Exposed Vocals Interviews Malice

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Malice: I was born in Angarsk – a small city, located not so far from Baikal lake. The story about how I decided to becoame an artist is not so intresting, I think: I am very intresting in music, but there are some parts of some tracks I would like to change. So I started to make mash-ups and edits for my own use. After the moment when I noticed, that my music skills are good enough to make my own music, I started to make it. Now I am trying hard for my music to sound as professional, as I can, despite of making music is just my hobby.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Malice: I was thinking on it for so long… There were a lot of variations. English is my second language, so most of them were quite silly. Finally, I decided to fix on ‘Malice’. I guess, most of people, who see that artist name, say: “Oh, holy cheese! The guy, who has chosen that name, simply can’t make any pop/dance music”. And ‘Malice’ is kind of a cool word, also. 😀

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Malice: I think, that online music sharing changed the world. At least, it changed the world for me, because I (or anyone alse) don’t have to buy a whole album for one-two songs that you liked. You don’t even have to GO to the shop: you can explore the whole “music world” without going away from your computer/laptop/toaster/mobile phone (and e.t.c.). And also, online music sharing is good way for beginner-artists like me to share their music (even without label’s help) and get a critique from listeners and even another artists. I think I should give away all of my music for free untill the moment, when it will start sound professional. I’m pretty sure, this moment will become one day, but I’m not sure if I will sell my music: making it is just my hobby, as I said.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Malice: Invest in Doshirak. Doshirak is good.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Malice: I had no live performances yet, but  I think I’ll just pretend that it was supposed to be this way.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Malice: No I don’t, and I don’t think I will. I some kind of dislike travelling. What’s more, now I make music that isn’t made for rave-parties, live perfomances, church praying or something like that.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Malice: Sometimes I “fuse” two songs in my head and try to predict how it will sound. Or a melody just can accidentally come in my head. During my songwriting process I usually make experiments or improvise, trying to make something good.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Malice: First thing I use myzuka.fm – that’s the place, where my music gets the most popularity. Then I upload it to Bandcamp. Also I post links at my new Bandcamp track at Twitter in case to write my expressions about it or some difficulties I had to face with. And is case of find more mad people, like me, that are going to like my music, of course.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Malice: That’s a good try, FBI.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Malice: I will buy everything I dreamt about, and if there will be unspent money, 30% of it will go to charity, 70% will go to all of unpopular musicans I like.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
MIDI-keyboard, also.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Malice: The single way I would like to promote my music are stream-services like iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify and (maybe) radio play. My music is not-commercial (at least, yet), so I can’t go on label. Maybe, that’s for good.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Malice: It will be my favorite artists, of course: John Murray Hill (Johnny Massacre), Yoav Landau (The Living Tombstone), Gary Charlesworth (Glaze), Evgeniy Malkovetz (The Tesla’s Method), Liam Howlett and some others. All of them are still alive, so I have a chance.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Malice: My first EP is coming soon. And that’s top secret.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Malice: I don’t know. Music and graphics are my favorite hobbies. And reading books, of course. I can’t even think about doing someone else.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Malice: The first album I bought was The Prodigy’s ” The Fat of the Land”. That’s a really good stuff. When I bought it, I knew it will be a really ‘hot thing’. I still think it’s the one of the best albums ever made. As much like all of The Prodigy’s albums, IMHO.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Malice: My english skills aren’t good enough to understand this question. 🙁

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Malice: My new EP – just ike I said. And Gorillaz’s ‘Clint Eastwood’ Remix as a bonus.