When did you decide that a career in music was for you?

I was five years old, living in the Soviet Union and my father, a world-renowned physicist, brought me a tape in 1972, from abroad of The Beatles. I listened to it constantly and I knew immediately I had to be a musician and nothing else.

 

Who are your musical inspirations and why?

I would like to start my list of artists who inspired me, and still do, with the African-American bluesman, the fantastic Floyd Lee -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Lee

Also Jim Morrison, David Bowie, John Lennon and Leonard Cohen.

For me particularly, these musicians were not just writing the songs; they revealed a whole new world of colour to the audience – this is why their music will always be timeless.

 

Can you tell me 3 things about yourself that people might not already know?

I don’t watch movies, I don’t listen to music and I love baseball.

 

What song of yours best describes you and why?

“Betting On My Fate” and “Cocaine Hangover” both sum up  my crazy and very controversial life!

 

What has been the best gig you have done to date and why?

In 2010 my previous band BLAST supported Deep Purple at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, in front of 60,000 people and – believe it or not – in our 40 minute set  the crowd went wild.

 

If you could perform a gig at any venue where would it be and why?

The Royal Albert Hall in London – because I love it! 

 

What has been your best achievement to date and what would you like to achieve in the future?

Best achievement: I’m still alive and creating music!

Achieve in the future: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

Tell me a story from backstage or after a gig?

In 1995 when I was in the US with my band SALAMANDRA Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records supported us to record our first single and gave us an audition. It didn’t go as planned, however. Before the gig we had a bottle of cognac and some other stuff to help us relax but we went too far. When we came on stage we were out of our heads. The report to Atlantic was, unfortunately for us, all too clear. The moral of the story is ‘never get loose before the battle’ but it’s part of my life and I embrace it.

 

What do you like best about being a musician and why?

Unlimited freedom

 

If you were not in the job you are now what would you be doing?

Still playing guitar.

 

What has been the best gig you have been too as a fan and can you tell us about it?

I was at Paul McCartney’s soundcheck for his Red Square gig in Moscow in 2005. He sound checked for three hours, it was just me and his crew.

 

What would your ideal festival line up be and why?

The entire world of unsigned musicians☺

 

What would you say is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

“You gotta do what you gotta do”! (BB King)

 

What things make you happy and what things annoy you?

Family, friends and music make me happy. Politics annoys me.

 

What things do you like to do when you are away from music?

Sitting on the top of the mountain watching the sun go up and down.

 

Do you think social media and the internet are a good thing in the music industry?

Anything that gets music to the people has to be a good thing.

 

How important do you think you look and image is when it comes to being in the music industry?

I am who I am, I don’t waste my time thinking about looks and image.

Can you tell us about any tattoos you have and the significance of them to you?

The only tattoo I have is on my right forearm which says “LOVE”

 

If you run the country for a day what would you change about it and why?

I would get rid of all politicians because they are useless

 

What would your ideal day consist of?

Being creative. Writing songs and recording them in our studio in the mountains of Georgia.

 

What has been your experience during the Covid 19 situations.Can you tell us how this has affected you personally,how it has affected you professionally and maybe a story from this time or a message for people out there?

Being in lockdown was like being in prison for me, it doesn’t matter how big the ‘prison’ is, it still felt like being in a cage.  Professionally it was terrible that there were no gigs to play but, on the bright side, it gave me a lot of time to write songs and look at the world and myself from a different perspective. My message is, very simply, people should love and take care of each other. 

 

If you could say one thing to your fans what would it be and why?

As I said, and strongly believe, people should love and take care of each other. 

 

How would you answer the question Who is Nash Albert and what are the differences between you as a music artist and you away from music? 

It is pretty much the same thing, music is an integral part of me.

 

What was the first record or song you purchased and why?

In the 1970s I bought from a smuggler “Jesus Christ Superstar” because I had heard it before and loved it.

 

What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a musician and getting into the music industry?

I would say that you can’t become a musician like you can become an accountant – either you are a musician or you’re not. Try not to think about the music industry. Just follow your own path.

 

If you could collaborate with any other band/singer or musician who would you choose and why?

I would collaborate with Bill Clinton because he plays saxophone ☺. Turning politicians into musicians - wouldn’t that be cool!!

If you could have written one song from history which would it have been and why?

‘Imagine” – it perfectly matches my philosophy.

 

What things make you uncomfortable?

Any restrictions.

 

If you wrote a book about yourself what would it have in it?

Photos.

 

What has the rest of the year got in store for you?

In April I am going to Georgia to start recording a new album with my SALAMANDRA bandmates who I was touring the US with in the 1990s. This summer I plan to tour Europe – maybe even the US, despite my lost chance with Atlantic!