01Profile
A Polina Parygina Photo
Polina Parygina
Illustrator — Moscow
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Polina Parygina. I’m basing in Moscow, but originally I’m from Siberian town — Irkutsk, near fabulous lake Baikal.
What do you do?
I’m a Jedi of design and illustrations.
Describe your style in three words?
Russian Gopnik princess
Which music defines the teenage you?
I guess rock music mostly: The Rolling Stones, Queen, Gorillaz, RHCP. Then, it was Russian rock music and Soviet funk like Аукцыон, Земфира, группа Кино, Жанна Агузарова. Later, I fell in love with jazz and blues music, like Tom Waits. After that I opened for myself for rap music —Wu-Tang Clan and now, I’m an ultimate all-kind-music lover.
A British icon who has inspired you, and why?
Right now it’s Elton John as a great musician. But also, it is David Hockney and Jamie Hewlett as great artists. I love Hockney’s colour and peace, and Hewlett’s characters — they’re truly punk.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Once, I was at Аукцыон gig, accidentally. It felt amazing. They’re professional artists and when you’re listening to them there's so much electricity in that music. It’s fantastic. Also, I love rapper Haski's gigs — it’s the same feelings, but more angry and sharp. I like that aggressive style, maybe cause I’m a peaceful person in life.
What is your favourite independent venue to watch live music?
I don’t go to gigs that much, but I like Pluton and Power House in Moscow. Sometimes, my friends and I go there for new Russian musicians, because it’s really interesting, what happens right now in the Russian music industry. There a lot of new music, which reflect all the news from our country.
Do you have a favourite local record shop?
I guess I like Vinyl Market.
Tell us about the illustration which you drew for Record Store Day?
Before I made this work, I thought about subculture in Russia, discussed this topic with my friends and after all I understood, that the image of a martyr and rank of main culture in Russia right now is rappers, especially Haski. (Rapper Haski was arrested because he climbed onto the roof of the car to speak to fans who could not get to his concert due to the warnings of the prosecutor's office.) Then, I imaged that rappers are the main characters in the Russian field, so this image is of a saviour from crowdedness and boredom. Like Saint George from the coat of arms of Moscow.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
I don’t remember the first song, but all my life, if I hear few words from Alla Pugacheva — 'Звёздное лето', it’s becoming a disaster — I couldn’t think of anything but: "La-la-la-la, la-la-la" from this song.
A song you wish you'd written?
I think it’s 'Верю я' by Жанна Агузарова. This song is a combination of light sadness and hope, but it really cheers me up all the time when I listen to it. I remember, when I was at school, my friend presented me with that album on vinyl and I was listening to it for a month non-stop.
A song from your favourite album?
Right now, my favourite album is 'Любимые песни (воображаемых) людей' by Haski. And the best song from it is 'Ай'. I suppose that song reflects my relationship with my country. When I listen to this song, I’m always thinking about my childhood in a small town and about all this heritage, which I have from this place, from Baikal, from people, from parents. And its deep feelings.
Best song to bring people together?
It's a really difficult question, but I say it 'Алюминиевые огурцы' by Кино. If you were interested and would like to see translate this song, I think you wouldn't understand what the song is about as I do. However, I suppose, this song is about the connection between people, who did something with joy. By the way, Кино is especially a group for Russian people. It’s all about when the old is destroyed, and the new is not yet known, you should be singing songs like Кино's.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
If it’s for after all-night-dancing that song is from my childhood, it’s an old classy song for party ending 'Если хочешь остаться' by Дискотека Авария. It’s a song for singing together, for hugs and laughs. But if you have more lyrics mood with close friends, I usually finish a party with Аукцыон 'Заведующий'. Its song is mostly dark and expressive, but at the same time light and cheerful.
Best love song of all time?
The best song about love is only 'У тебя такие глаза' by Микаэл Таривердиев. It's not a popular song, but when I’m listening to it every time and every time I am feeling like I’m melting with love, with this music, with memories. Also, I believe that has genius accompaniment — it reminds me my first autumn in Moscow when I fell in love with my boyfriend Sergey <3
Is there a song you like that people wouldn't expect?
I am liking Егор Летов 'Про дурочка'. I think, when I go to make a movie, I want to put this song at the end. I feel this song connected with Russian literature tradition and folk tales. When I'm listening to this song I keep in mind that the music is so difficult for people, that nobody wants to hear that, but at the same time, if you don’t mind about form, you find true meaning.
What new musicians/bands are you listening to?
I found this guy who is very important for all of us because we hadn’t so many people on stage, who were going to distribute kindness, blessings and happiness. Who were doing true music from their heart and souls without a lie, so I think Антоха МС — he is that guy. So, I am excited about his music, his vibe. I feel a connection with that philosophy of happiness. My favourite song by Антоха МС is 'Выше'.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Polina Parygina. I’m basing in Moscow, but originally I’m from Siberian town — Irkutsk, near fabulous lake Baikal.
