– Alexander, please tell a little bit about yourself and the Triangle Sun project to those who are not yet familiar with your work.
I am a composer, an author of music for shows and ceremonies, films, and advertising.
I’m the creator and leader of the music project Triangle Sun. Triangle Sun is my soul. The project’s songs are played at large-scale international music festivals, social events, and they are in global rotation around the world.
– How did you come up with the band name? What is behind this original and unusual name?
My childhood passion for Pink Floyd was a huge inspiration. They have always had very beautiful and imaginative covers for their albums. My project’s name stemmed from there.
– Alexander, you are also a sound producer and composer, the author of music for films and various events and shows. I know that among them there are musical works that are known all over the world. Please tell us what projects you have worked on.
I’ve written music for projects such as the Opening of the Olympic Games, EXPO, the Opening of the Historical Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Opening Ceremony of the World Boxing Championship, etc., and music for advertising brands such as Mars, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Samsung, Phillips, and Panasonic.
My track “Buddha” was licensed by a film studio in Los Angeles, which released the film “Ray Meets Helen” and made this track a part of the soundtrack of the film.
– What are your earliest memories of music? How and when did you decide for yourself that music would become your profession?
My dad introduced me to good music. He is a musician and I grew up around different musical instruments and his rehearsals. This inspired me a lot. I never thought about music as a profession – it has always been like oxygen for me, without which at some point I realized that I could not live. I am a psychologist by education, but already in the 3rd year of attending the university I studied music at the same time and began to make the first projects for television. So the music smoothly turned into a business that I continue to do to this day.
– Which of the famous performers were your idols in childhood and youth? Are there artists you are interested in right now?
Perhaps the most memorable band of my childhood for me was Pink Floyd. I have always liked experimental music, combinations of electronics, synthesizers and “live” instruments. Now there are a lot of performers that I like, absolutely in different genres. For example: Breathe, Jungle, Jordan Rakei, Joesef.
I have my own author’s program on the radio station “Relax FM” where I talk about new performers and introduce listeners to new interesting music.
– Do you remember the day you woke up famous?
I remember the day I woke up and was informed that I had won the Café Del Mar Festival and I would tour Spain ending with a performance at the legendary Café Del Mar in Ibiza. After that, Café Del Mar included my track in its compilation, and after it other world compilations, such as Buddha Bar, Sony Music, Universal and many others around the world. World tours and international festivals began. And we became the only Russian project that took part in the Global Gathering festival in London.
– Your music is very stylish, bright and dynamic. How do you define the concept of your music?
I always approach my music as an art that should have no boundaries. I believe that creativity cannot be limited to something, as that will interfere with the birth of something new. Therefore, I always sit down to write from scratch, without thinking about genre, mood and other things. There is only you, the moment and the inspiration that you are trying to convey in sounds.
– What drew you to electronic music?
With the presence of computers and new technologies for music production, I immediately realized that this is what I have always gravitated towards, as this is a huge field for experimentation, something new. I listened to the latest releases of different styles and directions that came from all over the world. I discovered a huge layer of electronic and modern music, which could hardly be found and listened to in Russia at that time.
– You have a great skill of combining words and music in your songs. How do you do thatt? Can you please tell us how the song is created? Is there any story behind the creation of the song in Russian “I know”?
The creation of the song “I know” was an experiment for me, since I had not written songs in Russian before, only in English. I was often asked by friends and listeners if I would ever write a song in Russian. I grew up on English-language music, and for me it is organic and understandable. Therefore, I was in no hurry with the Russian song. But, I decided to try.
– How do you feel about your work? Are you a perfectionist?
Yes, I’m an excessive perfectionist. Therefore, it is just me who composes and records all the instrumentation in my songs. And I force myself to stop, otherwise I will never finish the song, always wanting to make a little “correction”. There is no limit to perfection – this is absolutely about me.
– What is your source of inspiration for new work?
Everything that surrounds me in my life. All events, people, impressions – it all influences me and is undoubtedly reflected in my music.
– Alexander, how did you end up in America, in Austin?
I received an O-1 Visa, which is a visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement). I am a member of the New York Composers’ Guild and I was interested in trying to develop as a professional here. My wife and I started our journey in America in Los Angeles. We lived there for almost 1.5 years. Since my business activity allows me to work remotely, we decided to look for a more comfortable place for us. And we chose Austin.
