Vlad Zhukov: Music Without Borders

Vlad Zhukov is a musician, composer, sound producer, director, and multi‑instrumentalist whose work spans a wide range of genres — from electronic and trip‑hop to symphonic, ethnic, and rock music. His projects are heard in film, on the radio, on theatre stages, and in clubs.

For a long time, Vlad worked as a producer, composer, and remixer for pop artists such as Alla Pugacheva, Philip Kirkorov, Linda, Anastasia Stotskaya, Abraham Russo, Zara, Varvara, and others. He has collaborated with the bands Polyusa, Billy's Band, Andrey Mashnin, and also produced remixes for the pop band Marseille. Yet his own work has always been far from pop conventions.

Back in 1996, he was one of the first in Russia to release a trip‑hop album, Secret Language, on the German label Hyperium Records. Later, he worked with a full symphony orchestra as a musician and sound producer (performing in Dubai with orchestra and electronics, playing the Matrix OST), and experimented with ethnic music — collaborating with Sergey Starostin (Alliance, projects with Inna Zhelannaya). In 2003, their joint track from the album Bylo Solntse was nominated for a BBC World Music Award.

In the early 2000s, Vlad was invited by Mikhail Mateshvili to Georgia, where he created the ethno‑project Sameba, rooted in Georgian folklore. Six tracks from the album were featured on the soundtrack to the American film Power Trip. The album was released in Russia and Georgia, and the track "Gelino" became a hit, later re‑released in Germany.

In 2008, Vlad launched a new project — Vlad Zhukov FDA (Few Days Ago). It all started with the track Nothing, which reached No. 2 on the "Hit Parade of Two Capitals" and, based on listener voting, finished the year at No. 4 — the highest ranking among Russian artists. The project featured a remarkable lineup of musicians across two albums — Virtual Life (2009) and Another Day (2017) — as well as in live performances.

Engineers and mastering:

• Boris Istomin — sound engineer, mixing engineer. Mastered the FDA album Virtual Life and served as sound engineer for live concerts (except "Day by Day"). Worked with Aquarium, Mumiy Troll, Zemfira, Vyacheslav Butusov, Chaif, Splin, Polyusa, Zveri, Dima Bilan, and many others. Over 150 albums to his credit.
• Mike Marsh — mastering engineer (Virtual Life album, track "Day by Day"). Worked with Björk, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Oasis, The Prodigy, Jamiroquai, Calvin Harris, Zedd, and Kasabian.
• Yury Shcherbakov — mastering. Mastering engineer who collaborated with Vlad Zhukov on many projects, including the new Sameba album, the FDA album Another Day, and the album Bylo Solntse (Sergey Starostin & Volkovtrio).

Live lineup (joined at various times):

• Viktor Savich — bass (Symphonic Kino, Chizhik‑Jazz‑Quartet, Optimystica Orchestra, B. Grebenshchikov, Non Cadenza, A. Kondakov, JD Walter, David Morin). Worked with B. Titomir, N. Noskov, Zh. Aguzarova. Permanent member of "Symphonic KINO".
• Igor Belenko — drums (Polyusa, Torba‑Na‑Kruche).
• Denis "Ringo" Sladkevich — drums (Volkovtrio, S.P.O.R.T., PEP‑SEE). Played in Mladshie Bratya and Prepibaki.
• Sviatoslav Kurashev — guitar (Volkovtrio). Composer of music for over 70 films. Worked with Leonid Fedorov (Auktyon), Sergey Starostin, Igor Butman, Kaigal‑ool Khovalyg (Huun‑Huur‑Tu), and many others.
• Yury Zaslonov — guitar (Kis‑Kis, PRAVADA, Skoty).

Alongside Nothing, other tracks from the album Virtual Life received radio airplay: "Day by Day", "Losin' Myself" (feat. Pro'fit), "Sometimes" (feat. Pro'fit), and "Don't Wanna Pretend Anymore", where Vlad also made his directorial debut.

Remixes of these tracks were played on the radio and featured on compilations such as Transmission 6, Transmission Trance Festival, and Transmission 7. Vlad has collaborated with DJ Feel, DJ Alexander Popov, Aurosonic, Affective, ReOrder, Eximinds, and many others. In 2011, his collaboration with Aurosonic was released on the renowned dance label Armada.

Beyond music, Vlad is actively involved in video production, shooting music videos for himself and other artists. His directorial work includes music videos, commercials, short films, and the comedy YouTube project "Blue Tales".

