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Zemfira
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December 11, 12, 21:00
Zemfira first took interest interest in music at the age of 4. Her older brother Ramil introduced her to rock music, which became a real passion – she listened to Black Sabbath, Nazareth and Queen, learning to play the guitar. After school she took the entrance exams for the Ufa College of Fine Arts on a whim, and was admitted into the second year, studying vocal performance. During college, she performed jazz and rock-n-roll standards at various local bars and restaurants accompanied by her friend and saxophone player, Vlad Kolchin. She graduated with honours, and in 1996 took a job as a sound engineer at the Ufa subsidiary of the radio station "Europe Plus". In early 1998 Zemfira invited Rinat Akhmadiyev, Sergei Sozinov, Sergei Mirolyubov, and Vadim Solovyov to join Zemfira project. Their first professional gig took place on June 19, 1998 as part of the festival celebrating the anniversary of the local radio station “Silver Rain Ufa.” Shortly afterwards Zemfira sent out promo tapes to Moscow producers, one of whom (Ilya Lagutenko, leader of Mumiy Troll) was smitten with the material, and invited the band for some sessions in Moscow. Recording and production work on the debut album lasted until May 10, 1999, when the debut was finally released. The promotion of the album “Zemfira” included heavy rotation of singles "SPID" ("AIDS"), "Arrivederchi", and "Rockets" as well as the video clips for those songs. The band immediately went on tour, starting a tradition of celebrating their beginnings with a summer concert in Ufa while recording their second album "Prosti Menya Moya Lubov" (“Forgive Me My Love”).
After the release of “PMML” (Russian abbreviation for "Forgive Me My Love") in March of 2000, “Zemfiromania” swept the country. "Iskala" (“Searced”) and "Sozrela" (“Ripe”) were huge smashes, and the group was invited to headline the Maxidrom festival. Constant touring wore the band down, and after the release of "14 Nedel Tishiny" (“14 Weeks of Silence”) the band took a break.
In September 2004 Zemfira began studies towards a degree in Philosophy at Moscow State University, releasing her 4th album “Vendetta” in 2005. In May and June 2007 Zemfira went on a short concert tour titled "Deja Vu", with performances held in smaller venues (clubs and small theatres). The tour culminated with a Moscow performance at the Green Theatre. The tour program focused on stylish remakes of the singer's top hits, often reworked in jazz, ska, bossa nova, and blues styles. Zemfira’s new album "Spasibo" (“Thank You”) was released at the beginning of October 2007. It is described by Zemfira herself as “very positive”, in contrast to what she terms the “restlessness” of “Vendetta”.
Her songs shaped the whole generation's outlook. The debut self-titled album and “PMML” were the “reference books” for boys and girls aged 16-20. Now these ex-pupils have grown up but they keep this pure freedom in their hearts, the freedom Zemfira taught them to feel.
September 2010 saw Zemfira touring several Russian and Ukrainian cities with the program timed to re-issue of her first three albums. In 2011 the singer focused maily on working at her new album and in October 2011 set off on a tour titled "12" including thirteen concerts in eleven cities. The concert The concert program will include both: Zemfira's legendary songs from her previous albums and a number of new melodies and compositions.
More info
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