Interview Interrogation: Cache & Nookie from Slot (Russia)

What many could argue as Russia's answer to Hollywood Undead and Disturbed, Slot (Слот) have been rampaging Moscow's streets for 15 years with the gritty style of Nu Metal / Rapcore. Having released their latest album last year (SEPTIMA), Slot are leading the new wave of Russian Metal with fellow compatriots Save and MagnetiC forming a new breed of metal band.

Arguably they're part of a wider 'Eastern European' Nu Metal movement with the likes of Jinjer and Infected Rain from Moldova being the latest to bring a new edge to the seemingly dead Nu Metal sound. Slot however were yet to break into the wider international metal arena... until now, as they sign a deal with Sliptrick Records to distribute their album outside of Russian territories; additionally they're releasing online a compilation of their best songs marking their 15th anniversary.

Vocalists Igor "Cache" Lobanov and Daria "Nookie" Stavrovich were more than happy to share an insight into Slot's world.

"Years ago there was one alternative music TV channel called “A-One”, which supported rock music in Russia."

Hi guys, for those who don't know who Slot are could you give us a brief background history?

Cache: "OK, we formed in Moscow 15 years ago. Nookie joined us in 2006. Last year we released our seventh album and there’s a lot of things that actually happened throughout those years. If you want to know who we are, go to iTunes or whatever and check out some of our music. By the way, we are about to release our “best of” this April, it is called “15” and it’s the best way to get to know us; through listening to this release."



The Russian Metal scene is quite underground and yet there are so many decent bands, what problems is the scene facing?

Nookie: "The first and the main problem – there’s no metal bands featured in the traditional media and no support comes from them at all. It’s not only about really extreme bands, but about anything that is even slightly harder than a feather. And of course this is not good for the genre. Everything is working just because artists’ enthusiasm and talent are there; more emphasis on enthusiasm though."

Cache: "The underground is out of show business, actually. Each band is on its own and survives by itself. Loads of potentially good bands just disappear after a while, because they can’t combine the day job and music well together. The absence of 'music schools' is also a problem, it concerns musicians, sound engineers, everyone. Well, I guess it is common for everywhere – metal is not in such favour as pop music."


Have you got any plans to tour the UK and indeed Europe?

Nookie: "We’ll be in Topfest in Slovakia this summer. Check it out - http://www.topfest.sk. As for the rest of the world – we are open to your invitations! There are means of contact with our manager on our site, if you want to book us for any concert in your country, drop him a line."


Is it relatively hard touring Russia given its vastness and time zone differences?

Nookie: "It’s ok, time zones do not change so fast. But the country is really big, so by the time you finished the previous tour, it’s time to go on to the next one."

Cache: "Sometimes gigs happen in some kind of 'anabiosis'. The distance between cities in Eastern Russia is big, so sometimes to get from one city to another you should cross a couple of countries such as Poland for example. But what can we do – people want to see us from all over the country!"

What plans does the band have for the rest of this year?

Nookie: "We have our anniversary tour this spring and then during the autumn. We release “best of” soon and our label will probably release one of our concerts on DVD this fall."


You've been going for over a decade, what challenges and issues have you had along the way?

Cache: "The main challenge – is relations within the band. It’s hard to work without tensions among the band members during those 15 years, but we don’t allow these tensions to destroy mutual respect and good communication. And we are proud, that we managed to do it. And we still exist as a band."

Nookie: "While there were some turbulence in the band: some people left, some came in, it is now quite a stable band. We accepted all the changes as changes for the best. Years ago there was one alternative music TV channel called “A-One”, which supported rock music in Russia. It has helped many bands, many bands disappeared as soon as this channel was shut down. Slot survived and our next TV appearance was also a challenge – I mean my participation in “The Voice”. But we used this show to promote rock music a little bit."


What hobbies / interests do you have outside of music and your day job?

Nookie: "I don’t actually have one. Besides Slot I have my solo project “Nookie” and I make scores for animation and even musicals as a composer."

Cache: "I don’t usually have spare time, but when I do, I’m into photography and design. I even have my Instagram where I upload all the materials. @designofoto and I can count my solo project ModeM as a hobby, this is different from Slot musically speaking, so I can call this a hobby in some way"


Finally have you got any hello's or thank yours you wish to send out.

Nookie: "We know how many people outside of Russia love Slot, and we really appreciate it! Thank you very much for your support!"


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