– How is the process of adaptation to life on the new continent going? How did America surprise you, and perhaps even amused you? Do you think America will inspire you to create new compositions?
Simple enough. The life of an artist is constant tours and flights. I’m used to living in different places, getting to know the culture and people. America is very different from many countries in that it provides opportunities for development and influences the culture of the planet. A funny thing that I noted for myself is that Americans live on a completely different schedule. They get up very early and finish all their work by 5-6 pm. That surprises me, since I simply cannot wake up before 10 a.m. I work at night and for me this is a special creative time. America is incredibly inspiring for creativity, literally 2 months ago I released my new single “Show Me the River”.
– How is your relationship with the rest of Triangle Sun band now? It is not an easy task now to invite Russian artists to the United States. Is it possible to organize a concert in America?
I have very good musicians in my team, great professionals with whom we have been cooperating for a long time and we feel each other’s nuances on stage. Today I am not ready to change the team. We have no problems with touring around the world, the musicians and the technical team are flying out of Moscow, and I’m flying out of America. It is difficult to bring them to America now, but it is possible. Therefore, if we plan concerts in America, then I think everything will work out.
– Who helps you with the organization of concerts, tours?
My wife Ksenia has been managing the band, PR, and organizing concerts for a very long time. Ksyusha has vast experience in organizing concerts and festivals all over the world.
– You have traveled a lot around the world both as a private person and on tour. Please tell us which countries you visited, which country left the most vivid impressions? What places and sights struck you the most?
I love visiting countries and staying there for a while to get a feel for the place. It seems to me that after going through the main attractions in a week and flying away, you absolutely do not recognize the country, the city. I understood this well on tour, when you arrive for 2-3 days and then fly again, because you have 10 more cities ahead, it becomes difficult to remember a thing.
I love visiting warm countries. I really like Barcelona for its creative eccentricity and bustle, I really love the Maldives and Bali for their serenity and silence, Singapore for its strict order and morals, the island of Crete for its diversity and the feeling that you came to visit your grandmother. And, of course, America, which we are now exploring and enjoying the unrealistically beautiful and absolutely diverse nature.
– What values are in the first place for you?
The most important value for me is people. Over time, you realize that everything in the world is changing quite quickly, but your loved ones, relatives, friends always stay and you stay for them.
– What or who is your support in life and helps you develop further, cope with the obstacles that fate presents you?
I have two pillars in life – God and my wife. Ksusha always supports me in all my endeavors and struggles, as well as immeasurably inspires my work.
Music, as part of art, reflects what is happening inside a person and what is happening around him or her. American music has always been influenced by other cultures, which makes it unique and distinguishes it from European music. Having lived in the US for some time now, would you say that this experience has the potential to influence your work?
Undoubtedly. Everything that surrounds us affects us and, of course, me too. I haven’t lived in America long enough to feel these changes, if any, but I think soon it will be easy to spot them in my music.
At different times, various Russian composers and performers have made significant contributions to American music, having a beneficial effect on the cultures of Russia and America. What aspects of Russian music do you personally enjoy the most? What makes her recognizable in the world?
Perhaps it is melody and depth. Russian composers surprisingly feel music through the minor color. I believe that this is due to the historical and cultural characteristics of our country. We have a very rich cultural musical heritage, which undoubtedly influenced and influenced music in general.
– Besides music, do you have any other hobbies and passions? What brings you joy?
I love taking pictures and making videos. At one time I shot a lot for myself and friends, but now, unfortunately, there is very little time for this. As for sports, I like tennis very much.
– What would you like to wish the readers of the Russian Austin magazine?
Dream! Believe in yourself! Go ahead!
– Where can one listen to your music? What is the best platform for this?
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/ru/artist/triangle-sun/265982925
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xqJJcwIGBcOtOw2LHnNMS?si=jhb5iXhIT5u4k1gajrpwkg
Or on any convenient platform. Music is available on 178 music platforms.
Contact information:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triangle_sun/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriangleSun
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TriangleSun/featured
Websites: www.trianglesun.com, http://sashaknyazev.com/