Vlad Zhukov continues to work across a wide range of genres — from electronic to symphonic music — remaining one of the few Russian musicians who has managed to carve out his own niche in a densely populated musical landscape.

FDA ft. In Progress — Another Day (Affective rmx)
Produced by Affective & Vlad Zhukov
https://itunes.apple.com/ru/album/another-day/id1228067949?l=en

The full original version: https://youtu.be/wEB7fEFAZuA

FDA ft. In Progress — Another Day
(Music by Vlad Zhukov & In Progress, lyrics by Pro'fit)

Video:
Directed by Vlad Zhukov (2016)
Filmed in Georgia & St. Petersburg (Russia)
Actress — Inna Tkachuk

Vlad Zhukov — camera operator
Inna Tkachuk — camera operator
Michael Paritskiy — camera operator
Webra — camera operator, drone operator
Arseniy Kan — camera operator (drums recording session)
Montage & postproduction by Vlad Zhukov

Special thanks to:
Roman Shustrov, Leonid Gerkus, Tanushka Mironenko, Nastya Samsonova, Oleg Shagapov, David Webb

Jan 12, 2016 — Part 1

Full version: YouTube · Apple Music

FDA – "Welcome To My World"
(music & lyrics by Vlad Zhukov)

Recording lineup:

• Vlad Zhukov — vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion, additional programming
• Dmitriy Pavlov — guitar
• Pavel Vovk — bass
• Sergey Kivin — drums

Recorded & mixed by: Vlad Zhukov & Kolya Bichan

Video:
Directed by: Vlad Zhukov (2015)
Filmed in Georgia & Saint Petersburg (Russia)
Actress: Inna Tkachuk

Camera operators:

• Vlad Zhukov
• Inna Tkachuk
• Michael Paritskiy
• Webra — camera operator, drone operator

Editing & post-production: Vlad Zhukov

Special thanks to:
Roman Shustrov, Leonid Gerkus, Tanushka Mironenko, Nastya Samsonova, Oleg Shagapov, David Webb

FDA ft. In Progress — Another Day (Part 2)
Full version: https://youtu.be/wEB7fEFAZuA
https://itunes.apple.com/ru/album/another-day/id1228067949?l=en

2. FDA ft. In Progress — Another Day
(Music by Vlad Zhukov & In Progress, lyrics by Pro'fit)

Vlad Zhukov — vocals, guitars, acoustic guitar, additional keyboards, additional programming
In Progress — keyboards
Nina Zayac — violin
Pavel Vovk — bass
Sergey Kivin — drums
Recorded & mixed by Vlad Zhukov & Kolya Bichan

Video:
Directed by Vlad Zhukov (2015)
Filmed in Georgia & St. Petersburg (Russia)
Actress — Inna Tkachuk

Vlad Zhukov — camera operator
Inna Tkachuk — camera operator
Michael Paritskiy — camera operator
Webra — camera operator, drone operator
Arseniy Kan — camera operator (drums recording session)
Montage & postproduction by Vlad Zhukov

Special thanks to:
Roman Shustrov, Leonid Gerkus, Tanushka Mironenko, Nastya Samsonova, Oleg Shagapov, David Webb

FDA - I'm Not In Love (10CC cover)

Produced by Vlad Zhukov

https://itunes.apple.com/ru/album/another-day/id1228067949?l=en

Vlad Zhukov — vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, keyboards
Oleg Belov — keyboards
Pavel Vovk — bass
Sergey Kivin — drums

Mixed by Vlad Zhukov & Kolya Bichan

Vlad Zhukov — camera operator
Arseniy Kan — camera operator

Produced by Vlad Zhukov (2014), St. Petersburg (Russia)

FDA — I'm Not In Love (10CC cover).

