Monday Is Ok Mix: St. Savor

 
Music

St. Savor are a Russian duo – Maxim Ryzhkov and Ildar Valiakhmetov – who've had a couple of releases so far, including a contribution to a split EP on Blind Jacks Journey. Having felt trapped creatively in their solo careers, they met online and have since merged forces.

Their first release was a contribution to Balkan Connection's 'Connection V' compilation in 2012, and since then they've put out a couple more EPs, with support from DJs such as Daniel Avery and Bill Brewster.

The duo have made a mix for us which we're very happy to share below. Maxim – who also presents the 'Free Ends' radio show – took some time out to answer our questions:

Please introduce yourself…
Who are you?

Carillonneur.

Where are you?

South Russia.

What are you?

Worrying seagull.

Tell us about the Monday mixtape you’ve put together for us.

It's music, that touches me this year.

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

Cold long bitter road underneath the night sun of owl’s wisdom.

If it were a food what would it be?

Maybe chicken Caesar salad.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Garden of Iranian roses.

What should we be wearing?

Turquoise vesture which was worn out.

Where was it recorded?

Between two pine-trees at the riverside.

Are you on the same wavelength as the Boomtown Rats or do you actually like Mondays?

Today is not the same as yesterday and definitely will be not like tomorrow and day after tomorrow.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

Earth Nation.

Who would you say are your biggest influences and what are you hoping to achieve with your music?

Ulrich Schnauss, Bersarin Quartett, Bark Psychosis. I want to find more like-minded person.

What were your original aspirations as musicians and how do you think you're shaping up?

Might be debut album in the future. Would love to start it.

Some self help questions for a Monday:
Am I excited to dive into the challenges that I have lined up for the week?

26 December will play in Sochi, Sky Club.

Am I looking forward to engaging with the people I am meeting or working with?

Always!

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

I feel myself like someone who knows that you can not to burst the balloon.

You just had a fight with the person you are closest to. Do you not speak to them until they apologise… or do you apologise first?

Everything depends on situation.

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose? How long would it be before you eat them?

My friend. We would feel soft warm wind every morning, and then I go to fish.

Your doctor says you need more exercise… what do you take up for exercise?

Walking & run!

If you could travel in time… where in time would you go? Why?

I would stand in the haze as dreams of sufis. Here and now.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

Snap – 'Rhythm Is A Dancer'.

How does your brain work when making music? How does it work when you aren’t?

Brain works.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Earth Nation – 'Transfiguration' (Superfly); Chiwonisa – 'Zvichapera' (Nyami Nyami Records).

What are you obsessed with at the moment?

Milorad Pavic – Hazarski Recnik.

What's your answer to everything?

Is it possible that feeling of beauty is one the shapes of penance. He says ‘how beautiful’ when needed to say ‘sorry'.