Music serves as a powerful medium for expressing the emotions, experiences, and beliefs of individuals and communities affected by conflicts, often becoming a symbol of cultural identity, resistance, and unity.
To discuss the role of music, we sat down with Artemy Troitsky, a renowned journalist and author, who is the author of the book, “Back in the USSR: The True Story of Rock in Russia.” We discussed the origins of Russian Rock music, censorship, the challenges faced by Russian rock artists in navigating the restrictions imposed by the Soviet regime, the establishment of the Lenningrad Rock Club, and the impacts of Glasnost and Perestroika on the rock scene before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The conversation also included a discussion about the new Russian rock scene, and musical scene more broadly, and its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We talked about criticism of the war, modern censorship including bans and blacklisting, the mass exodus of artists out of Russia, and the role of musicians who have stayed behind.
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Artemy Troitsky
Artemy Troitsky is a Russian journalist, music critic, broadcaster and academic who has lectured on music journalism at Moscow State University. One of the world's foremost experts on Russian rock music, Troitsky has written extensively on the subject, offering insightful analysis and historical context. His works include influential books, most notably, Back in the USSR: The True Story of Rock in Russia. Currently, Troitsky is living in Tallinn, Estonia and works as a lecturer in Tallinn and Helsinki.