"New Wave" is an annual international competition of popular music performers. Held in Jurmala, Latvia, since 2002. The idea of the competition belongs to the composers Igor Krutoy And Raymond Pauls. At the same time Alla Pugacheva is officially the “muse” of the competition and awards her own prize.
Contest "New Wave - 2002" became the first successful experience. Both professionals and the public were convinced that this is exactly the kind of competition that is necessary for all countries that seek to discover new talents.
2002
Contest "New Wave - 2002" became the first successful experience of the revived music competition in Jurmala. Spectators watched the exciting musical competition of 15 contestants, as well as performances by many VIP guests. Among them are Toto Cutugno, Lou Bega, and many others. At the opening of the competition in the Dzintari concert hall, the guests and participants of the competition were welcomed by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
According to the results of the jury's vote, first place in the competition "New Wave - 2002" was taken by a duet of young guys SMASH!! (Russia). Young performer Dima Bilan took fourth place at that “New Wave - 2002”.
Group "Smash!!" After the competition it began to gain momentum sharply. The disc "Freeway" was released, which became popular not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in Southeast Asia. The album achieved platinum status and went through two reissues.
The band's last album was released in December 2004. "Smash!!" called "2nite". Immediately after the release of the album, information appeared that the duo had broken up. The reason for this was leaving the team Sergei Lazarev.
Sergey Lazarev signed a contract with the recording company "Style Records", and began searching and recording material himself. He also returned to his native Pushkin Theater to participate in performances. Since then, Sergei has released several albums, plays in theaters, appears in TV shows, hosts various events, and voices films.
Vlad Topalov also does not sit idle: although his face flashes somewhat less frequently on the screens, the singer is not forgotten. In 2006, Topalov’s first solo album, “Lone Star,” was released. In 2008 - the second “Let the Heart Decide”. The recording of compositions for this album took place in Miami at the Hit Factory Criteria studio and in Moscow at the Fantasy Sound and Vi Sound studios.
Young performer Dima Bilan, who took fourth place, today became popular performer. This was confirmed by his brilliant performance at "Eurovision - 2006" in Athens, where he took an honorable second place. By participating in "Eurovision - 2008", Bilan won the main prize of the competition, which was a real victory not only for his fans, but also for all of Russia!
2003
After the performances of 16 participants, first place in "New wave - 2003" occupied (Russia). In 2003, the prize fund for the winners was increased. In addition to the “Crystal Wave” and commemorative diplomas, the winner received $25,000, the “silver” winner was awarded $20,000, and the “bronze” winner was awarded $15,000. Guests at the competition were Patricia Kaasa, In-Grid, Sarah Connor, Group A -Teens, and many of the best Russian artists.
Success at the competition Stotskaya brought a performance of the sensational hit "Can't take my eyes" and absolutely new song "River Veins". In addition to the stage, Stotskaya is also interested in theater and is an actress at the Moscow Luna Theater. She played the role of Suzanne in the musical television film "Crazy Day, or the Marriage of Figaro." Took part in the qualifying round of Russia for the song contest "Eurovision 2005". And in 2010 she appeared in the film “Love in the City 2”.
2004
16 contestants from 13 countries competed for victory in the competition. The Latvian group took first place, second - Irina Dubtsova(Russia), third - Deema(Germany). In addition, since 2004, a good tradition has emerged: the performer awarded the Audience Award, in addition to a memorable diploma, is presented with a valuable gift. The guests of "New Wave - 2004" were many famous artists and VIP guests, including Thomas Anders, Bonnie Tyler and many Russian stars.
Outside of Latvia, the group became known precisely thanks to its victories at competitions and festivals. became laureates of the international competition in Gorizia (Slovenia), performed brilliantly at the competition "Eurovision - 2006", finishing in 16th place
Irina Dubtsova got on "New wave" after "Star Factories", so Russia already knew and loved the singer. In February 2005, Irina’s debut album was released, which was named “About Him” in honor of its main hit. Next, Dubtsova released the album "Vetra", and also wrote songs for Philip Kirkorov, Timati and other pop stars. Now he is working on his next album.
