Interview with Yaroslav Dronov (SHAMAN)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihkk7pP-TfE

— Yaroslav, good day! Thank you very much for taking the time for this interview in your busy schedule.

— Yes, a frantic schedule. But, well, it is what it is.

— I’d like to start with one of the biggest events in music — the international "Intervision" song contest. You represented Russia at a very high level, and I want to thank you for that as well. This year’s winner was an artist from Vietnam, Duc Phuc. He told journalists that he wants to record a joint song with you. Also, a group from South Africa expressed a desire to do a collaboration. Did they discuss this with you?

— No direct requests or proposals have come through my team or my concert director. So, no one has discussed this with me personally.

I can say one thing: we met during the contest. It was the final day after all the rehearsals, and no one knew who would win yet. But it so happened — I don’t know if it's a coincidence or not, but I feel it wasn't an accident — that I gave the participant from Vietnam my merch.

I’m currently on a nationwide tour called "Victory" (Pobeda), and I had a small bag with that inscription. In a sense, I gifted and predicted that victory for him.

— Do you stay in touch with participants from other countries?

— I recently had a concert in Minsk and contacted Anastasiya Kravchenko, who represented Belarus. I invited her to my solo concert to perform the piece "Butterfly" (Motylek), which she performed at Intervision.

In December, we have a tour across Belarusian cities, and I will gladly keep inviting her to participate with that number. To me, it seems like a matter of good manners, at the very least.

— According to the Russian jury member Igor Matvienko, next year the country could be represented by singer Valeria Bervulf or the group OTYKEN. Are you familiar with their work?

— By the way, taking this opportunity — greetings, Igor! As for the mentioned participants — unfortunately, I’m not familiar with their work. But here’s the thing: you can’t embrace the unembraceable. If the participants are worthy — why not? I’m all for it, with both hands and feet.

— And who do you see representing Russia at Intervision next year?

— According to the contest rules, the performer must be young, and the song must be brand new, written specifically in the year of the event.

I’m sure every year throws up new surprises. In 2026, new names and new hits will definitely appear in the musical space and show business. Conclusions should be made based on that.

Right now, it's a bit early to talk about it. I think we should start the discussion somewhere in February next year.

— It seems that since March, the whole country has been waiting with bated breath for you to propose to Ekaterina Mizulina. And then on November 5th, you announced that you got married. Was there an actual proposal moment?

— Yes, there was a moment, of course.

— How and where did it happen, if it's not a secret?

— Well, it’s no secret. By the way, Katyusha, hi! I came back from another business trip, from a tour. She met me — she always meets me: dinner, she’s all beautiful, like a picture, in a dress. No matter how rumpled I am when I walk in, I’m always carrying a bouquet of flowers.

We sat down at the table and had dinner. I caught my breath more or less and proposed. She said, "Yes." So, it was in a family, home setting — just sitting in the kitchen at dinner. Maximum simplicity, without any "flexing" or showing off.

To be honest, we didn't even plan to post anything on November 5th. We wanted to keep it for the family archive. Many people like to say that "happiness loves silence." I’d like to see them try to live the life Ekaterina and I live for even a month and just be in our shoes.

They would realize that a media couple is always under the lens anyway — and not just the lens, but something more substantially dangerous. Therefore, especially in our case, we didn't want to publish anything.

But the thing is, the footage leaked anyway. We had no choice but to override it with information from ourselves, so that everything wouldn't be at the level of gossip, but from the primary sources — from me and Ekaterina. We try to protect such serious steps from prying eyes. Happiness does love silence, after all.

— In October, you and Grigory Leps released a joint song "She Won't Say 'Yes'." Is this somehow connected to your personal events?

— Not mine, not yours... Greetings, Grigory! We were literally on the phone right before the interview, and yesterday I visited him. We are friends, and good friends at that. I feel such a sense of calm knowing I have a true friend.

Is the release connected to my worries that Ekaterina wouldn't agree? No. I heard this song six months ago or even more. Grigory and I were sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea, listening to songs people sent him on a laptop. We listened to it once, twice, three times and thought: "Good song." It was written back in 2018 or even earlier, when he acquired it.

After our first duet "hit" with the song "A Real Man" (Nastoyashchiy Muzhchina), we needed to do something interesting, so we decided to take this one. It's just a fantasy on a theme. A creator doesn't always have to dedicate something to someone — sometimes it's just an image that comes to mind. So no, it's not connected.

