Track Warm Sun by Irene Nelson (DARK CITY RMX) started on DFM

http://www.dfm.ru/air/musicnovelty/1335957/

Read an interview with Irina Nelson in the popular American magazine “Тomi magazine”!

http://www.tomimagazine.com/

BLAST: Can you describe the songs on your new album?

IRENE NELSON: My songs are about eternal human values such as good and evil, war and peace, true freedom and love. In my first single “Sunrise” I consciously avoided the description of the physiological love. Using metaphysical images, in this case the two birds, I am (singing) about two beloveds who dissolved in their love, turned into holy souls and (were able) to rise from aches and walk on water. My music is simple. In my songs I reflect on (questions such as): “When we want to be ahead of the game by any means necessary or win in fierce fight, don’t we follow the thought path of our own sick ego?” or “Is the winner in war really a winner … or killer?”

BLAST: Do you have a release date set yet? What is it titled?

IN: I think in the near future we will decide whether we will remain independent or to go with one of the major labels. The release date depends on it. In any case it will be in the spring. Regarding the title of my album, we have different opinions. My music producers, Gary Miller and Vlad Tyurin, like Ahead of the Game, but my first American single, “Sunrise,” is very precious to me. This is the song with which I became known in US and entered the American Billboard chart — I would like to name it Sunrise.

BLAST: How long have you been working on the new album?

IN: It has been two years since the (creation of) the first single “Sunrise,” which I recorded in London at George Martin’s legendary AIR Studios. Sound producer Steve Orchard (U2, Coldplay, Peter Gabriel, Dido) and sound producer and hit-maker Vlad Tyurin (Reflex were working on this single. To continue to work on the rest of the songs Vlad and I went to Los Angeles. Here we met another big producer Gary Miller (David Bowie, Simply Red, Kylie Minogue etc.) and have worked with him since. The new album was born in our close collaboration. All music was created by Vlad Tyurin, Antony Tyurin and me, all lyrics written by myself.

BLAST: What was your inspiration for the album? IN: I was inspired by my inner transformations (such as) knowing my own difficult path as a girl from a deep Siberian province who literally escaped home. Experiencing many troubles, I started thinking about the (meaning) of different occurrences; I started to look for answers in the books of philosophers and yogis. Over 10 years, I have accomplished many spiritual practices and yogi techniques on my own. I always wanted to (look) beyond the borders of a physical world.

BLAST: When did you begin singing? How did you enter the music industry?

IN: Upon completing school I wanted a musical education and had to escape from my parents to the capital of Novovsibirsk, Siberia (New Siberia). I didn’t know anyone when I arrived and didn’t have any money, so I would go door to door seeking shelter. I was accepted by one of the music colleges to study piano. I could not afford a piano so I drew a keyboard on paper and would unroll my “piano” and practice daily. After finishing my musical education I was invited to a jazz big band as a vocalist—it was my first experience as a singer. I sang the famous jazz compositions of Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross and Billy Holiday and spent the next few years touring, participating in festivals and wining various awards. Later I met songwriter Vlad Tyurin — a legend among Russian’s musical elite. Vlad has made his mark as one of the most outstanding and distinguished composers and sound producers. He invited me to collaborate with him on a dance project and Reflex was born. I was not only the lead vocalist in the very famous girl band Reflex, I was also a songwriter and generated all the ideas. This project was created by Vlad Tyurin and me, so oftentimes we had to do and manage everything ourselves! (In addition) to composing music and lyrics, we were also the producers during every step, including: sound engineering, making videos, styling and setting photo sessions. It was a huge experience and as a result Reflex became a seven-year-old success story — the most outstanding dance project on the Russian pop stage that won an amazing amount of musical awards. We have received medals and orders “For professionalism and contribution to culture.” As you know, right now I am working here, in the United States.

BLAST: Why did you decide to bring your music to the US?

IN: The United States is a country that is open to everything new. I like to take unknown paths and coming to America was literally like a jump into the unknown, almost like visiting another planet. I have been listening to American music since I was little and my skills were perfected by (having) American role models. America is a land of outstanding musicians. I have always had a sincere dream to sing a duet with American artists.