2005
In 2005, 18 contestants from 13 countries competed for victory. The first place was taken by (Latvia), the second - Tina Karol(Ukraine), third - Polina Gagarina(Russia). Charming Muse of the competition, as well as co-host concert programs Alla Pugacheva was there. The prima donna has established her own Prize: the choice of a contestant worthy of this Prize may not coincide with the opinion of the jury. The $50,000 prize went to Tina Karol (Ukraine). Guests of the competition in 2005 were Chris de Burgh, Al Di Meola and many Russian stars.
Intars Busulis represented Latvia at "Eurovision - 2009" in Moscow, with the song in Russian "Traffic", he took 19th place in the second semi-final.
Tina Karol recorded three studio audio albums, about 50 songs, 10 video clips, held one All-Ukrainian tour and one solo concert at the National Palace of Arts "Ukraine". She is also a TV presenter - she hosted the program “I Want to Be a Star” (2005) and 3 seasons of the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” (2006 and 2007). Tina Karol- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and UNFN employee on assistance to orphanages and other social programs. She was awarded the Orders of St. Stanislav (2007) and the Great Martyr Catherine (2008), and has the titles “Singer of the Year” and “Discovery of the Year” (2005), “The Most beautiful woman Ukraine" (2007 and 2008), Honored Artist of Ukraine (2009). - Played roles in musical theatrical productions“Equator”, “Spiritual Day”, “Assol”, “Horse Egg” (2003-2005). The singer starred in television musical films: "Carnival night. 50 years later" and "Star Holidays" (both 2006), "Stars in the Army" and "Funny Songs" (both 2007), "Odnoklassniki". Tina Karol also wrote an autobiographical children's fairy tale "The Great Adventures of the Web" (2008) , which was published in two languages - Russian and Ukrainian on May 28, 2010, Tina Karol, after the flight. hot air balloon with the Kyiv Aeronautical Society, the title of Princess Pre-Sunrise-Celestial was awarded.
Polina Gagarina in 2007 she released her debut album “Ask the Clouds”, which included such hits as “Lullaby”, “I am yours”, “I will never forgive you”.
In 2008, Polina recorded the song "Who? Why?" together with another winner of the “Star Factory” - Irina Dubtsova. The song gains universal popularity and adds people's love both singers. On March 11, 2010, the second solo album “About Myself” was released. As Polina herself says, the album is autobiographical. It included such hits as the duet with Dubtsova “Who? Why?”, “Love under the Sun”.
2006
The jury evaluated the performances of 16 finalists from 14 countries. Prize Fund competition increased to $100,000. The winner - a black American woman - received $50,000, Gianni Fiorellino from Italy (2nd place) - $30,000, Sofiko from Georgia (3rd place) - $20,000. The People's Choice Award went to the Irish band D-Side. A special Prize from Alla Pugacheva was awarded to the Russians - the group Jukebox. In 2006, the “New Wave” was held not for five days, like all previous years, but for six. One of the evenings within the competition was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of maestro Raymond Pauls. World stars came to the competition - Lara Fabian, Craig David, Al Di Meola, as well as the best Russian stars.
We haven’t heard much about the American and the Italian in Jurmala and the CIS countries after the competition. Russian group Jukebox actively performs at various festivals and later released her debut album.
Georgian Sofiko opened the Eurovision Song Contest for Georgia - it was Sofiko who represented Georgia at "Eurovision-2007", when the country first took part in the competition. Sofiko took an honorable 12th place.
2007
18 finalists representing 14 countries took part in the competition. The prize fund of the competition was increased to $120,000. The winner was from Moldova, second place was shared by Latvian Erglis and Ukrainian duet "Barcelona", third place went to a charming finalist from Poland Marina. She was also awarded a Special Prize from Alla Pugacheva, established in 2005, as well as a Special Prize from Universal.
The winner of the Audience Award, the Kazakh band Rin"Go, was presented with a special memorable gift made by the Smolensk Diamonds company. In addition, talented guys from Kazakhstan were awarded the Trust Prize, presented by Alla Pugacheva. The Greek Kostas Martakis received the Prize from the Jurmala City Duma.
