Unquote- the next Burial?

Vsevolod Ermakov, aka Unquote, is a Russian native and has been making beautiful D&B beats since 2007. Featured on Hospital's 'Future Sound of Russia', his productions have been picked up by Tom Novy and his debut album has just hit on Hospital's sister label, Med School.  Helen S caught up with him about the local scene and what his musical plans are.

Pulse Radio: Hello Unquote, where are you right now?  Unquote: Hello! Right now I'm in the region of Saint-Petersburg in the little city called Kirovsk

You're originally from Russia, tell us a bit about how you got into the drum & bass scene?  The first time I heard D+B was in 2004. At that time I had no information sources apart from radio & TV. Once I heard on the radio a promotion of some rave called "Pirate Station" where was very strange and unknown music for me and there was also a CD mentioned with the same title. After that I went to a music store in search of this CD but I had no money to buy it. On the reverse side of the cover was said that this mix was recorded by DJ Gvozd (owner of Respect Records) who also heading the "Pirate Station" radio show. The first time I heard this show was just before the "PS" party, with guests Bad Company, Grooverider and somebody else. They all were playing fast energetic music of unusual rhythmic structure (before it I listened just to straight beat music) and I really liked it! Since then, I’ve been immersed in it. Due to the fact that the show was broadcasted 2 times a week, from 12 a.m till 4 a.m it was hard for me to get up early in the morning to go to school but it was worth it. It was the beginning of a long journey to what you can hear now!

Is the scene big in Russia and who's really flying the flag for it?  The scene isn’t really big but it is growing really fast nowadays and newcomers continue to warm hearts and ears. To name some new genius compatriots on the scene: Bulb, Nuage, Parhelia, Spherique (for deep and beautiful music) and also something that really aroused my interest - NRanges & Uberman (something darker and thicker). And if you hadn’t yet, you should better get acquainted with the production of our famous artists: Subwave, Enei, Bop, Paul B, Oak, Dissident, Electrosoul System.

For a country that's so large, we hear very little in terms of musical output over here. Why do you think that is and what are we missing out on?   We have few big cities where there is modern life and only in these cities can new artists arise. Certainly there are exceptions, but without the internet they can't share with other world they successes.

As a producer and DJ, what's your goal with your music?  I don’t have a special purpose when I’m doing tracks or DJing. It’s all about fun and showing my own vision of music.

 So far, what's been the highlight of your career?   It was the day when Tony Colman has offered me an album deal for Med School Music!

You have a new release on Med School, what can we expect from that?  Well for me this album is a state of soul and body when you are alone and you hear your thoughts and your heart inside you. Some people called it ''The song about love of 21st century'' – a really nice vision!

And where can we see you play soon?  At the moment I haven’t got any forthcoming gigs! Getting a visa to UK is the main problem as it’s hard for Russians.

Finally, if you could produce music with any other musician (dead or alive!), who would it be?  I would love to work with Burial. I became acquainted with his music quite recently, but I’d heard people talk about our "similarity" a long time before. His music struck me, he’s an awesome musician.

Unquote- Reverberation Box is out now on Med School Recordings

Listen to Unquote on Pulse Radio