was not the one to conquer… the world seems more appealing. The UK was my first destination out of many. That is where I got my foundation in performing arts.

You have been known to be quiet the nomad in many ways, not living in one place. You have lived in New York, London, Los Angeles and Paris,  all of which have a rich music and art background.  However, when you reached Los Angeles it spoke to you and now you call it home.  What exactly was it about LA that stole your heart?

Being highly influenced by classic rock bands, like Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, etc. I was always reading their biographies, learning about their paths. Sunset Strip was something so alluring and unattainable at the same time. Every city I lived in always had me feeling there was something missing, until I came to Los Angeles. This is where my heart is beating. 

You are trained in musical theatre with focuses in dancing, acting and singing. You have stated this is your true love.  Do you dream of gracing Broadway or any musical stage one day to explore that dream and passion you have?

I love musical theatre, but I wouldn’t say its my dream, never has it been. Rock music is the only thing I gave my full heart to, and if i could I’d marry it. Performing is my passion – whether it’s dancing, acting or singing. As a musician, I truly believe you have to be a triple threat when it comes to delivering it on stage. As for Broadway, writing and staging a musical is in my bucket list for sure. 

With that being said about your love and training in musical theatre do you believe it has made you the fierce performer you are today? Do you bring that aspect of performance in your live show?

As I stated previously, I don’t separate performance into different aspects. If you want to be a good performer – learn how to move, learn your body, learn how to act, how to connect with the audience and learn how to sing. 

Brian Steele (Gemini Syndrome) and Shawn McGhee (Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, HellYeah) produced “Queen of Sin” what does the song mean to you and how was it working with such big names in the industry?

The ‘Queen Of Sin’ idea, when we started writing it, originally was based on the philosophy of Nietzsche and Antoin LaVey, which basically says that YOU are your own god and your own devil, YOU are in charge of your morals, to decide what’s good and what’s bad. Listen to your own Queen Of Sin, if you please, which we all have deep inside. Working with Shawn and Brian was great. We wrote and recorded 3 songs in 6 days. When I walked into the studio, I knew we all were on the same page. Since it’s pretty hard to find people who think the same way you do, I was lucky enough to start my career with people I can fully trust and relate to. 

RAGE (Hatebreed, Trivium) worked with you on the “Queen of Sin” video and has stated “one would think she’s already toured the world several times and have sold a few million albums…on set she was fearless, her natural charisma just overwhelms you…”, do you believe that your life experience and training has made you the women you are today having started in music scene at such a young age and now only in you early twenties having wisdom exceeding your years?

I believe I made myself the woman I am today. There are plenty of people with much more experience than me, who still don’t understand the simple rules of life and nature. On the other hand, I know some extremely wise and smart people who’ve accomplished a lot by the age of 17. As I like to say, try to be the best version of yourself, improve yourself daily, gaining toward the ultimate unreachable goal of a ‘perfect you’. 

You are well on your way to becoming a household name already with “Queen of Sin”, what are your plans for 2017?

I don’t limit myself with time frames. Writing more material, touring and performing is what I see my entire life as. We’re playing a showcase at the Whisky A Go-Go on February 6th, and from there who knows where the crazy unpredictable ways of life will take us. What I can say is keep your eyes and ears open for Moscow, because we’re not going quietly! 

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