Just like in 2006, the competition was held not for five days, but for six. One of the evenings of the competition was given creative evening Igor Krutoy, in which they took part best performers Russia and Latvia. The competition featured performances by internationally popular artists - Michael Bolton, Stevie Wonder, Dmitry Hvorostovsky, as well as many Russian stars.
Professional singer from Moldova Ukrainian origin, participant of the competitions “New Wave - 2007”, “Eurovision-2006” and others. Studied at music school in piano class. In 2009, she also reached the final of the Moldovan Eurovision selection with the song So alive, but on the eve of the competition she withdrew her application due to family problems.
Erglis- former member of the group Bonaparti.lv, with which he represented Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. The song they performed with was called Questa Notte. The group reached the finals, where they took 16th place with 54 points. In 2008, Erglis tried to take part in Eurovision on his own, performing the song Broken Lullaby, but did not make it through the national selection.
2008
17 finalists from 14 countries took part in the competition. The prize fund of the competition was increased to $140,000. Based on the sum of points for three competition days in 2008, the winner was a duet from Georgia Georgia, who also received a bonus of $70,000. Second place and a prize of $40,000 were awarded to the singer Iris from Russia, third place and $30,000 - to “Elvis Presley,” as the audience unanimously dubbed him, Italian singer Alessandro Ristori. The “Diamond Wave” Audience Award went to the Armenian singer Mger, and the Jurmala City Prize was awarded to the Latvian representative Don, who took 4th place overall.
Among the guests of "New Wave - 2008" were the best artists Russian stage. Robin Gibb, Joe Cocker, Al Jarreau, Montserrat Caballe, Elena Obraztsova came to visit the competition, whose performances were applauded by the audience concert hall"Dzintari". The live broadcast of the competition was seen by millions of viewers different countries on air on the Rossiya channel and on RTR-Planeta.
Two traditional night discos on the beach attracted many Russian pop and rock stars and thousands of spectators. In 2009, as you know, it was decided to abandon beach concerts in favor of discos in the Riga nightclub Godvil.
2009
Out of more than 9,000 applications received by the New Wave 2009 Organizing Committee, 16 artists representing 12 countries were selected for the finals. Unlike previous years, there were no singers from the USA in Jurmala, but performers from China and Indonesia came
As a result, after competitive battles, two participants immediately scored an equal number of points: Indonesian Sandy Sandoro and Ukrainian Jamala. It was necessary to decide the fate of the main prize, and the organizers of “New Wave - 2009” found it possible to support both participants and award two first prizes of 50,000 euros each at once. In second place was the Italian Antonello Carozza with a prize of 30,000 euros, and third place and 20,000 euros in prize money was taken by Mark Yusim from Russia.
2010
It's all just beginning...
To concerts International competition young performers "New Wave", which will be held in Jurmala from July 27 to August 1, expensive tickets have been sold out, including those for 200 lats.
According to Bilesu Serviss, on the opening day of the competition on July 27, all tickets at prices ranging from 60 to 140 lats had already been sold, and only tickets at 30 lats remained.
On the first day "New wave" the contestants will appear before the audience for the first time, and then Russian pop stars will perform on the stage of the Dzintari concert hall.
To the gala concert "New wave", which will take place on August 1, all tickets have been sold at 200, 170, 70 and 50 lats.
As already reported, this year 17 participants from 12 countries will compete for the competition awards.
Who will you be rooting for at the New Wave 2010 competition?
participants
In December 2004, the last album of the group “Smash” called “2nite” was released. Immediately after the release of the album, information appeared that the duo had broken up. The reason for this was the departure of Sergei Lazarev from the team. Leaving Smash, Lazarev promised to fulfill his obligations under the contract with Universal, according to which the band members (represented by Vlad Topalov and Sergei Lazarev) committed to release three albums. By the time the duo broke up, two records had already been released by Sergei and Vlad together. After some time, Sergei refused to fulfill the terms of the contract. Therefore, the third disc had to be recorded by Vlad alone. All the songs included in this album were recorded again by Topalov, after the departure of Sergei Lazarev. It was doubly hard for Vlad to work on this record, since his father left work on “Smash”. Mikhail transferred direct management of the group to the management of the Ego Works company in the summer of 2005.