— But speaking of dedications: will there be a song dedicated to the wedding with Ekaterina?

— If I say "yes" now, I'll spoil the surprise. If I say "no," I'll upset someone. So I won't say "yes" or "no." Let it remain an intrigue.

— The marriage registration was a quiet circle. Do you plan to celebrate this event on a grand scale with many guests?

— No, we don't plan a grand scale. There won't be a large number of guests — only the closest people. Everything will happen without cameras, without media, and without extra "targets."

Maybe next year, if there's an impulse, we'll do something, but don't expect a wide ceremony. It will be a closed format: cultured, quiet, peaceful, just our own people. And that’s it.

— And what is the foundation of your family?

— I’d be a fool if I didn’t say the word — love. But love is multifaceted. You can find it even in a single unwashed plate.

What do I mean? Suppose you had breakfast or dinner — well, wash your plate and fork. Someone cooked for you, and you did something with your hands in return. It’s that "lending a shoulder," a mutual story. Or you see the trash can is full — don't stomp it down with your foot, just take it out. She walks in, and it's clean — that’s nice.

You shouldn't be lazy; you should think with your head and constantly stay in the moment. For example, I know she had a bad mood in the morning. I'm driving home tired after an interview, but I'll stop and buy a bouquet. Or I'll remember that a couple of months ago she looked at something, she already forgot about it, and I go "Oops!" and gift it. And she behaves exactly the same way toward me; it’s a mirrored story.

— So it’s all built on support in the little things?

— Exactly. Support in the simplest everyday things, because everything is made of little things. You have to approach this with a mature brain. We have no emotional rollercoasters. I am happy that I come home to peace and quiet, no showdowns or tension.

I get enough drive at work. At home, I rest. Like when she met me in a dress — at first, I wanted to go change into a home T-shirt, but then I thought: "Am I a fool?" I’ll come out of the shower in a suit and shoes. She surprised me with a dress, so I’ll surprise her. That’s how we live. I’ve been looking for this kind of peace all my life, and now I have it. It would be unwise not to maintain it.

— And how does Ekaterina help you in your creative work? Maybe she sets the mood in a special way?

— We don’t interfere in each other's work at all; we don’t get in the way or give advice. She is an expert and specialist in her field, and I — I hope — am in mine. Although we walk the same paths, we try not to invade each other's professional sphere. It’s not necessary.

We are both self-sufficient people and don't require advice in our respective directions. Otherwise, you advise something, and then you end up being the one to blame. Why do that? You need to approach such questions with wisdom.

— Moving to the topic of work: in early September, it became known that Rospatent officially denied you the registration of the "I am Russian" (Ya Russkiy) trademark. How did they explain the reason for the refusal?

— Actually, it wasn't even this year, but back in October of last year, as far as I remember. All this hype is an old story. Your colleagues or someone else just try to blow up this news from time to time, thinking they can sting me with it.

But they are short-sighted and don't understand the original reason — why and for what purpose it was done. People don't know the "insides": a huge number of companies had already tried to register this brand in various categories, including that scandalous story with vodka.

I did it, firstly, to show them all: it's impossible. If they refused me, then they definitely have no chance. And secondly, imagine the situation from a safety perspective. If some factories or businessmen had succeeded, they would have started selling this vodka under the name "I am Russian." And if people got poisoned? Who would be to blame? Shaman. In our country, Shaman is always to blame for everything.

— So it was a kind of protective barrier?

— Exactly. I simply killed their appetite for doing bad things. I knew from the start how it would go; I just neatly and beautifully, within the law, turned the situation to my advantage.

— Does that mean there won't be repeat attempts to file the application?

— Why? No, of course not. It was a preventive measure, so they won't try it again. A good word — prevention.

— You already mentioned that on November 22nd and 23rd, you will have concerts at the State Kremlin Palace, where you will celebrate your birthday. What are you preparing for the audience? What surprises await us?

— I can answer in one phrase: "You have never seen SHAMAN like this." 100%. It will be a concert-performance, a concert-MC show, a concert-stand-up, and a concert-confession.

Ultimately, it will be a concert-interview where I will talk about my life path from childhood to the "ripe" age of 34. This whole narrative will be seasoned with life stories, jokes, philosophical reflections, and song introductions. There will be a feeling that we aren't in the Kremlin, but in a kitchen in an intimate setting. It’s a candid conversation with the viewer about my emotions and experiences.

