Kazaky :: Making Music...Marking the Scene

With the continuing shifts in popular music and the constantly evolving diorama of nightlife culture always marking the new trends, when the two worlds merge you get an irrepressible knowing of what's in, what's hot - who's trending...and who's not! The underground club scene has always existed to influence and inform the mainstream - and the minute everyone else is doing it, it's time to find something different and try something new. After all that's what fashion is all about and last year is so yesterday.

So we're always on the hunt for what's new and exciting. We can be fickle and not easy to impress. In the dim and dark caverns of club land, it takes more than the laser beams and strobe lights to keep our attention.

Performance blending with fashion and high-kicking heels in chic, black spandex aren't all that the internationally sensational quartet Kazaky are about. The sexily androgynous pop singers are the version 2.0 of boy bands in our post-Gaga club music world where being yourself means boasting your hard-chiseled abs down the catwalk in mad, tall stilettos while showing off those pecs and asses of steel. It's both wild and weird to admit that the group has a startlingly unique way of turning the crowd on.

The Boys (in Heels) in the Band.

They made their incredible US debut recently in New York City at the persistent invite of FV Events who were determined to introduce the phenomenon to stateside audiences. Before a crowd anxiously awaiting the band to take the stage, EDGE caught up with Kazaky for a session of "getting to know you".

EDGE: Welcome to NYC! We're so excited that you guys made your NYC debut at Club 57. Do you think you're ready for New York City? Have you ever visited the States?

KAZAKY: Oh! We've been are looking forward to New York and meeting with our fans! We have long planned this, but some visa problems prevented it. We haven't performed in the US as a group. So we really hope you'll be surprised.

EDGE: What sort of impression do you have of New Yorkers? What are you expecting? And what can New York City expect from you Kazaky? Is there anything particular that we can do to make your visit memorable?

KAZAKY: We all love this iconic city. Though, Cyril has never been in America, and he still feels his connection with NY. In fact, our most active and true fans just live in North and South America. Therefore, when we prepare our full show, we'll immediately start a big tour in the Western Hemisphere. And we're not choosy; so do not worry about our reception. We're just glad to see your eyes and your city.

EDGE: As beautiful as you guys are -- I doubt you'll have any trouble making new friends in NYC. There are 4 of you in the group. Tell me your names and one word that describes your individual personality.

OLEG: Passion
ARTHUR: Ease
KYRYLL: freedom
STAS: mystery

EDGE: You've developed a very different style and spin to the usual boy bands. How did you come up with your unique take on performing? Did you come up with your own fashion sense?

KAZAKY: Stylists work on our image, and we personally discuss all the details. For example, the style for the video "Love" was created by a popular Ukrainian stylist - Anna Osmehina. We often consult her, because she has quite original vision of the world. We love it. But we work with other stylists as well.

Kazaky...Born This Way.

EDGE: The comparisons to Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue -- both artists who are well known for their music and fashion are very obviously reflected in your motifs. Who are your inspirations? There must be many people in music and fashion that inspire you.

KAZAKY: We are encouraged and inspired by all the brave people - especially those who are not afraid to experiment. We liked your comparisons, but we are like these people because they also are not afraid to experiment. Not afraid of criticism from the public. And it's not just Lady Gaga or Kylie Minogue. There are a lot of such people.

EDGE: How would you describe yourselves in the scope of the popularity that you're experiencing as a band?

KAZAKY: "Workaholics." We understand that we still don't have so many concerts as major world artists. But we have few days off. We are crazy for our work. This is our life.

EDGE: How did you guys meet? Was the chemistry immediate when you met? Before coming together as an act, were you each pursuing individual careers?

KAZAKY: We've danced all of our lives. We all lived and grew up in different places. And some met on a TV show and others just through friends. It turned out that we all love dancing and all are professional dancers. And then an idea occurred to create something together in order to advance. After all, four people can do much more than one.

EDGE: The name "Kazaky" is unique all of its own. Does it mean something specific?

KAZAKY: On the one hand the word "Kazaky" is associated with the Slavic ethnic group known in history. But actually, we just unanimously liked that word - its consonance and rhythm. Morphology of the word Kazaky says only one thing - Kazaky...the group, that is - here we are, and nothing else.

Expressing Themselves.

EDGE: Your music is very hot. It feels very progressive and edgy but it also has lends to a very retro feel -- you are reminiscent of the pop/dance artists from the 80's. What music do you guys listen to that inspires you?

KAZAKY: We are inspired by high-quality music. Starting from classical music to the latest hits. But we try to do something different to surprise the audience and keep a certain place in the music industry - our own place.

EDGE: The video for your song "Love" beautifully crafted your image -- you guys have an aggressively androgynous (male to female/female to male) image and these beautiful bodies...as you prance around in very high heels. Does Kazaky have a specific message that it's sending with this profoundly customized image?

KAZAKY: We just wanted to make a beautiful dance. We noticed that girls - who wear heels everyday -have a very nice posture. So when stylists offered us to use this in our dancing...we agreed. And you can see that it turned out rather nice. We like it, and, most importantly, our fans like it. Therefore in concerts we dance both in heels and in ordinary shoes.

EDGE: The video for "In The Middle" is very different from "Love" - it's very hot and sexy! I could play that one again and again -- I like you guys sweaty! Which one is your favorite?

KAZAKY: The video "In The Middle" is very dear to us because it is the first and the more outspoken one in the sense of production. Perhaps, we love that one more. But now we are preparing an incredibly insane show for the new video.

EDGE: You must have gotten a lot of reaction on the Internet to your music and image. Has the response been positive -- are you enjoying the attention that fans are giving you? What about the critics? Have there been any negative response to your artistry?

KAZAKY: Fortunately, there was not some kind of categorical criticism or negativity. If the Vatican does not mind, then everything is okay.

EDGE: It's very important in this day and age to be honest and portray positive role models for kids all over who will look at you guys as their inspiration. What do you have to say to the next generation of Kazaky fans?

KAZAKY: Do not be afraid to express yourself. Do not be afraid to improve and take risks. Do not be afraid to be first and the best. We are all born for some kind of purpose.

And in Kazaky's case incredible fashion sense.