On November 16, at Crocus City Hall, Sergey Lazarev and Vlad Topalov fulfilled the long-time dream of their fans and admirers - the singers reunited for one evening to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the group “Smash”. Many years later, Vlad and Sergey performed together like in the good old 2000s. Forgetting old grievances, former members The group, or rather the duet, “Smash”, decided to celebrate the anniversary of the group to which they gave their youth and which gave them the coveted “ticket” to big show business as solo performers. The festive reunion took place on the first solo concert Sergei Lazarev in Moscow. The artist presented the “Heartbeat” program to the public, and for all fans of the country’s main Lazerboy, the appearance of Vlad Topalov on stage was a big but pleasant shock. “This year the Smash group turned ten years old. I was overwhelmed by these emotions and therefore I would like to remember the work of this group,” said Sergei Lazarev. Having performed an accapella selection from opera works, the hero of the occasion said that “only today and only for the audience in honor of the group’s anniversary, he will perform together with Vlad Topalov.” Together with Vlad, Sergei performed the “golden” hits of the group “Smash” - the song “Prayer” and the English-language single “Freeway”. Of course, the audience was delighted with the surprise and, despite the fact that many years had passed since the band’s rotation, the audience knew the lyrics by heart. It is worth noting that the creator of the popular duet, Vlad Topalov’s father, producer and businessman Mikhail Topalov came on stage to congratulate Sergei with a bouquet of flowers. After two duet songs, Vlad left the stage, wishing Sergei new creative achievements. “I am incredibly and sincerely proud of you. You have been heading towards this evening and this concert for many years. You are now standing on this stage, performing in front of this audience, and you have truly earned the love of your audience. I’m sure you will achieve a lot,” said Vlad Topalov. Let us remember that the Smash group existed from 2001 to 2005. During this time, the band released such hits as “Belle”, “Freeway”, “Talk To Me”, “Prayer” and “Obsession”. The group has dozens of music awards, as well as two full-length albums - “Freeway” and “2nite”.
Duet (2001-2005)
- 2001-2005: Sergey Lazarev, Vladislav Topalov
Albums
- 2003 - Freeway
- 2003 - Reissue. Photo and design: Studio..others..
- 2004 - 2nite. Photo and design: Studio..others..
Clips
- Should Have Loved You More (Freeway)
- Belle (Freeway)
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- The One To Cry (Freeway)
Singles
- Should Have Loved You More (Freeway)
- Belle (Freeway). Photo and design: Studio..others..
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- Freeway (Freeway)
- Faith (2nite)
- In the teenage series "The Elephant and the Princess" the group main character also called Smash.
- The similarity of the song “Talk to me” performed by Smash to the song “Talk to me” by the Taiwanese group Fahrenheit is noted. However, the song Smash was released in 2003, and Fahrenheit appeared in public only in 2005.
Achievements
- - first place in the international music competition"New Wave" (Latvia)
- - Muz-TV award in the categories “Discovery of the Year” and “Best European Sound”
- - awards "
Smash- Russian pop group that existed in 2000-2006.
Story
In 2000, Sergey Lazarev, together with his friend and longtime colleague from “Fidgets”, Vlad Topalov, became a participant music project"Smash" The idea to create their own duet project came to the guys while they were working in the Fidgets ensemble. The idea turned into concrete execution when Vlad’s mother suggested that the boys record a composition from the musical Notre-Dame de Paris together as a birthday gift for dad.
In April 2002, Smash filmed their first video for the song “Should have loved you more.” And in August of the same year, the group took first place in the “New Wave” competition for young performers in Jurmala.
In March 2003, the first album of the group “Smash” entitled “Freeway” was released, which became popular not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in Southeast Asia. The album achieved platinum status and went through two reissues.
In 2003 and 2004, Smash applied for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. After the 2004 national selection, information leaked to the mass media (including from members of the Tatu group) that it was Smash who were chosen to represent Russia, but ORT at the last moment refuted this statement.
