Andrei Makarevich: The Multifaceted Legend of Soviet Music

Andrei Makarevich: A Legendary Figure

Andrei Makarevich is a legendary figure whose influence transcends generations. Whether it’s his stance on modern Russian governance, his romantic liaisons, or his musical genius, indifference towards him is impossible for those who grew up in the USSR. His music, particularly the iconic “Time Machine” album, resonates deeply with fans who sang along to “Here’s a new turn” until their voices grew hoarse. Just an hour before this interview, I asked friends if they had any questions for Makarevich. The unanimous response was, “Tell him he’s amazing!” I would go further and call him a phenomenon. Makarevich’s multifaceted personality is so vast that our 15-minute phone interview barely scratched the surface of his many passions.

Belarus: A Land of Beauty and Nature

Makarevich has always spoken warmly of Belarus and its people. When asked what he likes most about Belarus, he responds:

“Firstly, you have wonderful, beautiful people. Secondly, the fantastic nature that you’ve managed to preserve in its pristine state. This is a rare phenomenon on our planet today.”

He agrees with Vladimir Tsesler’s statement about Vilnius: “I think the lack of money is a fortunate circumstance that allows us not to spoil it.” Makarevich adds, “Tsesler is one of my closest friends. He’s right, but money is something that can be earned.”

The Beatles: A Turning Point in Music

Makarevich agrees with Tsesler’s view that the modern world is divided into two: before and after The Beatles. For Makarevich, this division is even more significant as he is deeply involved in music. He shares, “We recorded at The Beatles’ studio, Abbey Road, twice: in 2006 with the album ‘Time Machine’ and in 2007 with the ‘Creole Tango Orchestra.'”

A Collector’s Passion

Makarevich is known for his passion for collecting. However, he doesn’t consider himself a collector in the traditional sense. He explains, “I bring home objects that carry a certain aesthetic of a particular time. These objects warm my soul and often convey the spirit of the era better than any book written about it.”

Among his favorite items are a tobacco box, a boat measure from a Russian tavern, a glass vase, and even a dinosaur bone he found while scuba diving. He shares his pride in helping to raise a brigantine from the bottom of the sea near Khortytsia, Ukraine.

Maintaining Inner Balance

When asked about maintaining inner balance under pressure, Makarevich responds, “Who says I maintain it? If there’s pressure, it’s best not to think about it. Just do your job, preferably something you love.”

He agrees with Boris Grebenshchikov’s view that one shouldn’t dwell on the past as it “anchors” you. However, Makarevich admits that he doesn’t always succeed in this. While he’s not interested in revisiting his own past, he is fascinated by the past of humanity, particularly in music, aesthetics, and visual arts.

Art and Writing

Makarevich has collaborated with the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg, creating several sets of dishes and cups. He has also tried his hand at painting with cobalt in Gzhel. Although most of his early figurines were given away, he continues to explore his artistic passions.

As for writing, Makarevich shares that a book comes to him when it’s ready. He writes regularly for the “Russian Pioneer” magazine, which he finds more interesting than STORY magazine due to its literary nature and the diversity of its contributors.

Svetlana Alexievich: A Nobel Laureate

Makarevich congratulates Svetlana Alexievich on her Nobel Prize but admits he hasn’t read her books yet. He doesn’t engage in the debate about whether she’s a Russian or Belarusian author, stating, “I don’t understand this ‘ours’ and ‘not ours’ terminology. There are many bilingual people in Ukraine and Belarus. Dividing Alexievich is foolish.”

Happiness and Forgiveness

Makarevich’s song about happiness, “Happiness is like candy wrappers in a little box,” is often perceived as childish. However, he believes it’s a very adult song that encapsulates his views on happiness.

When asked about what he can’t forgive in a woman, he responds, “Which woman? All women are different: I can’t forgive one anything, and I forgive another everything. The same goes for men. I can’t think abstractly; give me a specific person.”

Cherishing Time

Makarevich believes that the most important thing in life is not to waste time. Even during our interview, he’s drawing with his other hand. He shares, “I’m not drawing ‘what,’ but ‘how’ (laughs). Very well!”

In the movie “What Men Talk About,” Makarevich has a monologue about the absence of the future. He explains that this is not his text but something written by the authors. He loves what they (the “I” Quartet) do and sometimes performs with them. In the sense that it’s said in the movie, he agrees that the future is not what it used to be. He realizes that he won’t live forever and that his future is now significantly shorter than his past. This is an objective reality, and there’s no need to tear out the remaining hair but to draw conclusions. In this somewhat childish sense, there is no future. There comes a time when you repeat your actions more than you open something new.