We discovered the Siberian artist Lo.Krain through his original discography, a sonic experience that ventures off the beaten path. Blending soft rock and mysterious pop, his melodies carry a melancholic hue that lets us drift along to the rhythm of his comforting and sincere voice.
Lo.Krain seamlessly combines English and Russian with poetic inventiveness, offering arrangements that honor music made with passion and real instruments. His unique soundscape is both captivating and emotionally resonant, inviting listeners into a world where melancholy meets mystery.
In our interview with Lo.Krain, he shared insights into his creative process and the inspirations behind his music.
Meet Yura Vatolin, the visionary behind the indie project Lo.Krain, as we dive into an exclusive interview with him.
Yura, first tell us a little about yourself and your project:
Hi everyone! I’m a musician from Siberia. I’ve always lived in Novosibirsk, but as a musician I’ve been influenced by various genres of world music. I started writing music in English to connect with people worldwide, which led to the creation of my indie band, Lo.Krain. We started in a garage, crafting our first demos. Now I create music on my own, but still aim to capture the indie band spirit. I often write songs as if from the perspective of people I know. The theme of community and unity is close to me.
You are Russian. How do you feel about your music getting noticed in Western countries? Recently, your track “Город-призрак” won a competition on Netherlands radio, right?
Yes. I was surprised to find out my songs were being voted for on the radio in the Netherlands. Winning first place was unexpected and receiving congratulations from them was really nice. I started composing songs in Russian, thinking they would resonate with the audience in Russia, but it’s interesting to see my music well-received in other countries too. Regardless of language, I put my heart and soul into all my songs. “Город-призрак” took about a year to perfect, especially the guitar parts.
Tell us about your favorite performance in your musical career?
I have two. The first one was in Novosibirsk’s club “Бродячая собака”. Surprisingly, during one of our performances there, it turned out that the sound engineer liked the music of Lo.Krain. We had excellent teamwork with him. The performance was outstanding. We felt like at home on stage, and the audience felt it, generously returning the positive emotions. The second favorite is when I got to Paris, to the club “Pop In”, and performed there solo, preparing a set with samples, guitar, and vocals. I liked how a local poster about a Siberian musician attracted people’s attention. It was amazing to see random passersby filling the club and giving me unforgettable emotions. I’m grateful to them!
What does your creative process look like?
When I’m alone with my guitar, a mysterious and creative process unfolds. It’s like discovering a room filled with unknown and unreleased songs. The music seems to flow effortlessly, with lyrics and melodies coming to me in the moment. I record everything on a dictaphone and select the most interesting pieces. I would say that Lo.Krain is a reflection of my creative taste.
Lastly, you are not just a musician, are you? We saw your drawings, they are pretty cool!
Thank you! I’ve always had a passion for creativity. At some point, it just seemed to me that music emotionally resonated with me the most, so I started creating it. But I also love drawing, sometimes I write short stories, sculpt with papermash, or make videos. Maybe the medium doesn’t matter as much as the creative process itself. Recently, I started designing covers for my singles, I’m really enjoying it!