— Your journey began at age 4, which is why the concert is called "30 Years on Stage." Who was a role model for you at the beginning of your career?

— Back then, I was omnivorous: I listened to what my parents, grandmother, and grandfather listened to. As a rule, the role model was the TV, music channels, and "Blue Light" (Goluboy Ogonyok) holiday specials. The whole pool of artists whom I have now, thank God, met and communicate with personally (which is still a miracle to me) — that’s what I grew up on.

— Do you remember your first performance?

— Yes, I remember. It was in Novomoskovsk, at the city Palace of Culture. They handed me a microphone that seemed huge in my small child's palm. I sang a children’s folk song "Oh, you my porch, my porch" (Akh vy, seni moi, seni).

— Which points on your path became key in your development?

— My personal determination at age 15. Not when my parents took me to music school, but when I got a job as a singer in a restaurant myself. Then I knew for sure: 100% I want to do music; this is my business, I will dedicate my life to this profession.

— And what about later, the most vivid performances in these 30 years?

— Everyone knows about them. It was the moment of my rise, when the song "Let’s Stand Up" (Vstanem) came out in 2022. That was the first point where I realized I had managed to break through. I had been walking a long way — 15 years — and only at age 30 did it all work out.

As producers say, the second song is often more important than the first because it helps you finally establish yourself. And that second song was "I am Russian" (Ya Russkiy), released that same summer. It was a turning point. And that was it — the concerts and tours started, and the whirlwind swept me up.

— The songs "I am Russian," "My Fight" (Moy Boy), and "Let's Stand Up" are known to the whole country. Was there an idea to translate them into other languages to make them more popular worldwide?

— Why? Let them learn Russian. I have a dream for songs in Russian to be loved, sung, and listened to all over the world. And it seems to me that this dream is coming true, even if in small steps.

— This year you traveled all over Russia with the "Victory" tour, including Donbas and Novorossiya. Are there plans to visit these regions again next year?

— As I said, in early November we were there together with Ekaterina: we laid flowers, visited children at a lyceum, and visited the Church of Peter and Fevronia. We did all this alongside the main program. Of course, I will go again with pleasure.

There are certain complexities: when I go there, I don't just sing songs with a guitar. I bring a full-scale show with big lighting and sound — exactly the same as in any other Russian city. I want people to get the exact same emotions. And I’m always proven right: the audience doesn't expect such a scale; they think everything will be modest, and then — bam! They really appreciate it; it gives a completely different feeling to the concert.

Of course, this involves difficult logistics and security issues, which always come first. But we aren't afraid of difficulties; we’re used to overcoming them.

— This year you also visited North Korea twice. What is the audience like there?

— Amazing. To be honest, I would go there again and again. During the first visit, it wasn't quite clear how to interact with the hall, because the audience there seems very restrained. I was even told that call-and-response chants wouldn't work — people wouldn't understand the language or it just wasn't the custom.

But by the first song, I felt the contact and "rocked" them. The program was rock-oriented and full of drive. And during the song "I am Russian," I went off-protocol entirely: I came down from the stage and walked through the hall giving high-fives. At first they pulled back, and then they themselves reached out from the second and third rows. In the end, we were on the same wavelength. We found something kindred.

— Are you planning to give concerts in other countries?

— We’ll see. It all depends on the proposals. But if we talk about personal desire, I am very interested in China. I haven't been there yet.

— Igor Matvienko believes that songs with folk motifs are now gaining popularity naturally. Have you thought about creating a duet with Nadezhda Kadysheva or Tatyana Kurtukova?

— Nadezhda Babkina and I want to launch something joint next year. God willing, it will work out.

I don't communicate as closely with Tatyana or Nadezhda Kadysheva personally — we’ve only seen each other briefly backstage. But with Nadezhda Babkina, we talk for hours; we can just call each other as friends, same as with Pelageya. In creativity, it’s important for people to communicate off-stage as well, to enjoy each other's company. When not just a creative, but a human collaboration forms — that is the most valuable thing.

— Recently you released a track with Igor Butman...

— I wrote that song back in early summer. At that time, Igor and I didn't know each other personally. But when we met, I immediately realized exactly what the song was missing to gain new colors...