Multi-instrumentalist, music author, and educator Alina Yudaeva is a powerful creative talent. It’s also worth noting that she records and produces everything herself!

Yudaeva’s music has been compared with composers and performers such as Leonid Desyatnikov, Eduard Artemyev, Sergey Kuryokhin, Aleksey Aygi, and Hawkwind. Influenced by psychedelic rock of the 60s and 70s, her music can be compared to mainstream acts like Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Velvet Underground, Black Sabbath and Yes.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Alina about her newest release (City of Lights), challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I am from Moscow, Russia.

I create instrumental music and use different styles. In general, it can be called psychedelic rock or progressive rock. And recently I have discovered that there is trip rock. I liked it and I will use this definition. Also, many people call my music “theatrical” and “cinematic.” It’s nice for me.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

I love my guitar and absolutely do not know how to write lyrics. And I sing very badly! Therefore, it’s easier for me to practice instrumental music. Moreover, there are great opportunities for experimenting with sound.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

I’ll begin from afar.

My friends were on a travel and sent me photos. I liked some of them, and I decided to express them with musical colours. And, judging by some reviews, I even succeeded.

I also wanted to combine the techniques specific for a classical guitar with a pop or rock arrangement for a long time. I tried to do it in the track “City Lights”. I know that I am not the first to do this, but it is interesting to me.

And the track “Steps” is a simple bass pattern and guitar strumming. Attempt to express mood. 

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

Modern technologies have both pros and cons. Of course, it’s good that now it becomes much easier and faster to create music than before. We know a number of cases when tracks recorded in a bedroom in just a few hours were a huge success. But thanks to that, the market is filled with not very good music. And this pushes listeners away from the search for new products.

Therefore, artist needs to be an interesting person, show imagination, look for new ways. There is barely enough time for everything.

But anyway, now it’s easier than, for example, 10 years ago. You can find your audience, bypassing major labels, be freer musically.

What was the last song you listened to?

I have recently listened to the album “Up All Night” by John Scofield Band. Therefore, the last song I listened to is called “Every Night Is Ladies Night”.

I also listened to your instrumental / cinematic playlist. Very good tracks are there.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I grew up in the age of vinyl, so I love vinyl. But the most convenient combination of mobility and quality is WAV files.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

Spotify is only going to come to Russia. Therefore, we use the Russian Yandex Music platform. Spotify and Yandex are similar in functionality and more convenient than others for me.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

On my website (https://alina-yudaeva.ru) you can listen to all my albums. Also, there you can find all the necessary information: news, photos, videos, etc. Of course, there are a lot of interesting things in my pages in social networks, in particular instagram (@yudaevamusic). I try to share stories about creating songs, excerpts from future compositions and all links to a new releases.

Anything else before we sign off?

I want to wish development to your blog. And to our readers I’d like to wish, first of all, health. And listen to a new music to your liking. Sometimes there are pearls.

With love from Russia.