What do you do?
I’m a Jedi of design and illustrations.
Describe your style in three words?
Russian Gopnik princess
Which music defines the teenage you?
I guess rock music mostly: The Rolling Stones, Queen, Gorillaz, RHCP. Then, it was Russian rock music and Soviet funk like Аукцыон, Земфира, группа Кино, Жанна Агузарова. Later, I fell in love with jazz and blues music, like Tom Waits. After that I opened for myself for rap music —Wu-Tang Clan and now, I’m an ultimate all-kind-music lover.
A British icon who has inspired you, and why?
Right now it’s Elton John as a great musician. But also, it is David Hockney and Jamie Hewlett as great artists. I love Hockney’s colour and peace, and Hewlett’s characters — they’re truly punk.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Once, I was at Аукцыон gig, accidentally. It felt amazing. They’re professional artists and when you’re listening to them there's so much electricity in that music. It’s fantastic. Also, I love rapper Haski's gigs — it’s the same feelings, but more angry and sharp. I like that aggressive style, maybe cause I’m a peaceful person in life.
What is your favourite independent venue to watch live music?
I don’t go to gigs that much, but I like Pluton and Power House in Moscow. Sometimes, my friends and I go there for new Russian musicians, because it’s really interesting, what happens right now in the Russian music industry. There a lot of new music, which reflect all the news from our country.
Do you have a favourite local record shop?
I guess I like Vinyl Market.
Tell us about the illustration which you drew for Record Store Day?
Before I made this work, I thought about subculture in Russia, discussed this topic with my friends and after all I understood, that the image of a martyr and rank of main culture in Russia right now is rappers, especially Haski. (Rapper Haski was arrested because he climbed onto the roof of the car to speak to fans who could not get to his concert due to the warnings of the prosecutor's office.) Then, I imaged that rappers are the main characters in the Russian field, so this image is of a saviour from crowdedness and boredom. Like Saint George from the coat of arms of Moscow.
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
I don’t remember the first song, but all my life, if I hear few words from Alla Pugacheva — 'Звёздное лето', it’s becoming a disaster — I couldn’t think of anything but: "La-la-la-la, la-la-la" from this song.
A song you wish you'd written?
I think it’s 'Верю я' by Жанна Агузарова. This song is a combination of light sadness and hope, but it really cheers me up all the time when I listen to it. I remember, when I was at school, my friend presented me with that album on vinyl and I was listening to it for a month non-stop.
A song from your favourite album?
Right now, my favourite album is 'Любимые песни (воображаемых) людей' by Haski. And the best song from it is 'Ай'. I suppose that song reflects my relationship with my country. When I listen to this song, I’m always thinking about my childhood in a small town and about all this heritage, which I have from this place, from Baikal, from people, from parents. And its deep feelings.
Best song to bring people together?
It's a really difficult question, but I say it 'Алюминиевые огурцы' by Кино. If you were interested and would like to see translate this song, I think you wouldn't understand what the song is about as I do. However, I suppose, this song is about the connection between people, who did something with joy. By the way, Кино is especially a group for Russian people. It’s all about when the old is destroyed, and the new is not yet known, you should be singing songs like Кино's.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
If it’s for after all-night-dancing that song is from my childhood, it’s an old classy song for party ending 'Если хочешь остаться' by Дискотека Авария. It’s a song for singing together, for hugs and laughs. But if you have more lyrics mood with close friends, I usually finish a party with Аукцыон 'Заведующий'. Its song is mostly dark and expressive, but at the same time light and cheerful.
Best love song of all time?
The best song about love is only 'У тебя такие глаза' by Микаэл Таривердиев. It's not a popular song, but when I’m listening to it every time and every time I am feeling like I’m melting with love, with this music, with memories. Also, I believe that has genius accompaniment — it reminds me my first autumn in Moscow when I fell in love with my boyfriend Sergey <3
Is there a song you like that people wouldn't expect?
I am liking Егор Летов 'Про дурочка'. I think, when I go to make a movie, I want to put this song at the end. I feel this song connected with Russian literature tradition and folk tales. When I'm listening to this song I keep in mind that the music is so difficult for people, that nobody wants to hear that, but at the same time, if you don’t mind about form, you find true meaning.
What new musicians/bands are you listening to?
I found this guy who is very important for all of us because we hadn’t so many people on stage, who were going to distribute kindness, blessings and happiness. Who were doing true music from their heart and souls without a lie, so I think Антоха МС — he is that guy. So, I am excited about his music, his vibe. I feel a connection with that philosophy of happiness. My favourite song by Антоха МС is 'Выше'.