Sergey Lazarev: “They promised that we would go in 2003 - with the hit “Talk To Me”. We canceled several tours, got ready - then it was decided to send Tatu, then they were at the peak of popularity in Europe. Now it's the same story. We changed our concert schedules and planned to “bring” them there new song“Obsession”, but... everything turned out strange. Yulia Savicheva became a complete surprise. Well... well. The one who sent it knew better.”
In December 2004, the last album of the group “Smash” called “2nite” was released. Immediately after the release of the album, information appeared that the duo had broken up. The reason for this was the departure of Sergei Lazarev from the team. Leaving Smash, Lazarev promised to fulfill his obligations under the contract with Universal, according to which the band members (represented by Vlad Topalov and Sergei Lazarev) committed to release three albums. By the time the duo broke up, two records had already been released by Sergei and Vlad together. After some time, Sergei refused to fulfill the terms of the contract. Therefore, the third disc had to be recorded by Vlad alone. All the songs included in this album were recorded again by Topalov, after the departure of Sergei Lazarev. It was doubly hard for Vlad to work on this record, since his father left work on “Smash”. Mikhail transferred direct management of the group to the management of the Ego Works company in the summer of 2005.
On November 16, at Crocus City Hall, Sergey Lazarev and Vlad Topalov fulfilled the long-time dream of their fans and admirers - the singers reunited for one evening to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the group “Smash”.
Many years later, Vlad and Sergey performed together like in the good old 2000s. Forgetting old grievances, the former members of the group, or rather the duet, “Smash”, decided to celebrate the anniversary of the group to which they gave their youth and which gave them the coveted “ticket” to big show business as solo performers.
The festive reunion took place at the first solo concert of Sergei Lazarev in Moscow. The artist presented the “Heartbeat” program to the public, and for all fans of the country’s main Lazerboy, the appearance of Vlad Topalov on stage was a big but pleasant shock.
“This year the Smash group turned ten years old. I was overwhelmed by these emotions and therefore I would like to remember the work of this group,” said Sergei Lazarev.
Having performed an accapella selection from opera works, the hero of the occasion announced that “only today and only for the audience in honor of the group’s anniversary, he will perform together with Vlad Topalov.”
Together with Vlad, Sergey performed the “golden” hits of the group “Smash” - the song “Prayer” and the English-language single “Freeway”. Of course, the audience was delighted with the surprise and, despite the fact that many years had passed since the band’s rotation, the audience knew the lyrics by heart.
It is worth noting that the creator of the popular duet, Vlad Topalov’s father, producer and businessman Mikhail Topalov came on stage to congratulate Sergei with a bouquet of flowers.
After two duet songs, Vlad left the stage, wishing Sergei new creative achievements. “I am incredibly and sincerely proud of you. You have been heading towards this evening and this concert for many years. You are now standing on this stage, performing in front of this audience, and you have truly earned the love of your audience. I’m sure you will achieve a lot,” said Vlad Topalov.
Let us remember that the Smash group existed from 2001 to 2005. During this time, the band released such hits as “Belle”, “Freeway”, “Talk To Me”, “Prayer” and “Obsession”. The group has dozens of music awards, as well as two full-length albums - “Freeway” and “2nite”.
Duet (2001-2005)
- 2001-2005: Sergey Lazarev, Vladislav Topalov
Albums
- 2003 - Freeway. Photo and design: Studio..others..
- 2003 - Reissue. Photo and design: Studio..others..
- 2004 - 2nite. Photo and design: Studio..others..
Clips
- Belle (Freeway)
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- Freeway (Freeway)
- The One To Cry (Freeway)
- Faith (2nite)
Singles
- Should Have Loved You More (Freeway)
- Belle (Freeway). Photo and design: Studio..others..
- Talk To Me (Freeway)
- Freeway (Freeway)
- Faith (2nite)
- In the teen series “The Elephant and the Princess,” the main character’s group is also called Smash.
- The similarity of the song “Talk to me” performed by Smash to the song “Talk to me” by the Taiwanese group Fahrenheit is noted. However, the song Smash was released in 2003, and Fahrenheit appeared in public only in 2005.