Recording keyboards with Oleg Belov.
https://youtu.be/DSd2o8KuVis

I wanted to say thank you to all these wonderful musicians (and not only) with whom I've had the good fortune to collaborate at different times on various projects of mine: Alex "Sanches" Nekrasov (INFO, Poliusa, Lazy Killer, Manizha)–guitar, Viktor Sankov (Poliusa, Kolibri, Dikajee, Seti, Ligands)-bass, Sergey Kivin (Animal ДжаZ, Selfieman)–drums, Oleg Belov(Welcome To The Club, Frukty (Vecherniy Urgant), Ivan Urgant's band, Chizhik‑Jazz‑Quartet)–keyboards, Viktor Savich (Symphonic Kino, Chizhik‑Jazz‑Quartet, B. Grebenshchikov,Non Cadenza, A. Kondakov, JD Walter, David Morin)–bass, Sergey Poznyakhovsky (Pro'fit) – rap, Dima Pavlov (Poliusa, Megapolis, Zventa Sventana, Obe Dve, Therr Maitz, Zemfira)–guitar, Yury Zaslonov (Kis‑Kis, PRAVADA, Skoty) – guitar, Pavel Vovk (Mumiy Troll, Poliusa, Optimystica Orchestra)–bass, Igor Belenko (Poliusa, Torba‑Na‑Kruche)–drums, Kolya Bichan (SoHm Project, Auktyon, Aquarium, Orkestr Vermishel, Poliusa, WTTC)–guitar, keyboards, Ilya Razin (Poliusa)–guitar, Denis Sladkevich (Volkovtrio, S.P.O.R.T., PEP‑SEE)-drums, Sviatoslav Kurashev (Volkovtrio)–guitar, Vladimir Volkov (Volkovtrio)–double bass, Sergey Starostin–vocals, flutes, Boris Istomin,Yury Shcherbakov,Alexander Dokshin–sound engineers, Vadim Chernyshev–bass, Nugzar Pantsulaia-guitar, Sergey Davidov–vocals, Eduard Davidov–drums, Robert Nersesov–keyboards, Dato Aduashvili – percussion (New Discipline), Madi Serebryakova (Sameba)–vocals, Mikhail Paritsky(Sameba)–virtual duduk, Merab Sanodze (Sano) (Sameba)–percussion, Alexey Kindikov (Affective)–keyboards, Pavel Radko (In progress)–keyboards, SATOB Theatre named after D.D.Shostakovich, Gulya Naumova (INFO, Symphonic Kino)–violin, Nina Lipatova (Zayats) (Duet Dolce)–violin, Dmitry Evdomakha (Forward, Savoyary, Zemlyane, DDT, Michael Ogodorov Band)–drums,Igor Rozanov (Spitfire, Prepimaki, Optimystica Orchestra, Preztizh)–drums, Vitaly Lapin–guitar (Nom, Pep‑See), Vitaly Istomin–keyboards, Pavel Asafiev – bass (PEP‑SEE), Tatyana Larina, Arseny Kan–camera operator, Alexey Urban–camera operator,Mikhail Antykov–camera operator, Vitaly Kremenetsky–camera operator, Andrey Mesnyankin COLORKITCHEN)–colourist, Inna Tkachuk–my muse The video uses footage from the music video Vlad Zhukov and Friends – Day by Day (2011), ft.: Vladislav Zhukov (senior), Sergey Kivin (Animal ДжаZ), Andrey Kulemin, Andrey Reznikov "Ryzhik" (Billy's Band), Stepan Ledkov (Marseille), Andrey Samsonov, David Webb, Viktor Savich, Oleg Belov, Ilya Razin (Polyusa), Mikhaylych (Animal ДжаZ), Filipp Belikov "Dj Feel", Natasha "Miusha", Lera Masskva, Nikolay Bichan and Olga Melnik, Sergey Poznyakhovsky (Pro'fit), Zara, Alexander Nuzhdin (radio Maximum), Anna Sashina, Anastasia Devyatykh, Anna Nova.

FDA – "Welcome To My World & Another Day" (ft. In progress)
Apple Music

1. FDA – "Welcome To My World"
(music & lyrics by Vlad Zhukov)

Recording lineup:

• Vlad Zhukov — vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion, additional programming
• Dmitriy Pavlov — guitar
• Pavel Vovk — bass
• Sergey Kivin — drums

Recorded & mixed by: Vlad Zhukov & Kolya Bichan

2. FDA (Few Days Ago) ft. In progress — "Another Day"
(music by Vlad Zhukov & In progress, lyrics by Pro'fit)

Recording lineup:

• Vlad Zhukov — vocals, guitars, acoustic guitar, additional keyboards, additional programming
• In progress — keyboards
• Nina Zayats — violin
• Pavel Vovk — bass
• Sergey Kivin — drums

Recorded & mixed by: Vlad Zhukov & Kolya Bichan

Video (2015):
Directed by: Vlad Zhukov
Filmed in Georgia & Saint Petersburg (Russia)
Actress: Inna Tkachuk

Camera operators:

