By Azad Karimi
I believe that we should expect more electronic and ethnic elements in all genres of music. I think we will also experience some kind of reinvention of rock music.
Interview
Ukrainian Musican Roman Chuprina
By Azad Karimi
What is committed art? Who is a committed artist?
I do not think there is an artist without commitment. After all, when you decide to do something and strive for it, you are committed to it.
But if it is related to social currents, I must say that there are a number of sociological concepts in the anthropological dictionary, which are called collective ethics, and the degree to which individuals in that society adhere to those moral concepts, which are in fact social contracts, is commitment. An artist is as committed to his community as an engineer, doctor, salesman, and baker. But in the case of force majeure, a type of emotional reaction and abstract human perception appears in the works and performance of the artist.
This is a very personal emotional reaction, but given that artists belong to the elite strata of society, people are more sensitive to artists' reactions because, in the collective subconscious of a country, they consider such people to be influential that change the situation.
Ordinary people are usually more inclined to be stable and calm and find it difficult to accept social change quickly because people are often cautious and do not want to lose easily what they have gained with difficulty.
But in sensitive and complex situations such as social revolutions or wars and floods and major disasters such as earthquakes and epidemics, people who wanted stability are suddenly in favor of the change to return to original stability. That is why artists and cultural figures, who are often the rebellious strata of society, are noticed and people expect them to define their position so that society can achieve the desired change faster.
This artistic reaction is interpreted as committed art in those particular social contexts. Of course, this is my interpretation of committed art.
The Ukraine war has affected the lives of all of us in the world. Because it is an international crisis that has affected all aspects of the lives of the people of the world. During these fourteen days, many Ukrainian people who were alive are now buried in the ground. They were killed by the bombing of Russian planes and only 4,000 Russian soldiers were killed in those two weeks. Why?
Because a narcissistic person does not care about the lives of his compatriots or the lives of his neighbors ... You can not be silent! you can? It is hard to believe that a person with common sense should not ask himself why one person should decide instead of billions and think that he is God?
People who consider Nimrod a myth and a fantasy must have understood that Nimrod is none other than Vladimir Putin ... someone who kills others and considers himself the owner of the spirit and will of others.
Therefore, one must either rise up against him or go to the Ukrainian massacre to be slaughtered like the Syrian mercenaries who murderers in order to support him ...
Roman and I and billions of other people in the world have the same idea, and that is to fight Vladimir Putin until destroy him!
This is our commitment in this period ... and the commitment of others is to provide weapons, bread and food, and clothing and energy and medicine for all those who are on this front. The free and united world has no obligation to provide food, water, medicine, and energy to Putin's front ... and we love the freedom-loving people of Russia, but we hate Putin's supporters, whether Russian or non-Russian, and we will not allow them to Subjugate and surrender us. This is today's commitment.
I wish my dear friend Roman success and progress.
Thank you!
Østland- Norway
.........................................................................
1- Please present yourself: (Name, education, Civil status and...)
.My name is Roman Chuprina. I’m 31 years old. I have two degrees, I’m master in Economy of Enterprise and English. As for music, I have a formal education in classical piano and had training in classical guitar, electric guitar, and vocal.
2-What is your artistic specialize?
.I am a songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, bandleader, and band manager.
3- When and how did you become interested in this field of art?
.As far as I remember myself. I had written pieces of music at the age of six.
4- Who was your motivator?
.From an early age, I was inspired by all music I had access to, including classical, Ukrainian, rock, metal, pop, and hip-hop.
5- What was your parent’s reaction?
.They were and are always supportive of my musical efforts.
6- When started you such as a professional musician?
.I started my musical training at the age of 5. I started my first professional band at the age of 25.
7- I saw in your profile that you are a songwriter, guitarist, and Tech writer. Please explain these activities to the readers of the interview!
.Being a singer-songwriter and guitarist, are my primary music activities. I am also a bandleader at Vesta (https://www.facebook.com/vestametalband), band manager at TIME GIRLS BAND (https://www.facebook.com/timegirlsband), and also release my original music.
Tech writer is my main not-music-related job, I write articles for IT companies on software development, outsourcing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
8- Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as a musician?
.Yes, all of my music activities make me feel alive. I love everything from playing guitar to doing shows and tours. I am always looking forward to doing some music.
9- What is music culture? What is music logic?
.Those are some complicated questions. It’s hard for me to explain music culture even for my country, because there are always many elements to it, including trends, historical elements, etc.
As for music logic, for me, it is a combination of feeling, experience, and technical skills. When I create music, at first it is an inspiration and intuitive process, and after that, I focus on music theory to complete my idea.
10- Why does some melody become immortal?
.I think it is a combination of the right moment, feel of the current trends, talent, execution, and performance and production level.
11- How do you see Music, art, and culture from your perspective? I mean your prediction for the future of music!
.I believe that we should expect more electronic and ethnic elements in all genres of music. I think we will also experience some kind of reinvention of rock music.
12- Can you become one part of the cultural movement for motivation in youth or new generation in your country and so then?
.I always try to be a part of the inspiration for youth. I have already been a part of the first-ever Peace Corps summer music camp in Ukraine in 2019!
13- How can you help our world become a better place to live?
.I hope I can make the world a better place through music. Whether it is original tracks, covers, or music lessons.
14-Given that your country is currently under attack by the aggressor soldiers of the Russian dictator, Putin, please comment on this. Dear Roman! ... Basically, during these few days, do you feel that there has been a change in your outlook on life, art, and the future?
.It is more than a week since the war started. Right now, we have an air attack alarm, everybody is sitting in the underground hideouts. A few days ago, I saw a Russian rocket destroyed through the window sitting at my home. I am in relatively safe region in a central Ukraine, but my friend in Kharkiv lost the entire part of the city, where he grew after Russian air attacks.
I turned my underground base into a hideout from air attacks, I never expected to do this. Everything seems surreal because nobody here expected war with Russia. Yesterday was the first day, that I had an opportunity to sleep well. I made this video with the song from my band, to raise awareness about the war:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srbHbKRXjFo
It is on the 4th of March. We already lost 2000+ of our citizens, most of them are civilians. Russians lost 10,000+ intruders. Our army and civilians do an amazing job to protect us. The enemy expected to capture our country in a few days. Now the enemy is panicking, and chaotically bombing civilian buildings, churches, and hospitals.
The problem is that USA and NATO don’t want to help us with their army, to prevent World War 3. The Russian citizens, on the other hand, are the victims of propaganda, and they don’t even aware that people are dying here.
These events changed my outlook on life because I see clearly that it can end at any moment. It changed my outlook on art because I realized that the future and the existence of my nation are more important for me right now, and culture without a nation is not valuable.
15- Have you more words to say or suggest for our readers?
.Please, spread the information about the war here and help us to protect our country from invading terrorist attacks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrysqjs0L28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgNqxKG6MJU
My YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/RChuprina91/videos
My band VESTA:
https://www.facebook.com/vestametalband
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJd42Aib2B8
The band that I manage TIME GIRLS BAND
https://www.facebook.com/timegirlsband
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iHoGHQIdls
