Since starting out in 2010, Anfisa Letyago has gone from being a revered rising star to a certified mainstay in the techno scene. Having founded her label N:S:DA at the tail-end of 2020, the Siberian born, Napoli-based producer followed soon after with two landmark releases, “Listen” and “Nisida”. She has since delivered a 3-Volume series of remixes illustrating the versatility of her sound. From ethereal vocals, to celestial grooves, the remix collaborations invite you to experience her music in a whole new way.
The three-volume release, “Listen & Nisida (Remixed)”, is an entrancing experience featuring remixes from DJ Seinfeld, Calibre DJ Tennis, Closet Yi and more. Volume 3 also features Anfisa reworking her version of “Nisida”, recapture the euphoria of her original track and elevating it to a heart thumping series of climaxes.
We spoke to Anfisa to learn more about the mind behind the music and how she got to this point:
Can you tell us a bit about the conception of the original mixes of “Nisida” and “Listen”?
“Nisida” and “Listen” are two tracks conceived during the lockdown, when clubs were closed. They came out naturally, as a result of my feelings back then. Both songs were created to tell my story, artistically speaking, without limitations and with the usual authenticity that characterises me.
They both stand tall as fantastic singles, can you speak on the motivation behind selecting the collaborators and releasing the remixes in 3 Volumes?
These two singles are the result of my great change as a producer, I managed to express myself emotionally through these songs. After the pandemic, I felt the need to expand this release and give it the “space” it deserved. However, I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone, I needed the help of my colleagues to realise what I had in mind. By having more producers collaborating to the project, each one with their own unique style and approach, I was also able to get a wider spectrum of electronic sounds, which means a wider audience to reach. I let my professional esteem guide me in the selection process of my collaborators, I don’t like doing things based on marketing and business decisions, it’s not part of who I am. I decided to release the remixes in 3 Volumes because it’s a huge and complex project, it seemed right to release it in more than one step to give people the possibility to taste all the tracks slowly, assimilating each of them carefully.
Besides music, what aspects of your life do you draw inspiration from?
My lifestyle is for sure my biggest source of inspiration. When I’m at home, I always go for a run early in the morning and this helps me to clear my mind and face the day with greater concentration and tranquility. My eating habits are also very important to me. Since I’ve adopted a healthier diet, not only is my body cleaner and free of toxins, but my mind too, and this helps my creative flow. Last but not least, I’m constantly becoming more aware of the environmental issues, changing my daily habits to lead a more sustainable life, and this makes me feel more connected to nature, which is historically a source of inspiration for every artist.
On Vol.3, you remixed yourself on “Nisida”. Where did the desire to remix it stem from, has the remix changed the intention of the piece for you?
The third volume was a very exciting project. It was the creativity of my colleagues to stimulate me and make me want to re-edit “Nisida”. It wasn’t easy at all, the whole recreation process was very challenging for me, but I’m very satisfied with the result. The meaning of the piece is the same, I just felt it was right to create an “updated” version of this song, since I first created it during the lockdown, where clubs were closed, and we couldn’t fully do our jobs.
What is your favorite track that you’ve created on this release?
I don’t have a favourite one, I like all of them for different reasons and because they’re all strictly linked to my artistic evolution. I love every version with their own nuances, which are representative of the different sounds of the electronic music.
How do you want people to interpret your work? Is there anything you hope they learn about you through your music?
I hope they feel at home when they’re listening to my music, that my tunes set them free and make them feel happy. I think this is the best thing I could do to people with my songs.
You’ve amassed quite a large following on social media, can you speak on this and the importance of authenticity especially when there is so much push to be someone else or subscribe to an aesthetic?
As far as I’m concerned, social media are means to stay in touch with the people who love me and my music, who come to my shows and want to be connected with me. I mostly share contents that are representative of my day-to-day experiences and it’s heart-warming to read all those comments, feel how close they are to me even if we’ve never talked. I think that’s mainly because I show myself as I am on my accounts, so they really feel like they know me. Isn’t that amazing?
Being myself is essential for me, and I’ve never been afraid of being judged. I’m not interested in numbers, I like telling my story and talking about my job because that’s what makes me who I am. The way you use social media is your choice, and I decided to communicate myself as I am rather than as I would like to be.
Can you talk us through your experience of playing to crowds of thousands of people? What’s running through your head?
The first times I was shaking of course, you have so many eyes on you and the “responsibility” to make them have fun for 2 hours or so. You ask yourself if you will be able to do that. Now the only thing that runs through my mind is: have fun and make the people do the same!
Having accomplished so much already, what are your aspirations for the future?
I’m very happy with how my career is developing, I’ve been playing a lot since clubs have reopened and I will be playing even more in the next few months, and that makes me excited of course. In the future I hope to grow more and more and to make my dream come true, which is to tell myself and connect with the world through my music.
What are your thoughts about Berlin and will you be playing nearby anytime soon?
I’ve played at Hafen49 in Mannheim on May 1st and it was great, I enjoyed the energy of my audience so much. I have another show in Germany on the May 10th at Isle of Summer in Munich and I am really looking forward to it. It would be a pleasure for me to have you there!
About Berlin I can say it’s a city I come to very gladly because I feel that the public is in line with my music vision and I love to connect with them, I can totally express myself when I’m there.