BLAST: Who would you like to work with in the future?

IN: You might think that I am crazy, but I dream of singing a duet with U2’s Bono.

BLAST: Do you hope to live in Los Angeles permanently or do you have plans to return to Russia.

IN: Over the past two years I have spent in LA, I have absolutely fallen in love with this city. I have a lot of friends here and even my own recording studio in Malibu where Gary Miller, a platinum songwriter/record producer, is my partner. LA became my second home. But when I start feeling kind of homesick, I immediately go back (to Russia).

BLAST: Do have any upcoming performances?

IN: At the end of the last year I was enthusiastically putting together a band and started rehearsals. But suddenly my father got very ill. For almost six months we were fighting his fatal disease, but unsuccessfully. For a long time I could not think about anything else. But now that my album is finished I will gather a new band, and by autumn we will be all ready to move forward.

BLAST: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

IN: I want my music to be a reason for communication between me and American people. We have a lot of things to discuss! As I said before, (I’m) a girl from Siberia who (took) a long path to end up in America to see everything with her own eyes and prove to herself that we are all the same and that we are all seeking the same thing — Love!

Russian beauty queen, Irene Nelson has collaborated with some of the hottest artists in North America. Her voice has taken her across continents touching each and every one of her fans. Her single Sunrise was recorded at George Martin’s legendary Air Studios in London and produced by Steve Orchard (U2, ColdPlay, Peter Gabriel, Dido). This year Irene is going to be doing something different for the holidays “having lived in LA for two years I realize that I spent most of my time working in studio and other daily routine duties. I have not fully enjoyed being in this amazing place yet; this is why I will be trying to catch up during the upcoming holidays. I want to visit the San Diego Zoo, go to Santa Barbara, maybe admire stars in the observatory or go to the LACMA museum. And maybe enjoy the club atmosphere.” As she looks back to her previous holiday memories, Nelson remembers her friends. “[My friends] knew I was missing a pet when I came to LA. Last Christmas they gave me a chinchilla in the box that had a red stripe tied in a bow, they were enigmatically smiling before handing me the gift and waited for my reaction. But the “surprise” was discovered long before that – it gnawed a hole through the box and I saw a furry muzzle! I consider it a space creature. It doesn’t smell bad at all and her favorite snack is paper. When I’m sad she is always making something funny and makes me happy!” Irene isn’t used to LA Christmases and hopes for some snow! “I was born in Siberia so it’s hard for me to imagine Christmas without snow, which is why I’m happy to have found a wonderful place called Big Bear, so during the holidays I would be able to ride a sled or a snowboard. Last Christmas, my friends and I were at Big Bear and my friend Jane asked me to teach her how to cook Russian pancakes. They must be very thin, not bigger than two millimeters, and the size of a big frying pan, it was very funny watching her cooking them. The first pancake wasn’t good; it had so many holes in it! The second one got ripped when she flipped it over, the third one got stuck and it was hard to get it off the frying pan. Thanks to her patience she finally made a perfect one. She decided to dry it and make an installation, arranging it into a frame behind the glass. Now its there hanging on her wall. This year, “I want to try roller coaster rides, which is a frightening thing to think of at the moment. But seriously I wish the peaceful initiatives presented last year by our presidents to be fulfilled and accomplished. These were remarkable steps! Four years ago I wrote a beautiful slow ballad called “When Apples Fall To The Sky”, its seems like I have foreseen this situation. The feeling of the song is consonant to John Lennon’s “Imagine”. Last years resolution was more than just a roller coaster ride! “I came to America to record my album in English but much more happened than I expected. My first single “Sunrise” entered Billboard charts and the video for this track started to rotate on America’s popular music channels. Thanks to this, I have acquired fans throughout 25 countries.” Hopefully in the New Year Irene will be waiting for a release of her album with impatience. “I am planning to shoot the music videos for all the new songs and I have more interesting plans regarding potential movies, but for now I will keep them as a secret. And you might think that I’m crazy, but my dream would be to sing a duet with U2′s Bono.” Dreams do come true!

