Sensiva: "Draught"

One of the more intriguing new releases of 2009, straight after the holidays, will be "Draught," a new album from St. Petersburg's Sensiva.  The band consists of three young men: Aleksander Belkov (drums), Aleksander Dubrovin (guitar), and founding member, Artem Galukhin (aka "Sensiva"), who is responsible for all the keyboard wizardry.

Galukhin seemingly shuns public attention, and the number of his reviewed works may also be small, but the band's output is well worth public attention.  From very humble origins, and with a minimal budget, grand structures are slowly built.  Thank heavens for overdubs.

Although Belkov's and Dubrovin's rhythm section may rely upon more traditional rock-oriented formats, it's the lush, constantly spiraling keyboards from Galukhin that give Sensiva a layered sound reminiscent of early '80s synth-pop.  This was a time when labels such as London's Mute started to ponder ways in which rock's diminishing or outmoded energy could be reinvested in (and resurrected with!) electronic instruments.  Keyboards could, perhaps, save the the raison d'etre of the guitar.

Much of the crossover material here is instrumental, but the band has drawn upon a couple of friends for vocal assistance.  We've covered both of them on the site before.  One of these musical mercenaries is Galun, otherwise known as Sergei Galunenko, who has but one instrument, courtesy of Mother Nature: his mouth.

Galun usually works in an improvisational style reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin, but here - in more conservative ways - his vocals appear in understated patterns towards the conclusion of "Bum and Kiran." The title is a play upon the names of two cartoon heroes from the late Soviet Union.  Kim and Buran, to boot, have also been drawn upon over the last few years in other, related places - as the name of a well-known electronic duo from St Petersburg (above).

The second guest appearance is from the wonderful Galia Chikiss (below), also the subject of our approval and attention several times on this site.  She, together with Galun and Galukhin himself, makes for a very "northern" project.  All participants live and work in very cold places.

This geographic importance is especially underscored by the members of Sensiva, who offer the briefest sketch of their musical evolution; it begins with a pair of skis - before any instrument was ever touched.

Glaukhin plots his growth as follows: "Birthplace:  The small town of Kirovsk in northern Russia, not far from the Khibiny mountains; 7 years: Mountains skiis and a piano; 16 years: A thrash-metal group, guitars, and vocals; 18 years: The move to Saint-Petersburg and "Robototechnique"; 20 years: Electronic music and Sensiva!

If these warm sounds from chilly places are appealing, related materials can be found via the netlabel that Glukhin founded in 2005, Sensotech.  As we say, the band produces a very rich and welcoming sound, which really does appear to be something of a reaction to their surroundings.  Winter in the Khibiny mountains lasts about two thirds of the year, with winds blowing a constant 40 meters per second.  At least electronic instruments emit small amounts of heat.

No wonder the band advertises itself on extra clothing.