Guyana is in touch. Gayana Boytsova: “I want to be not just a background, but to convey something important to people. Gayana Boytsova: “I want to be not just a background, but to convey something important to people”

Gayana Boytsova (Zakharova) was born in Krasnodar in May 1992. She inherited her musical abilities from her father's side. A bright singing talent manifested itself at a very early age, so the parents decided to support the girl’s aspirations to study music at a high professional level and later to devote herself to this profession. Gayana herself always speaks of her family with great love and is glad that abilities are passed on through generations. Her father Valery was born in Ashgabat, and despite the fact that he himself did not choose a musical path, he gave his daughter the opportunity to fully realize herself in music. As for Marina’s mother, originally from Yerevan, she, who herself had nothing to do with creativity, did her best to help her daughter develop and grow in her profession.

Having first met the world of music at the age of five, little Gayana never parted with her favorite activity. She successfully passed the audition and entered a music school in Krasnodar. At the age of six, little Gayana becomes a full member of the Premiere Creative Association. The girl is grateful to the experienced teachers of the studio, who not only cultivated taste and taught the most important basics of vocals, but also built the right attitude towards the profession. The kids were not allowed to be lazy, they worked equally with everyone else, which ultimately formed a tempered character, and most importantly, an attitude towards music as responsible, difficult, but creative work.

The first tours and concerts began at a young age. Gayana successfully took part in various Russian and international competitions, recordings, and trips with the team around the country. Such a hectic touring life literally captured the young vocalist! And yet, Gayana stubbornly continued to work on her gift, managing to reach heights not only in music, but also at school, and find time in her busy schedule for textbooks and notebooks. At the age of 12, Gayana first performed on the Kremlin stage. In a duet with Joseph Kobzon, she performed a song that was dedicated to the monstrous Beslan tragedy. From the age of fifteen, the girl herself writes songs, which she then performs and records.

Even before graduating from high school, Gayana collected many awards, diplomas from music festivals, and she repeatedly became a laureate and grand prix winner of vocal competitions. Over time, she joined the adult composition of TO "Premiere" and became its soloist. Gayana’s first big independent solo concert took place at the age of 17, at the graduation of the music studio that “raised” her. In the same year, Gayana Zakharova successfully entered the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music, “jumping” the class of the compulsory music school.

The "Gayana" team began rehearsals in 2010, and in the spring of next year the musicians gave their first concert. They took part in Soul Kitchen parties; it is these performances that the participants consider the start of their concert activities as part of a young group. Gayana herself defines the style of music they perform as 80s Pop. The name of the group is consonant with the name of the lead singer herself. In November 2013, the first album “Reborn” was released. The guys dedicated it to the legendary Chaka Khan, whose music had a significant influence on the musical preferences and style of playing of the band members. Those who listened to the album invariably note the incredible effect of returning to the 80s, which was made possible thanks to the acoustics of the recording studio.

Today the Gayana team is a participant in the largest jazz festivals. They perform at Usadba Jazz, Lady in Jazz, VDOKH, and are known as residents of Jazz Parking. Gayana herself successfully took part in the “Voice” project and became one of the brightest stars in the “constellation” of Pelageya.

We met with the singer and participant in the Russian project “The Voice” Gayana Zakharova during her visit to Armenia. Of course, enough time has passed since then, and for technical reasons this interview is rather late. However, it has not lost its relevance - the Armenian audience still knows almost nothing about Gayan. talked with the singer about everything: about her creative path, upcoming projects and, naturally, about her Armenian roots.

Gayana, you are the most mysterious of all the “vocal” people with Armenian roots. This is what I found on the Internet about your family: “Gayana Zakharova was born in 1992 in Krasnodar. Having inherited musical talent from her father’s parents, she showed it already in the first years of her life. Thanks to my mother, who noticed her musical abilities, the children’s aspirations found a way out to a more professional level.” That's all. I would like to know more about your parents. Who are they, what do they do?

My parents are wonderful, wonderful people. Dad, despite the fact that his parents were musicians, did not follow in their footsteps. Musical abilities were passed down through the generations. Mom is also not connected with music, but nevertheless devoted all her time to my creative development.

My father Valera was born in Ashgabat, my mother Marina - in Yerevan. And I'm in Krasnodar. I studied at school there and went to college in Moscow. Now I’m studying in Gnesinka, working...

I'm getting married...

Yes, I'm going to get married in the summer.

How is your last name written in your passport: Zakharyan or Zakharova?

According to Zakharov's passport. My dad and my grandfather have this last name. Of course, the last name probably once had the ending -yan. But I don’t know how and when it changed, in what generation, but it is definitely Armenian.

Yes, you look like an Armenian.

I am proud to be Armenian. I have never hidden my roots, especially since Russia is a multinational country, and there was no need for this.

Didn’t that stop you from trying to get through?

No. Of course, in any country there are people who are not entirely adequate and can say anything. I think it would be ugly to hide your nationality in order to achieve some goals. The guys (Margarita Pozoyan, Artem Kacharyan, Edward Khacharyan, Anzhelika Alferova-Harutyunyan) and I are a clear example that this does not need to be done.

