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Ilya LagutenkoLeader of the group Mumiy Troll
Date of Birth: 16.10.1968
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Childhood and Family
- Education and Early Musical Pursuits
- Military Service and Commercial Career
- Formation of "Mumiy Troll"
- Musical Breakthrough and Album Releases
- Film Collaborations and Soundtrack Work
- International Recognition
- Honors and Recognition
- Personal Life
- Literary Pursuits
- Present and Future
Childhood and Family
Ilya Lagutenko was born in Moscow, Russia, on October 16, 1968. His father, Igor Lagutenko, was an architect, and his mother, Elena Borisovna Lagutenko, was a fashion designer. When Ilya was six months old, his father underwent an appendectomy, but complications arose, resulting in his untimely demise.
Elena Lagutenko moved back to her hometown, Vladivostok, with her young son. She remarried and her second husband, a long-distance sailor, became a father figure to Ilya. The family grew when a daughter, Maria, was born.
Education and Early Musical Pursuits
Ilya Lagutenko attended a school that specialized in the Chinese language, demonstrating a strong aptitude for the subject. From a young age, music captivated him. He formed his first band, "Boni Pi," in elementary school. Additionally, he performed in a children's choir that toured cities across the Soviet Union.
After graduating from high school, Ilya enrolled in Far Eastern State University, majoring in Oriental Studies. During his studies, he undertook internships in China and the United Kingdom, further enhancing his language skills.
Military Service and Commercial Career
Lagutenko served in the Soviet Navy as part of the Red Banner Pacific Fleet, an experience that profoundly influenced his songwriting with nautical themes.
Following his military service, he worked as a commercial consultant in Beijing and London.
Formation of "Mumiy Troll"
In 1983, Ilya Lagutenko founded the band "Mumi Troll," inspired by the characters from the children's book by Tove Jansson. After several years of struggling to gain recognition, he exclaimed, "We're not Moomins, we're real mummies!" This exclamation gave birth to the band's now iconic name, "Mumiy Troll."
Musical Breakthrough and Album Releases
The band's debut album, "New Moon of April," was released in 1985. "Delai Yu-Yu" followed in 1990, but despite featuring songs that would later become national hits, the album failed to make a significant impact. The band disbanded but reunited in the late 1990s.
Their 1997 album, "Morskaya," was a critical and commercial success. It spawned hits such as "Utekay," "Devochka," and "Vladivostok 2000." This marked the beginning of a prolific period in Lagutenko's career.
Subsequent albums released by Mumiy Troll include "Ikra" (1998), "Shamora" (1998), "Tochno Rtuti Aloe" (2000), and "Memuary" (2002).
Film Collaborations and Soundtrack Work
Ilya Lagutenko's talents extend beyond music into the realm of cinema. In 2004, he starred as the charismatic vampire Andrei in Timur Bekmambetov's blockbuster film "Night Watch." He also contributed the soundtrack song, "Idi, Ya Budu."
Lagutenko has composed numerous soundtracks for films and television series, including "Day Watch," "Space Race," "Piter FM," and "Paragraph 78."
International Recognition
Mumiy Troll's music has gained international recognition. Many of their songs have been translated into English and released in the United States.
Honors and Recognition
Ilya Lagutenko has received several accolades for his musical achievements and social activism. In 2013, he was awarded the Order of Merit for Vladivostok, First Class, and in 2016, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Vladivostok.
Personal Life
Ilya Lagutenko married Elena Troinovskaya, a marine biologist, during his time in Vladivostok. They had a son, Igor, named after Lagutenko's late father. The couple divorced in 2003.
In 2007, Lagutenko met gymnast and model Anna Zhukova. They later married and welcomed two daughters: Valentina-Veronica (nicknamed Vivi) and Leticia. The family currently resides in Los Angeles.
Literary Pursuits
Lagutenko has a passion for writing. His first book, "Book of Travels. My East," is a memoir of Mumiy Troll's journey. His second book, "Vladivostok-3000," is a science fiction novel set in the Pacific Republic. His third and latest work, "Tiger Stories," is a trilogy about the adventures of an Amur tiger.
Present and Future
Ilya Lagutenko continues to make strides in his music career. In 2016, he released an English-language album with Mumiy Troll, titled "Malibu Alibi." He also directed a documentary film, "SOS Matrosu," and provided the voice for a character in Disney's "Moana."
Lagutenko has organized several music festivals, including V-ROX in Vladivostok, Piena Svetki in Riga, and Far From Moscow Festival in Los Angeles.
In 2017, Mumiy Troll began recording new material for their album "SeverozapadiaHvostok," which features the hit singles "Ot v. Za Romantiku" and "Oi."
Ilya Lagutenko's remarkable career continues to evolve, with new projects and achievements on the horizon.
