First up is Perm-based mod-revivalists THE WHITE TRAINERS COMMUNITY (January 16, Ikra, 20:00), who are blowing up locally so quickly, that we at the exile felt we should do an interview and see what really makes these nice young men tick (see interview, opposite). I mean, besides listening to old WHO, JAM and KINKS records.
Foojitsu: would you believe they no longer suck?
I thought the local aggressive indie combo FOOJITSU (January 18, Aktovy Zal, 20:00) sucked the first time I saw them a year and a half ago. They've gotten significantly better since, and now it's not unusual to hear their name dropped in the voices usually reserved for such stalwarts as SILENCE KIT or BANANA PRINCESS. Omsk-based indie rappers RTUT open.
Given that the foreigners aren't really coming to town yet, it may be worth paying a little attention to locals still. The first album release party of the year is thrown by REKEVIN (January 24, 16 Tons, 21:00), a trip-hop band thing fronted by a chick. Frankly, I find this shit boring, but in case you don't, you know what to do.
One of the up-and-coming bands on the Russian indie music scene is Kolomna post-rockers DUSTVEIL (January 25, Aktovy Zal, 20:00). Although I find their music to be rather hit-or-miss, they have a promising sound and seem open to experimentation, so we could someday see something big from them. Local post-rockers VERTICALS open.
I know I just plugged SILENCE KIT (January 26, Aktovy Zal, 20:00) in the last issue, but until they literally start to play every weekend, I'm going to recommend you go see them, buy their CD, drink vodka with them, etc.
Kimmo Pohjonen: A folky Finn who plays with accordions.
Apparently the end of January is when foreign musicians stop being afraid to hit Moscow's frozen streets, as Finland's KIMMO POHJONEN (January 27, Ikra, 21:00) opens the foreigner season. Pohjonen is one of the most in-demand performers in Finland, where his exceptional ability on the accordion is apparently highly appreciated. That said, he does tend to be a little bit more experimental than that guy on the metro, which is why he was named Folk Musician of the Year in Finland in 1997, 97 and 98. At that point, they realized Finland didn't have any more folk musicians, and just let the awards die out.
Finally, the second foreigners to come to town this year hit it the same day as Kimmo, which is only fitting, as they're from the same Scandinavian peninsula: Sweden's IN FLAMES (January 27, B1 Maximum, 21:00). Part of the whole Scandinavian metal thing, In Flames have spent the last 15 years being better than most other bands, in at least one way that I can note: I can stand to listen to them.
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