09.06.2014 Interview Russia.
Newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda"
Stefan Oldsal in Novosibirsk:
"Trying not to use foul language and have given up smoking."
Translated into English by Xenia Gerasimova - Design SusannCk - Placebo Anyway
Stefan:
Good evening! (In Russian)
Correspondent:
Stefan, I was in Instagram and saw the photo with the ironical sign " THE
SADDEST GYM IN THE WHOLE EORLD. AZIMUT HOTEL. NOVOSIBIRSK, SIBERIA". Is it
all you can say about Novosibirsk?
Stefan: I
am surprised how fast the information spreads nowadays. I remember our first
tours and in order to call somebody firstly you needed to spend much time to
find the possibility to do it. And now you have already seen our post on
instagram. Everything developes so quickly. The moment with gym is what amused
us. And moreover it's interesting to me how Russian cities alike. I haven't
been here, but it's like I have been here and seen all these places.
Correspondent: But
most unlikely you have seen or could imagine such picture in your mind:
recently orthodox public men have broken the performance of Polish metal band
"Hippopotamus", because their tour was called "Russian
Satanist".
Stefan: If
we've chosen the country where we will go to for the political reasons, then,
probably, we would play gigs nowhere.
Correspondent: How
do you think is there any line in art no-one can walk through? For instance,
religious - when you tear the Bible apart on the stage, this can offend many
people. Or political - after all it's dangerous to call people for Nuclear War
in songs? Or not?
Stefan: There
are certain lines in all countries. Whether it's the USA or Britain. There is a
law in each state - that is a line. We attempt to observe the laws. We had
problems with one song - there was the word designating men genitals... We took
it into account, we tried to avoid using of this word.
Correspondent: Does
musician have to be responsible to fans? In the very beginning of your career,
Brian very often said that he took drugs. Have you ever been afraid of that
fans will follow your example?
Stefan: First
of all responsiblity lies on parents, politicians, teachers and society. Of
course in some way we are responsible too, but, after all, it is a parents'
education.
Correspondent: There
has been many new laws in Russia lately.
For example, smoking is prohibited in all cafes and
restaurants. What do you think about smoking?
Stefan: I
gave smoking up two years ago, but I still like being near people who smoke. I
am a bit nostalgic about it. As for a ban about smoking I think a human has to
take a decision neither smoke or not himself, a human shapes his own destiny.
Correspondent: One
more "fresh" law is it's prohibited to use foul language from the
scene, TV screen and radio stations. Are you intending to break this law
tonight singing the song ^^….^^ (honestly
I don't know what song they mean, because there's no name of the song, only
four letters, so that it may be "Trigger happy hands" or "Post
blue")?
Stefan: Actually,
I'm trying to be more cautious about words, because I understand that words
contain information, and what you say - not just waste words. People perceive
you by what you say. I think person express himself through the words, what
they says that they are.
Correspondent:
Have you watched Eurovision this year?
What do you think about people who judge Conchita Wurst?
Stefan: A man
in dress with beard has already become history! On the one hand, we all are
different, on the other hand, we all are the same - one should realise it.
Correspondent: Say some words to your fans, who will
read this interview.
Stefan: Thank
you from Placebo for this warm welcome. Every time we come here, we feel this
warmth and glad to come back.
Correspondent:
The welcome is warm, but the weather....Aren't you cold in Siberia?
Stefan: This
is Siberia! Everybody would be disappointed, if it was not so cold!
Translated into English by Xenia Gerasimova - Design SusannCk - Placebo Anyway #placeboanyway