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORK DAY:

Now is a very interesting period of my life. Im finishing working on my new album and I have to work a lot. Because Im a songwriter and a co-producer, I’m always at a studio. There were days when we worked for fourteen hours in a 24-hour period. This is why I was doing physical exercises right on the floor. Thank God our studio is located in Malibu and to refresh ourselves we went out to the beach. I absolutely cannot work without my notes that I keep in my planner. While listening to the tracks over and over again, I clearly imagine images from my future videos. Sometimes I picture myself in fantastic worlds. It’s a very interesting and broad topic for a stylist.

IF YOU COULD WORK ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I have already worked everywhere. I started in Dubai, where the luxury and eastern traditions co-exist. This is where I created the idea of the project and the first songs. The first single “Sunrise” was then recorded in London on the George Martin’s legendary “Air” Studio (U2, The Beatles, Dido…). We shot the video in Iceland, mystic place where we saw the sleeping volcanoes and heard many tales about trolls. We are now living and working in Los Angeles, the place where my idols live, and where I can also meet them. If you want to know about where I would like to work, it would be a place with wonderful nature and warm climate. I love Los Angeles very much, but I miss warm water in the ocean and if I had the power to take Los Angeles to Dubai or Miami with me this would be perfect!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK SPACE:

It might be nice for some people to work behind a desk, but it’s very boring to me. Before starting working in studio, I turn down the lights, put candles and an aroma lamp for relaxation. I have a big collection of essential oils and I used different ones every day, based on my mood and state of mind. Not so long ago, when people around me got sick and were sneezing and coughing, I was using tea tree and bergamot oils which helped to avoid getting sick.

WHAT IS ONE “WORK ITEM” YOU CAN NOT WORK WITHOUT?

About ten years ago I have read that people will be eventually hypnotized by computers, screens and internet. Most of the life span will be spent in front of the computers. I was deeply impressed by this. This is exactly what Im seeing now. But despite the fact that I own a computer, an iPhone and an iPad, I actually spend most of my time with a simple organizer and a book. This is why I absolutely agree with my favorite writer Ray Bradbury, who does not drive a car, does not use a phone or a computer, but is the greatest fantastic and visionary writer of the 20th century. I like the smell of paper and how the pencil scratches paper when I write. Not so long ago my friend’s hard drive got broken. What will happen if the power suddenly shuts down…?

IF YOU COULD SWITCH CAREERS FOR A DAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I would try to become a writer or at least I would open my own book store. The look of the shelves stuffed with books almost hypnotizes me.

YOU HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON, CAN YOU GIVE US ONE TIP ON HOW YOU KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER?

I have always had to work hard. Besides writing lyrics, music, and performing on stage, oftentimes I had to be the director of my own videos, the stylist, the sound producer and the manager! So I can do a bunch of different things, but sometimes I feel exhausted. I realize today that I have to save my energy and focus on the most important and loved things. The rest will get solved by itself.

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS FANS DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

(First) At home I have a pet chinchilla that I consider as a space creature. She doesn’t smell bad at all and her favorite snack is paper. When Im sad she always manages to do something funny that makes me happy.

(Second) My next single “Escape” has been recorded not only in English, but also in Spanish.

(Third) I have been visiting Danny DeVito’s huge but very cosy house. I remember several fireplaces and a bunch of gambling machines installed right in the living room.

About Irene

Just as the mythic Phoenix rising out of ashes symbolizes the rebirth of a soul, it is not a coincidental symbolic theme that signifies the state in which Irene Nelson currently finds herself. This exotic Siberian songbird has risen from a successful career as lead vocal of Reflex band, Russia’s biggest chart and sales topping act, to begin life as a solo artist in a new land. Already receiving rave reviews from early believers, Nelson’s debut single and video, “Sunrise” (NTMG/Bungalo/Universal) is winning hearts stateside via thousands of hits on her myspace.com and You Tube sites.

Love,
Irene Nelson.

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Best wishes,
NTMG Team.

NTMG Team