Which Armenian performer would you like to record a duet with?

To be honest, I've already thought about this. And I even expressed my thoughts out loud that I wanted to sing with Gor Sujyan. I really like his music and voice.

Tell us about the projectGayana.

This is my group where I sing. It includes my future husband, with whom we write songs and think through everything. There are a lot of plans related to this project. So, our as-yet untitled album in the style of soul and R’n’B will be released very soon. I also promise a hint of retro and 80s music.

I heard from your friends that you are a very spiritual person. And how does this manifest itself?

Don't know. Perhaps it’s that I, like any creative person, am not entirely down to earth. Besides, I believe in God.

You sing pop, jazz, soul,R'n'B. What is closer to you?

I sometimes perform jazz standards, but I can’t call myself a jazz singer, since this is a slightly different vocal school. Still, soul and R’n’B are closer to me. At the moment, these are the areas in which I am working and would like to develop further.

P.S. While preparing the interview, Gayana presented a video for the song “Not a Word.” As the director of the video, Kirill Saushkin, noted, “the video for the song “Not a Word” shows the main character, whose memories at times appear in living forms, in particular, memories of her beloved. All of us, looking at a loved one, subconsciously reproduce in our heads the moments that connect us with him, and even more often we do this during his absence. It is precisely through this process, memories, that feelings are supported, and such simple things help us all keep each other at a distance and in closeness.”

Interviewed by Marina Adulyan

Follow on

29.05.2015 16:11

Gayana Boytsova: “I want to be not just a background, but to convey something important to people”

The fragile and petite Gayana Boytsova (frontwoman of the English-language Russian band Gayana) has a deep and sensual voice that gives you goosebumps (in the good sense of the word). This was also felt by those who came to the recent one, which the group was just opening. Gayana captivates not only with her sincere attitude towards her work, but also with her difference from the plastic young ladies who fill glossy magazines. And looking at her open smile after the performance, you understand - here it is, that fresh, real music.

Your performance opened the Bosco Fresh Fest. Were you nervous? Were you wondering how many people would come?

Being the first means that there will not be such a full house near the stage as in the evening. But our group was ready. We are pleased that in the middle of the performance the people joined us. Were you worried? We were preparing, but to some extent, yes, there was excitement, since we presented two new songs. This moment is always special for the artist. But the weather turned out to be just right. I’m even glad that it’s cloudy today: our music is a little difficult to perceive and sunny weather would not create the right atmosphere. And it’s so warm, it’s not raining – that’s just it.

How does Bosco fresh Fest differ from those festivals where you have already performed?

Bosco is good because it popularizes conceptual music in a special style and gives young teams the opportunity to show themselves. In this sense, the festival is unique.

Perhaps the organizers did not persuade you for long?

Yes (laughs). We wanted to participate that year, but then we had a different program. I’m glad that it was in 2015 that we showed the audience what we wanted.

- Which performers from the list would you like to listen to yourself?

To be honest, I didn’t really hear any of the foreign headliners presented, but it would be interesting for me to look at each artist. I read about who is coming, I definitely want to hear them live. Musicians must learn from each other. It is also interesting to watch young teams who are interesting, have freshness and new ideas.

Rounding out the band is Therr Maitz, whose frontman, like you, participated in the show “The Voice.” Is television currently the most effective way to popularize creativity?

I think TV is not the best way. A certain circle of people watch it. The Internet is already for a different audience. In general, this is all a mystery to me. I don't think so much about what brings popularity more. But large-scale projects like “The Voice” provide certain feedback. They are useful. The main thing is to show yourself correctly, because on TV they want to “hairstyle” themselves to suit their vision, and it is rarely possible to show yourself as you are. It’s cool that Anton continues to follow his line, using television correctly.

In the context of “being yourself,” a quote from Breakfast at Tiffany’s came to mind: “Don’t think that I don’t want to get rich or famous. This is very much part of my plans, someday, God willing, I will achieve this, but just let my “I” remain with me.”

I don't strive for wealth and fame. This is not an end in itself. It's not particularly interesting to me. I just want to do my own thing. Every musician is pleased when his work is known and listened to. Yes, I have a dream that people all over the world know my music and feel it. To do this, you just need to work hard and do everything sincerely. The result will come sooner or later, the goals just have to be correct.

You mentioned on Facebook that your new album will be released soon...

Yes. It's in the active recording process. About 7-8 songs are already ready. This album will be much more serious in terms of lyrics and general message, because I want my music not only to serve as a pleasant background so that you can move around and relax, but also to convey something important. We are believers and want to talk about God, about faith, and we consider this to some extent our mission. If God has given you a talent, you should use it to glorify Him first, not yourself. And the new album is inspired only by God. Of course, by different musicians, but the lyrics will be deep and serious. Today we presented two songs, one of which is “Judge”. It concentrates the theme of the future album. We have set the vector and people know what to expect. At the same time, the album is not heavy - there will also be lighter compositions. But most importantly, we still want to convey something important.