Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhenya Rock.
Hi Zhenya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been playing music pretty much my whole life, and after all these years I still haven’t figured out how to stick to just one style. I guess that’s a good thing.
Back in 2008, I started Flying Balalaika Brothers in Austin. I had this idea of mixing the music I grew up with in Russia with all the American music I loved. Rock’n’roll, bluegrass, jazz, some Balkan and Gypsy music thrown in. It probably sounds like a strange combination, but somehow it worked. Austin was a great place for that kind of experiment. There were so many good musicians around, and people were always open to hearing something different.
We started playing local shows, then festivals and concerts around the country. Over the years, the music kept changing, and eventually Flying Balalaika Brothers became Balkan Laikas. We still mix all those influences, but we’ve developed our own sound. It’s loud, energetic, sometimes a little crazy, and there’s always room for improvisation. I like it when the audience gets involved. The best shows are when people forget about their chairs and start dancing.
I also have another project called ZeeRok, where I get to play more surf rock, rockabilly, and old-school rock’n’roll. And I do solo shows too. It’s a different experience when it’s just me and my guitar, but I really enjoy that as well.
Besides music, I paint. I’ve always enjoyed making art, and sometimes it’s nice to create something without having to worry about what key it’s in or who’s going to play the drums.
These days I’m still writing music, playing shows, working on new ideas, and looking forward to more festivals and concerts. I’ve been lucky to share the stage with some amazing musicians over the years, and I hope to keep doing that for a long time.
I guess I just like making things. Music, paintings, whatever comes next. As long as it’s interesting, I’m in.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh, definitely not! I don’t think there’s such a thing as a smooth road when you’re an independent musician. Especially when you play music that doesn’t really fit into any particular category.
That’s probably been one of the biggest challenges. People always want to know what kind of music you play, and when you tell them it’s a mix of Balkan, Gypsy, rock’n’roll, bluegrass, and jazz, they don’t always know what to do with that. It’s hard to put us in a box, and that can make booking shows and reaching new audiences a little tricky.
Then there’s the business side of music. I love writing songs, playing guitar, and being onstage. But being an independent musician also means dealing with booking, promotion, travel, and all the other things that have nothing to do with actually making music.
We’ve had our ups and downs, like everybody else. The music industry has changed a lot over the years, and you constantly have to figure out new ways to keep going.
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve met some incredible people, played some amazing shows, and had experiences I never would have imagined. And every time I get onstage and see people dancing and having a great time, I remember exactly why I started doing this in the first place.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I guess the easiest way to describe what I do is that I play guitar, write music, paint, and generally try to stay out of trouble. The last part doesn’t always work.
I’m probably best known for mixing musical styles that aren’t supposed to go together. I grew up with Eastern European music, but I’ve always loved American rock’n’roll, surf rock, bluegrass, and jazz. Somewhere along the way, all those influences got mixed up in my head, and that’s pretty much how my music sounds today.
With Balkan Laikas, we take that mixture onstage and see where it goes. We play original music, there’s a lot of improvisation, and no two shows are exactly alike. I like giving musicians room to do their thing. Sometimes they surprise me, and that’s the fun part.
With ZeeRok, I get to explore my love for surf guitar, rockabilly, and good old-fashioned rock’n’roll. And when I perform solo, it’s a completely different kind of freedom. Just me, my guitar, and whatever happens that night.
I’m also a painter, which gives me another creative outlet. I don’t really separate music and visual art in my mind. They’re just different ways of getting an idea out of my head.
What am I most proud of? Probably the fact that after all these years, I’m still doing what I love, still writing new music, and still finding people who want to hear it. I’ve played some wonderful stages and worked with amazing musicians, but I think the best part is when someone comes up after a show and tells me they’ve never heard anything quite like it.
As for what sets me apart, I don’t know. I’ve never been very good at following musical rules. Maybe that’s my specialty.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Austin is definitely the people and the music scene. This city has given me so much over the years. I started Flying Balalaika Brothers here, met some incredible musicians, made lifelong friends, and played more shows than I can count. Some of my best memories are those nights when we’d finish a gig and end up jamming with other musicians until early morning. That’s the Austin I fell in love with, a place where music was everywhere and nobody thought it was strange to mix Russian folk music with rock’n’roll.
I love Austin’s musical spirit, I even wrote a song about it, “Live Music Capital of the World!” with my good friend Leeann Atherton. And I’m happy that some of that old Austin spirit is still alive. For example Sahara Lounge is one of my favorite places to play. It has that wonderful mix of musicians, music lovers, and people who just want to dance and have a good time.
Another thing is annual Sputnik Party at Austin Beerworks. It’s become a special tradition, and there’s a funny connection to my song “Laika,” about the first dog in space. Russian space history, beer, rock’n’roll, and a bunch of friends getting together in Austin. Somehow it all makes perfect sense!
As for what I like least, well, the traffic would be an easy answer. But what really bothers me is seeing some of the old music venues disappear. Austin has grown so much, and it’s getting harder for the small clubs and independent musicians that made this city famous. I miss being able to drive across town in fifteen minutes, too!
Still, every time I come back to play, I see familiar faces in the audience, reconnect with old friends, and meet new musicians. And that’s what makes Austin special to me. The city may look different, but the people and the music are still what keep bringing me back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zhenyarock.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingbalkanlaika/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balkanlaikas