• Vlad Zhukov
• Inna Tkachuk
• Michael Paritskiy
• Webra — camera operator, drone operator
• Arseniy Kan — camera operator (drums recording session)

Editing & post-production: Vlad Zhukov

Special thanks to:
Roman Shustrov, Leonid Gerkus, Tanushka Mironenko, Nastya Samsonova, Oleg Shagapov, David Webb

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— composer, sound producer, director, multi‑instrumentalist.
Creator of the band FDA and the project Sameba, whose tracks became the soundtrack to the American film Power Trip and were featured on BBC in tourism advertising for Georgia. Composer for the films Salyut‑7, How Stars, the series Angel or Demon, and others. Sound producer and co‑composer of the ballet "Three Masks of the King" at the Mariinsky Theatre. Director of the YouTube project "Blue Tales" featuring E. Dzharakhov, Animal Dzaz, Billy's Band, and the band Polyusa. Released albums on Hyperium Records (Germany). Worked across electronic, symphonic, rock, ethnic, and hip‑hop genres. In the past, he worked with Alla Pugacheva, Linda, Zara, and the band Marseille. Participated in the album by Sergey Starostin and Volkovtrio (nomination for BBC World Music Awards).

— lyrics, vocals (rap).
Russian rapper, songwriter, and MC. In 2009, he recorded a duet with Bogdan Titomir, after which he moved from Saint Petersburg to Moscow. He has worked as a songwriter and performer with many artists: Sergey Lazarev and Timati (co-writer of "Moscow to California"), Vlad Topalov, Pavel Volya ("Nopassport"), Irakli ("Give it all to you", "Dirty girl"), Karina Koks, DJ M.E.G. ("Freeworld", "Turn the volume up"), the band Gradusy, T‑Killah, David Vendetta, and others. In 2011, he co-wrote the song "Boom Boom" for T‑Killah.

— drums.

A renowned Saint Petersburg drummer, best known as a member of Animal Dzhaz. He was part of the live lineup of Selfieman, founded by Nikolay Stravinsky. He currently plays in the project FromScratch

— bass.

One of Russia's most sought‑after bass guitarists, best known for his work with Mumiy Troll. He is also the current bassist for Uma2rman. Over the years, he has played in Polyusa, Electricheskie Partizany, Half Dub Theory, Optimystica Orchestra, and Moya Mishel. He has collaborated with Animal Dzhaz and Vadim Kurylev

— guitar, acoustic guitar.

A Russian guitarist, known for his work with Therr Maitz, Polyusa, Megapolis, Zventa Sventana, and Obe Dve. He has collaborated with Zemfira — contributing guitar and bass parts to her album Borderline (2021).

— cello, acoustic guitar, guitar; mixing of the FDA album "Another Day" together with Vlad.

A Saint Petersburg composer, sound producer, multi‑instrumentalist. Founder of SoHm Project and Bichan Orchestra, member of ORKiKO, producer of the trio "Letov — Marto — Bichan". He has collaborated with Aquarium, Auktyon, Polyusa, Pep‑See, Billy's Band, Chris Norman, Red Snapper, and many others.

— keyboards.
A Saint Petersburg composer and pianist, known as a resident musician and keyboardist for the band "Frukty" on the TV show "Evening Urgant". He is also a member of the "Kvartet imeni Muzyki" alongside Alexander Potapov, Igor Timofeev (Aquarium), and Pavel Vovk. He took part in Ivan Urgant's musical project "Grisha Urgant". Composer of music for numerous films. Laureate of the D. D. Shostakovich Composers' Competition. Over the years, he has collaborated with Zemfira, Marc Almond, and Igor Vdovin. He is also known as a sound producer and arranger.

— guitar, acoustic guitar, pandur.
A St. Petersburg guitarist, pianist, and visual artist. Founder of the instrumental indie‑rock quartet INFO and the band Lazy Killers. Known for his long‑term collaboration with Vlad Zhukov — together they created the YouTube project "Blue Tales". He has collaborated with Polyusa (piano, guitar) and co‑founded Lemurianz with Alexander "Mikhalych" Krasovitsky (leader of Animal Dzhaz). He designed covers for Animal Dzhaz releases (including the album Korni, 2023) and has performed in the live project of singer Manizha.

— bass guitar.

Multi‑instrumentalist and sound producer. A member of Polyusa, Seti, and the duo Volkova Sankov. He produced the album Schastya net by Kolibri. He has collaborated with Nina Karlsson, Dikajee, and others.

