’Stok character

>> Kasimir Popstock is the Russian
Federation’s “#1 top techno vocalist”

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

With a technique somewhere between Fat Boys at their finest and that shaggy dude at Sherbrooke metro who sings Doors songs a cappella, Kasimir Popstock, hailing from the rump end of Russia, recasts classic club tracks with his voice alone. The Mirror used superior Western communications technology to contact this savvy vocalist, who single-handedly signed the cola-wars ceasefire with his creation CokeSi (go to youtube.com/watch?v=A0YmhSDVmpA to see how, or to kasimir.biz for a taste of his tunes).

Mirror: How did you discover your magical talent for making voice music?

Kasimir Popstock: Good question! I often drunk at the rave parties and sang the techno hits while at bathroom, many friends tell me, “You should record,” or they say, “You got tha hot shit! You should start a vocalist career!”

M: Techno Voice calls you “the new wave of Russian beatboxing.” Is it appropriate to call what you do “beatboxing”? Also, if you are the new wave, is there an old wave, and are they your friends or enemies?

KP: First question answer—I prefer the term “voice music” or “#1 top techno vocalist.” I think it’s better description of my art. Twice question answer—Russian Federation has many great vocalists, Ajax, MC Greg, DJ Mister USA and more, a lot of them are dead now so I’m not enemies! I think they be proud now of my skillz. In popular songs, I like ringtones of the “Dima Bilan”—popular band! And in popular top chart music I like the French song “Amies Ennemies” by Nâdiya, she’s the hot type! I like do duo!

M: You have done exciting interpretations of music by LCD Soundsystem, Tiga, Green Velvet, Mr. Oizo and Throbbing Gristle. What cover versions are you working on next?

KP: Very good question! I also have track for tribute to Ikea that I say all Ikea’s famous items like Forshed, Norden, Kasett etc. The track I called “Put It Together.” Yes, there’s also Ikea now in Russian Federation! There’s more unreleased tracks for soon on www.kasimir.biz—AFX, Telex and new original Popstock compos. Future I do mix CD DJ set for people to discover another side of Kasimir—DJ culture!

M: You come from Vladivostok. It’s the Russian Federation’s eastern naval centre, the home of the popular Russian rock group Mumiy Troll, and also, close enough to North Korea that you could probably piss on Kim Jong-Il’s pants leg from your balcony. What other interesting facts should Canadians know about Vladivostok?

KP: Yes true we have a big military boat celebration last July—you check on YouTube, good film of it. More of the features of Vladivostok—most surprise fact for many peoples: Vladivostok was closed to all outsiders till 1991. Before that peoples needs special permission to come in the city. Many see UFO objects in sky in Vladivostok or close to the city sky, even once UFO crash. We have great football team, Футбольный клуб "Луч-Энергия" Владивосток. Great actor Yul Brynner born in Vladivostok, great canoer Alexey Volkonsky also born Vladivostok. For finish I like to say that you wish welcome for everybody for come to the show, I be giving free real American cash! No bullshit!

With Arthur the Techno Dog (with the Mole)
and Vincent Lemieux at Academy on Friday,
March 30, 10 p.m., $6 ($8 after midnight)