Russian artist Dobin used to be a doctor, but has dropped all of that to pursue a life of music and living the dream.
We chat to him here in an exclusive interview about why he made the career move, his love of music and much more.
When did you realise music was a passion of yours?
In early childhood, music always was my biggest drive. There are few essential moments I remember.
First: when I was around 5, someone brought a CD player to our house and a pair of Sony hifi headphones. (a very rare thing in those days).
I still clearly remember the feeling when I put it on and pressed play. It was absolutely magnificent- like seeing colours that never existed before. I fell into the sound, I was shocked with its effect.
Second was when I saw U2’s music video for 'Numb'. The whole video is constructed around The Edge, who's sitting in front of camera, the music was so unusual, I never heard anything like that before - so quiet and powerful, calm and magnetic, chilled and industrial. And in moments where music meet scenes of girls licking Edge's face, their feet touching it, teaspoons flying right into his mouth - I felt that magic effect.
You studied and become a doctor of Onco Gynecology before changing careers, what was it that made you make the switch?
I always was more involved in music than in science. This decision hasn't come immediately. I left medicine just after I entered PhDs course (my work was about special cancer markers).
More I dug in, more I understood that it's not what I am about. My dad (who is a professor of medicine, one of the essential physiatrists) he was a bit upset with my choice - he dreamed about a family dynasty and stuff like that, but anyway he supported my decision.
I'm very happy with my medical education - it's a school of life, a fundamental course of human nature, I've heard a lot of people's stories, I know different things about life, I have a big background to explore, a lot of impressions from that time, I still use it as inspiration.
What is it about music that you love?
I'm a huge music fan, and I love all different types of music. From classic 60's and Chess Records blues tunes (King Albert, Willie Dixon, Slim Harpo), straight to old-school hip-hop and techno vibes like Ost Gut Ton Berlin dried stuff and 6blocc dark dubstep.
People often ask me about my influences, there are few of them here:
Chess Records, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Oasis, Verve, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Clash, RATM, Lou Reed, Beatles, crooners, NIN, Massive Attack, Nirvana, Joy Division, Korn , Slipknot, Pet Shop Boys, East 17, Culture club, Eurodance, Hot Chip , Marc Almond.
Techno: Lee Burridge, Dave Clark, OstGutTon Records, Shonky, Shaun King, Josh Wink, James Holden, Plastikman, Lostep, Hardfloor, Shaun King, shipyard, Leftfield and tons of other producers.
Disco: Earth, Wind and Fire, Cerrone, Chic, Daft Punk, Cinema: Burt Bucharar, Angelo Badalamenti, How To Destroy Angels.
Under influence I understand something that you have noticed and transformed. Sometimes I can't say I'm a big fan of something, but I use some moments from it in my music. It's like you don't need to marry a woman, sometimes one short late night date can give you a lot of feelings and impressions forever.
How best would you describe yourself as an artist?
I'm not so complicated as you can imagine, but not so simple as it seems to be. I'm a dreamer, collector, explorer who's trying to make art that would live longer than my and your bodies.
What are some of your favourite things about being a musician and performer?
To write a song is a best way to 'photograph' a moment in your life. Time will pass, and you will forget the definite feeling you have felt that day but songs will never let your forget. Sometimes I write 2, 3, 4 songs in a day, and can't stop - cause I understand I will never be the same, this moment is the one, and after just tomorrow or few days there will be another me. Performing is a way to be absolutely yourself, to be primal as you should and to have fun!
Can you tell us a little bit about the creative process behind your new album 'Day of Surrender'?
It was composed in 2-3 months, but some songs are from my back box, such as 'Price For Illusion' - it was written in 2010 - and in few weeks just after I finished it, the 'Occupy Wall-Street' movement made its strike.
Everything was Recorded in my home studio with a help of my friend Mr. Cruccini, a very talented guitar player, who performed guitar parts - all other stuff I made by myself with everything that was around me those days.
'Day Of Surrender' was written in 40 minutes, the last vocal part was absolute improvisation over mic, like someone cut the chain of a flow of consciousness.
'Spurred' was also very fast, in the beginning it was a slow "leadbell-ish" acoustic ballad, transformed into open-air anthem, based on half electronic/half live rhythm-section. Some songs took their final shape immediately, but some, such as 'Blinded By The Light survived after almost 40 mixes.
'Sustain With Me' sometimes is accepted as something about drug taking together, because of its chorus, but it was written under the impression of my girlfriend's story about her trip to Coney Island in New York. But I must confess everything there sounds very ambiguous.
What are some of your favourite tracks on the record?
Hm... Who do you love more - daddy or mommy? I like "'DoS' and 'Spurred' - very honest records. But of course I love them all.
How was the experience of working with Simon Gogerly who mixed the tracks?
It was an absolutely great experience. Simon Gogerly is a Grammy winning producer and a man who doesn't put any pressure on the artist, but at the same time he could explain to you any moment when you ain't right and you will agree with his arguments.
We worked on mixes in his private studio "Hub 2" in Essex, the studio he worked with Underworld, Paloma Faith, No Doubt and a lot of other famous dudes.
It's located in beautiful, calm and truly English countryside. Every morning on my way to the studio I passed all these old vicarages, local butchers shops and peaceful grandmas.
Work was very productive and intensive. It's always very difficult to keep powerful feeling of rough mixes in final variants. We tried to find this balance, and I’m deeply sure we've found it!
As Noel Gallagher was ( during their first sessions on 'Definitely Maybe') I was worried about 'too clean a sound'.
As Simon laughed I was marching over the studio - "Everything sounds very clear! Throw a piece of mud inside! Let's make this sitar drone louder, this hat more punchy etc., I want to 'kill' that dude in headphones!"
And as an accomplished English gentleman Simon always was very calm - 'Vitaly if we will overdose it, it can be painful for the listener - and I suppose it's not the effect you want to gain?"
Simon brought a feeling of continuity to the final mixes, he touched the right areas, he is am absolute professional, he taught me a lot of things.
If you could work with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
With big pleasure I'd work with David Lynch, I'm a fan of his films, his cinematographic language.
What do you think of modern-day artists in the mainstream industry?
Endless stream of retro-addicted uninteresting dudes and chicks, not clean, but sterile. Artificially composed, boring details of the music industry. All this 'organic folk, 'indie pop' become tags of chewing gum without any taste. I have no idea why everyone likes to dig in granddad’s box, instead of looking right into the future, though in their shoes.
Some pop and hip-hop artists are very fresh musically and personally attractive - like Azealia Banks, but she also has problems with mainstream business.
What was the last song you heard that really made you listen and take notice?
It was John Lennon's "Woman Is The Ni**er Of The World' - amazing song, with very simple message, provocative, deep, catchy and incredibly graceful.
John was a master of dissonance , here like in "A Day Of Life" - his voice tells you common things in a very calm way in the beginning, but when they are swimming in the air on waves of his music it gives birth to a whole chain of thoughts and unexplainable feelings inside you. Take a listen you will understand.
From new records it was Slaves' 'White Knuckle Ride' - just a genius number! I count Slaves' as one of the best new bands in the world.
Do you have a definitive aim for your career?
I want it all, I want it now haha! I want to bring joy, wanna make my own style celebrated, be heard in deep meaning of this expression, want my 'footprint' to be that one, that may change our course a bit.
What should we expect from you in coming months aside from the album release?
We are planning a tour to present DoS in its beautiful power, hope all will be alright and we start it in the beginning of fall. We also have two new videos in the works.
Dobin's new album 'Day Of Surrender' impacts on August 11.