— percussion.

Georgian multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and founder of Sano Studio in Tbilisi. Member of The Shin and Adio. A long-time creative partner of Vlad Zhukov — contributed percussion to Sameba and appeared as a narrator in the project "Blue Tales".

— vocals, co-writer, lyricist (Sameba).
Vocalist, co-writer of music, and lyricist for the project Sameba. Her voice is considered an integral part of the group's sound. She also contributed vocals to one of the tracks on the FDA album "Another Day". She is currently an Austrian opera singer (soprano). Born in Tbilisi, she graduated from the Tbilisi Conservatory and completed a traineeship at the Tbilisi National Opera House. She was awarded the 2nd prize at the Franz Stanner Competition in Vienna (2010). Since 2011, she has been a member of the Vienna Razumovsky Ensemble.

— remixes

.
Russian electronic musician, composer, and sound producer. His releases have appeared on Tranceport Recordings, Mistique Music, and RUNE Recordings. He has produced numerous remixes for FDA and continues to collaborate with Vlad Zhukov, including on the new album of the project Sameba.

— violin.

A violinist and member of the duo "Duet Dolce". She has collaborated with Vlad Zhukov as a session musician.

— keyboards, co‑writer of two songs on the album ("Another Day" and "Calling").

Known as In Progress — a Russian trance producer and DJ. His tracks have received support from world stars such as Armin van Buuren, Markus Schulz, and Mike Shiver. He participated in the recording of two tracks on the FDA album "Another Day".

— author of two songs on the album – "Winter" and "Sirin" – which Vlad Zhukov completely reinterpreted in his own version.

A Russian musician, vocalist, and songwriter, best known as the leader of "Romeo Must Die". He holds a degree in philology and writes both lyrics and music for his songs.

— guitar, album cover design.

A Saint Petersburg musician, founder and permanent frontman and songwriter of the rock band Polyusa. He has been friends with Vlad for a long time and they help each other on various projects.

He played guitar in the live lineup of FDA and also designed the CD cover for the album Another Day together with Vlad.

By the way, Ilya also built this website.

— sound engineer, mixing engineer.

He helped with mixing several tracks for the FDA album "Another Day" and also handled sound engineering at live concerts.

Together with Mike Marsh, he worked on the mastering of Vlad's previous album — "Virtual Life".

He also mastered the tracks from the Sameba album (2001–2003).

— a world‑renowned British mastering engineer.

He worked at the legendary London studio The Exchange from 1986 for nearly three decades. In 2015, he opened his own studio, Mike Marsh Mastering, in Devon.

Throughout his career, he has worked with artists such as Björk, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Oasis, The Prodigy, Jamiroquai, Calvin Harris, Zedd, and Kasabian.

— mastering.

A mastering engineer who has collaborated with Vlad Zhukov on many projects, including the new album of the project Sameba, the FDA album Another Day,

and the album Once There Was Sun (Sergey Starostin & Volkovtrio).

— bass

(Symphonic Kino, Chizhik‑Jazz‑Quartet, Optimystica Orchestra, B. Grebenshchikov, Non Cadenza, A. Kondakov, JD Walter, David Morin)
A renowned Saint Petersburg bass guitarist, collaborating with many Russian and international pop stars. Over the years, he has worked with B. Titomir, N. Noskov, Zh. Aguzarova, and others. He is a permanent member of the project "Symphonic KINO".

— drums
(Polyusa, Torba‑Na‑Kruche)
He was the drummer for Polyusa for a long time. In 2012, he joined the band Torba‑na‑Kruche.

— drums

(Volkovtrio, S.P.O.R.T., PEP‑SEE)
Musician, arranger, keyboardist, and drummer. One of the founders of PEP‑SEE. In Volkovtrio, he plays as a drummer. He has played in the bands "Mladshie Bratya", "Prepibaki", Solus Rex,

and "Nikogda ne ver khizhi".

— guitar

(Volkovtrio)
A permanent member of the avant‑garde jazz group Volkovtrio. A composer who has written music for over 70 films. He has worked with Leonid Fedorov (Auktyon), Sergey Starostin, Igor Butman, Kaigal‑ool Khovalyg (Huun‑Huur‑Tu), and many others.

— guitar

(Kis‑Kis, PRAVADA, Skoty)
Guitarist of the rock band Kis‑Kis. He also participates in the projects PRAVADA and Skoty.