Burunduk Kvartet Alternative group Country: Russia

Content:

1. The Birth of Burunduk Quartet
2. The Merger of Creative Forces
3. The Name That Stuck
4. Role Distribution
5. Loungecore Pioneers
6. Debut Album and Critical Acclaim
7. Future Plans and Continued Success

The Birth of Burunduk Quartet

In October 1997, four musicians with diverse backgrounds in design, psychology, and music came together to form the alternative band Kollektiv. These musicians were Vadim Noskov, Vadim Sesiunin, Alexander Merzlyakov, and Maxim Fedoseev. The first half of the band had extensive experience in design, while the other half were certified psychologists. This unique combination led them to refer to their creative process as "psychological layout."

The Merger of Creative Forces

Despite their young age, the idea of merging the bands "Beautiful Came," "Droont Males," and "Lunokhod" had been brewing for some time. The primary motivation behind the merger was the desire to combine their creative potential to create a new and innovative collective. Soon, Maxim Fedoseev joined the alliance from the group "Droont Males," bringing his guitar as an entry contribution.

The Name That Stuck

All members of the quartet had previously collaborated on various projects. The idea of forming a serious new band emerged after several rehearsals, during which they recorded their first compositions. The only thing left was to choose a memorable name. Despite intense brainstorming, numerous options were dismissed as unsatisfactory.

One evening, the "future Burunduks" performed under the enigmatic name "." The director of a nightclub, tired of waiting for them to decide on a name, had already printed it on the poster and sent it to the printing press. The musicians took the incident with humor and initially considered keeping it as a joke. However, they ultimately realized that it would be difficult to pronounce.

After six months, the project finally found its name: "Burunduk Quartet." This name was chosen for several reasons. Firstly, the word "burunduk" (chipmunk) evoked African rhythms and had a certain rhythm to it. Secondly, the word "квартет" (quartet) hinted at their interest in jazz at the time.

Role Distribution

The roles within the band were distributed as follows:
Merzlyakov: "The Speed of the Band"
Fedoseev: "The Watchman of the Band"
Noskov: "The Conscience of the Band"
Sesiunin: "The Gym Teacher of the Band"
However, these roles were often fluid and subject to change.
Early Success and Touring

In 1998, Burunduk Quartet released their debut maxi-single on Citadell Records, featuring three songs and several remixes by different Moscow projects. The remix of the track "Bizon-bizon" by Lasy Fish was particularly well-received. Around the same time, the band gained popularity with record labels and began appearing on various compilations, sometimes without their knowledge or consent.

After their promising debut, Burunduk Quartet embarked on an active touring schedule. The more they toured, the more new opportunities arose.

Loungecore Pioneers

Burunduk Quartet became one of the first bands in Russia to embrace the emerging genre of loungecore, a subgenre of easy listening music characterized by stylish sophistication, subtle humor, and ease of listening. This genre became a defining characteristic of the band's sound.

Debut Album and Critical Acclaim

In 2000, Burunduk Quartet released their debut album, "Stuffed Horse," on the Exotica Lights sub-label. The album was met with rave reviews and solidified their status as a favorite among music journalists.

Future Plans and Continued Success

In 2001, Burunduk Quartet planned to release two new projects: their contribution to the second part of the popular compilation "Tell Tchaikovsky the News" in February and their own new album in May. Their success continued to soar, and they established themselves as a leading force in the Russian alternative music scene.

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