Achievements
- 2002 - first place in the international music competition “New Wave” (Latvia)
- 2003 - Muz-TV award in the categories “Discovery of the Year” and “Best European Sound”
- 2003 - Euro-hit award from Europe Plus radio
- 2003 - “Golden Gramophone”, “Stopudovy Hit”, “LOVE RADIO”, “Sound Track” awards
- 2004 - “Golden Gramophone”, “Stopudovy Hit”, “Sound Track” awards
- 2004 - MTV Russia Music Awards in the category “Best Pop Project”
- 2005 - Golden Bee award in the category “Best Group”
It's been almost a year since the duo SMASH!! Sergey Lazarev left. Rumors and rumors about his departure have not subsided to this day. Vlad Topalov admits that the duet "Smash!" broke up due to homosexuality. And he blames Sergei Lazarev for this.
Vlad Topalov gave an interview to the newspaper "AIDS-Info", in which he expressed previously undeclared accusations against his former partner Sergei Lazarev, who is now making a solo career.
- Vlad, how SMASH lives!! without Sergei Lazarev? What has changed?
It’s hard for me, it’s twice as much work. On the other hand, I am given complete creative freedom. It became easier to breathe. The team remained the same. The same ballet of six girls. Also at SMASH!!! the producer has changed. My dad, Mikhail Genrikhovich, retired and started another business related to real estate, and took his share of shares in the SMASH!! sold to the Swedish-American company Ego Works. To be honest, my relationship with my father became better after he left the project.
- And on the personal front, what changes? b>
I'm dating a girl. Her name is Dasha. She's not from show business. I'm happy. And I want to write a lot of new songs more than ever.
- Wait, what about all these photographs where you are hugging Zhanna Friske?
Oh, Zhanna is actually the woman of my dreams. I like her both as a girl and as a person. She is not only beautiful, but also very educated. And age doesn't matter to me. I would marry a woman like Friske.
- Maybe you want a child from Zhanna Friske?
Yes! Why not? It would make a beautiful child.
Vlad, they say you are very rude to your fans... Did the fans say that it even got to the point of assault?
I didn't hit anyone. But I once threw a drunken fan into a snowdrift, who was breaking into my room in the middle of the night, introducing herself as a journalist. I had to cool her ardor a little. I don't think it's rude. This is fair and deserved. You can insult me, but why don’t I insult you?
You have driven hundreds of fans crazy. Has it ever happened that one girl fell in love with you, or you and Sergei fell in love with the same girl?
The first is possible, but the second is definitely not (laughs).
- Are you hinting at Lazarev’s unconventional orientation?
It's not for me to judge him. Fans will figure it out for themselves...
And yet, why did Sergei leave? Because you couldn't work on the same team with a gay person?
And this also had an impact. Rumors spread about Serezha's sexuality. Compromising photographs appeared in newspapers and the Internet. It began to bother me that his personal life at some point began to be projected onto me. I found conversations of this type unpleasant; you are in the same group, which means you are lovers. I have other interests and another love.
-Are you homophobic?
Not really. Here's my dad - yes. It’s just that in my life I’ve had to deal with gays many times, and they turned out to be unreliable people. They can betray you, set you up. And all because a man becomes not a man. Boys should love girls.
- Did you know that, while still working with you, Sergei had plans for a solo career?
I only found out about this a month later, when he left. It came as a shock to me. I came to the Universal Music recording studio to write an album, and good people They told me everything. It turns out that all this time they treated him well there, they told him why you need Vlad, you yourself bright personality. I did not expect such a setup from him. After all, we have been together for so many years.
- Since this situation has developed, would you like to recreate the duet?
You can, of course, find a dark-haired boy who looks like Seryozha, who will open his mouth to the soundtrack. But this will deceive the audience. Purely business project. SMASH!!. And I don't have to do this. People come and go, but music is eternal.
Then why are you still performing under the SMASH!! brand? Most fans associate him as a duet...
I thought about this. It would be possible to perform under Vlad Tolalov, but I don’t like my first and last name. You can, of course, come up with a pseudonym. But SMASH!! is a title I took part in. And I would like to remain under the name SMASH!!.
