Part philosopher, part mystic, part hippie...? Andrei Vershinin and his band Medieval Chinese verse sung in Russian to the accompaniment of guitar, keyboards, bass and accordion is the unusual cocktail that awaits you at Andrei Vershinin's forthcoming concert this Wednesday.
This unlikely combination sprung from St Petersburg's flourishing underground culture in the early 1980s. Vershinin, 32, has mentioned both Aquarium's Boris Grebenshchikov and writer Vladimir Shinkaryov as major influences in his work. The rock musician and the artist/writer were both profoundly interested in Oriental culture and experimented with it during the course of their work.
Vershinin wrote a short book called Mitki which soon became a cult classic. He described in the book's preface that the book provided the basics for a "new youth mass movement" called Mitki.
Chuang Tzu, the famous Taoist whose writings are the basis of Vershinin's lyrics, was part psychologist, part philosopher, part mystic and part hippie.
He basically believed that a person should be utterly benign, without ambition or thought control. Chuang rejected the easy life of ruling others and chose instead the difficult life of ruling himself. Vershinin said, "When I first heard the song 'Platan' by Grebenshchikov, I was surprised to discover that it consisted almost entirely of quotes from Chuang Tzu and I asked Grebenshchikov why he had decided to do this." Grebenshchikov replied "Why not?"
Vershinin at that time thought it was strange to hear someone singing songs containing Chinese verse but now he does it himself. He did, however, admit that there was a certain distance between him and Grebenshchikov, but as to Shinkaryov and other members of group of artists which share common attitudes in "Mitki," he had become real friends.
In fact, his first public performance was at a Mitki exhibition in Latvia in the late 1980s. "Shinkaryov does not know realize his massive influence that he has had on my work and life, but I decided to continue after his words of encouragement," said Vershinin.
Step by step, first as a joke, then seriously, Vershinin and his long-time friend, Mitki poet Mikhail Sapego, started to develop what they called "constructive opposition to Mitki." The subdivision was dubbed "Sailors," for both Sapego and Vershinin graduated from Makarov marine school. Vershinin is still a sailor and soon after the concert will leave for six-month voyage.
Vershinin sees his creative goal as reintroducing music back into old Chinese poetry, which was originally sung, but which lost its music over the centuries.
Above all he believes songs should be melodic. At this Wednesday's concert, which will be a somewhat special occasion since Vershinin rarely performs, he will be supported by Mikhail Sapego, who will recite his own Japanese-influenced poetry, and singer Olga Pershina. There will also be an "exhibition of Mitki posters" in the hall's foyer.
Although Vershinin admitted that he has had doubts, now he is more confident that his work is necessary. "After every concert people approach me asking questions and quoting from Chinese books," he said.
Vershinin keeps the Soviet-era tradition of unofficial "apartment concerts" alive, often performing at his friends' places and studios. And this concert also promises to be warm and friendly.