Mateo Sujatovich explains the unstoppable success of Knowing Russia

Just four years ago, Knowing Russia had just debuted on a record label and was taking its first steps on the local scene. Today it is one of the strongest names in Argentine rock, with such a convocation power last year he filled four Gran Rex e now applies to two Movistar ArenaNovember 5th (sold out) and December 16th (added now).

The project conceived and led by Matteo Suchatovich (the “Russian” in the name of the band). has just won two Gardel Awardsin the Best Rock Artist Album and Best Cover Design categories.

Additionally, Mateo toured Mexico in May this year with great success, and from September he will be touring Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia and Spain.

The hour of the Gardels

The new Gardel Awards have given a well-deserved recognition to Mateo Sujatovich’s talent and dedication. his third album The direction He beat figures like Fito Paez, Andrés Calamaro and Palo Pandolfo, a real honor. Going up on stage to receive his statuette of him, he said:

“I won my first Gardel! The truth is that music is wonderful, my favorite place, it is what makes me live with passion, enthusiasm, fear and uncertainty. I deeply love music. Receiving this award is one of the many cuddles. that I receive in this life so generous with me. I want to thank those who listen to me, read and accompany me. I am a fan of yours, my audience. In addition, I have a spectacular team that works hard so that Knowing Russia grows. “

Tours and free days

At one stop on the tour, Mateo talked about Knowing Russia’s current landscape. “It’s days – he said – with a little rest and staying at home, reconnecting a bit with my home, my life and my people. Also organizing everything that will be the first show at the Movistar Arena” .

-How did the tour in Mexico go?

-We went in March with the band to the Vive Latino festival, and two months later I went on a solo tour, with guitar. I toured seven cities to see the reality of Knowing Russia in each of those places.

-And what did you find, what is that reality like?

-All right. It is a good place to start. I think the songs that stick the most are quite similar to the songs that stick the most here. It was very nice to go and see each place and find that there is a coupon fan base.

-Have you ever been there before?

-I left when the project just came out, in 2019. There was a chance to be at the Marvin Festival, which is quite small and indie. I went to play there, but it was pretty green because I didn’t have an organized print job. I still lacked a lot of structure and a little more competence.

-Have you reached all the shows and plans that were postponed during the pandemic?

-Yup. We are already in line. This year we will finish going to all the places we wanted to go for the first time, but it was difficult to travel. For example Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.

-How have you experienced so many postponements of shows like the Great Rex? Did you feel like a good time was slipping away or did you think it would happen anyway?

-I felt that the project was in a good moment and that things would be okay when I played again. Or actually a little more advanced. But I didn’t know how much!

– He was growing up without you noticing.

-Exactly. The size was gambling to make one Great Rex and we ended up making four.

From the Rex to the Movistar Arena

-How did you experience the different Rex at the end of last year?

-In the first I was very nervous, very aware that everything was working fine and was in order, the lights and everything else. I also corrected some lights between subject and subject! My assistant came to bring me a guitar and told him what needed to be corrected regarding lighting. I drove him crazy!

I enjoyed the other three shows much more. It was a great effort to rehearse with the band, preparing for such an event. Before we did it only for the two Nicetos, but there were just 15 songs. Here you had to play really well.

I don’t know if the word is “professionalize”, but with every step ahead of us, the group has to live up to the occasion.

-What can you expect from the first Movistar Arena, compared to the Rex?

-The Rex was the presentation of The direction. Movistar is a celebration of these four years and three albums. It is to celebrate what happens between Knowing Russia and its audience, which is something truly spectacular and surprising. I’ll do songs that I didn’t do at the Rex and bring back old songs. The movement goes a little there.

There were four Rexes, so I figured there were about 12,000 people and I said I wanted to have them all together. It is one thing to have them all separate and quite another to have them all together!

It’s a date, a party, a super party! And one more challenge, because it’s the first time in a place and it’s a huge place. And surely there will be many friends to sing.

-Before Movistar you have the tour of Spain, that is, they will arrive very sharp.

-But in Spain we will be with La Dirección Tour, so when we return we will prepare something else for the Movistar Arena, with another list, more musicians and other tricks. But yes, the band will be hot.

The new litter of rock

-Is there a new litter of groups and soloists with many calls? For example Bandalos Chinos and Zoe Gotusso and you.

-Yup. Zoe did a Big Rex and the Chinese went to the Luna Park. It’s a time when some projects obviously made a big leap. They are people I have known for several years and with whom we have shared places, talks and concerts. We share a vocation and a job.

-What other bands would you like to mention from that renewal?

– There are thousands of them! Feli Colina, Chechi de Marcos. The Tsar … There are many things that are emerging and others that are more consecrated.

-And the anger for urban music surprises you? Duki and Wos will build soccer stadiums.

-First of all, it’s amazing that someone sells out a great show in a couple of hours, be it Coldplay or Duki. When Wos came out to sell Argentinos Juniors, I was sure he would sell it that day. I don’t know Duki very well and that’s why I was a little more surprised.

The older generation and the heroes

-How did you get in touch with the previous generation of musicians, for example Fito and David Lebón?

-I feel familiar because somehow I am closer to Fito or to someone who makes songs and composes with a piano. On the other hand, with another artist I can be closer generationally, but there is a break in the way of conceiving or creating a theme.

-Did you know any of those heroes as a child, because of your father?

-No. To nobody. When I was a kid, my journey was more into film music and advertising. I wasn’t that in touch with the rock ‘n’ roll you had played a long time ago. Surprisingly, he met Luis again because I was friends with Vera Spinetta. We were about 16 and we were always together to listen to music, from Sakamoto to Led Zeppelin and all by Charly and Spinetta.

The latest album and what’s to come

-How do you now see “The address” in perspective?

-I haven’t heard from it for a couple of months, but I only heard it two days ago and I liked it. Sometimes I listen to my records when I take “long” car journeys, so I can listen to them for 40 minutes at a time. And I loved it. The truth is the record is good!

-How do you see it compared to the previous one, “Cabildo y Juramento”?

-Different. Something has changed, but I’m not sure what it is. It was composed in a pandemic and is cut by the scissors of staying home and having pandemic thoughts.

-Lockdown and confinement have turned into creativity and productivity.

-Yup. They were composed in a completely different way, even if a short time has passed. Obviously, in a short time, many things can happen.

-How is the next one coming, what do you have in your folder?

– I am much more in the process of releasing this. As soon as I release an album I want to do another one, but I really need to take a little more time, especially after making three albums in four years. . Even if it’s a vacation or something like a vacation. Feed yourself on other things and let everything rest a little, so maybe new things appear.

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