Meanwhile, "AIDS-INFO" learned that duet member Sergei Lazarev, who talks in all interviews about his alleged new girl, in fact, lives with a certain Mikhail Dvoretsky, who appeared on the sites “escort services” and “sex for money.”
Previously, Mikhail was a dancer in the Todes ballet. And they were introduced by Sergei Lazarev’s former lover, Andrei Fedorov (Fedya), an employee of the Universal company. He encouraged Sergei to leave the group SMASH!!. Now young people live in Dvoretsky’s apartment in Kuzminki. Sergey is studying solo career, and Mikhail does housework: he goes grocery shopping and walks his dog Bizey.
Vlad Topalov's father and the group's producer Mikhail Topalov explained Lazarev's departure simply: allegedly Sergei suffers from "star fever" and demands to pay him more money. But Lazarev has his own point of view regarding what is happening.
“It’s just that soloist Sergei Lazarev no longer works with the group for the banal reason of missing a concert and in full compliance with the Labor Code,” Topalov Sr. explained then. “Organic, harmonious musical group Smash!! of fifteen people is still working full-time, playing highly professional “live” music and has begun rehearsing a new solo program..."
The fact is that Mikhail Topalov considers all instrumentalists and backup singers to be an integral part of the group and generally avoids the term “duet,” writes Moskovsky Komsomolets.
ON THIS TOPIC
The truth about the breakup of Smash!!
Group Smash!! broke up
Soloist of Smash!! robbed
Smash!! looking for brides abroad
Group Smash!! conquers Asia
“Everywhere in the world this is called “session musicians,” objects Sergei Lazarev. “These artists did not even participate in the recording of the album. What kind of Smash!!? Smash!! has always been a duet, and not just a duet of boys, but a duet of specific people. There can’t be Smash!! with Vlad and Petya or with Seryozha and Petya!! - this is Vlad and Sergey."
Sergei categorically disagrees with Topalov’s words about “star sickness”, indiscipline and demands to increase salaries. “It’s not true,” he says. “It wasn’t like that.”
Lazarev believes that “because of the politics of Topalov Sr.” in Smash!! a “suffocating atmosphere, far from creativity and creativity” arose.
“The spiritual and family cohesion that had always distinguished our relationship from the very beginning began to be lost, when Vlad and I recorded Belle for his dad’s birthday,” says Sergei. “Probably this happened after Topalov decided to say goodbye to producer Simon, whom recommended by our publishers, and to take everything into our own hands. Simon kept telling Vlad’s dad: “Misha, don’t kill in them.” creativity, they have something to say." Simon once did Wham! and understood very well which path Smash!! should go. However, in the end a lot of people appeared on stage, and the aura of Smash!! began to be lost. Live sound is very great, but the atmosphere is more important. We argued, conflicted, we were called jerks who didn’t understand anything and didn’t really do anything for Smash!!. At some point I began to feel an openly hostile, alienated attitude towards myself... I didn’t demand. no fees, I didn’t miss anything. It’s just that in Kyiv, Vlad’s father threw a newspaper in my face, where some rumors were published about my supposed solo project and personal life, rudely cursed me in the presence of many people and hit me in the face. We returned to Moscow. I didn’t expect an apology from Topalov, but at least a conversation. There was a week of silence, and it became clear that they most likely didn’t need me. And then I found out that I had already been fired. album, I’ll return to the theater for one or two performances. If necessary, I’ll record and shoot a video for Smash!!. But the group will no longer be a priority for me."
xxx
mari
2006-02-18 08:07:12
sergej ti just klasny paren
Well done!
Lychiano
2006-04-06 23:30:09
Well done Seryozha. If everything happened as you described, then I am completely on your side, since I myself found myself in such a situation. I am a journalist by profession and I would really like to describe the breakup of the group from my point of view. I fully support your decision to work solo and want to wish you great success in this. I'm completely on your side. I would just like to know Vlad’s opinion regarding your departure from the group, otherwise the question arises: is it really that after so many years of working together with you, having such stunning success and friendship, he remained indifferent to this situation or was unable to appreciate the losses of a person like you. After all, the producer of the group is Vlad’s father...
