Rock band leap year. Leap year group

The song "Metro" appeared on the first and so far only album of "Leap Year", released in 2000 under the name "...who returns".
This happened after ten years of existence of the group, which appeared as an amateur group of very young people. The VG composition included Ilya Kalinnikov (voice, guitar, songwriter), Dmitry Guguchkin (solo guitar), Ilya Sosnitsky (keys). The idea for the album arose in Kalinnikov’s mind in the summer of 1993 during rehearsals in the music room of school No. 4 in the city of Fryazino, although it would be more correct to talk about it not as an Album, but as a cycle of songs united by a certain theme included in the title.
By the way, many noted that the group’s performance style is very reminiscent of “Time Machine” (some still believe that “The Best Love Song” is the fruit of Makarevich’s creative torments). This can be partly explained by the fact that VG’s first mentor and producer was Alexander Kutikov, bass guitarist and one of the vocalists of “Time Machine”. Their collaboration, which began in 1996, did not lead to any practical results, but it gave Ilya Kalinnikov important experience in show business. Also under the influence of Kutikov, the song “Quiet Light” was born, which later became the title theme of the TV series “Truckers”, and the final version of “The Best Love Song”.

It is interesting that the song “Metro,” which made the group famous, was the last to appear on the album, although its main musical motif appeared somewhere at the end of 1997 in the finale of the solo part played by Kalinnikov for a completely different song. Over time, it became clear to Kalinnikov that the new composition would be called “Metro,” which he spoke about somewhere in the spring of 1999. But things didn’t go beyond conversations, and soon Kalinnikov was persuaded to work as a sound engineer on the set of a film. A few weeks later, Masha Hopenko, the director of the group, found him, after which approximately the following dialogue took place:

Old man, where is your song about the subway? Are you ready?
- No, here is the text... Here is the film...
- Old man, what are you doing, oh$#$? What movie? In September, the collection "Farewell to Arms" with new songs is released. The place is already packed. Stop your film and go write.

Kalinnikov returned to Fryazino, and the group began work. The song was recorded in a few days and nights, the lyrics were completed during recording (and the line about Windows and the default actually came out as a joke). However, the resulting version one rainy September morning did not suit either the musicians themselves or the authoritative listeners. The group set about redoing it, but then terrorist attacks occurred in Moscow, which finally knocked Kalinnikov out of the creative rut in which he was already struggling to maintain. He stopped wanting to hear anything about Metro, drank vodka with his bandmates and discussed where this would all lead. Some of this led to the fact that as soon as everyone came to their senses a little, the second version of “Metro” was recorded, brighter, more guitar-driven, more “formatted”. But he also did not leave an impression of himself as final. (True, this second version was published in a collection as an appendix to some magazine and even ended up on some non-metropolitan radio stations).
The last, currently known version of “Metro” was recorded by the group that pulled itself together in March 2000. True, sometimes during concerts, musicians, when performing an encore, perform the full version of the song, containing eight verses.

Kalinnikov himself admits: “When I wrote “Metro”, I even said to myself: that’s it, no more songs, it tormented me so much. Then - in September 99 - we played it just once and threw it on the shelf. “We” are those who could have served in intelligence, played in a movie, who could have done something, but now he’s stupidly riding the subway, no one knows why there, no one knows why back. If you add up everything that people think about in the subway, and then derive the arithmetic average - That's what this song is about. And also about love, the most hopeless love in the world."

The first broadcast of the song took place on April 5, 2000 at 00:15 on Avtoradio. Then it went to other radio stations. And it’s especially good on “Our Radio”, where after a week of airing “Metro” took 9th place in the “Chart Dozen”. Another four weeks later - the first one, which still had six weeks left. In total, the song lasted four and a half months in the designated chart, falling short of the absolute record on the chart by a week.

By the way, some note that “Metro” is surprisingly similar to Cesaria Evora’s song “Consedjo”. However, the VG musicians themselves consider this a coincidence.

Cesaria Evora - Consedjo

A video for the song "Metro" was not filmed, although there were proposals. Kalinnikov explains this by saying that “Metro” is a song-story that evokes in each person his own personal associations and emotions, and if you impose your idea, your video on people, this will not benefit the songs. In addition, all the scripts that were offered to the musicians were banal.

Now the group performs periodically, sometimes records new songs, however, there is no talk of a new album.
Kalinnikov: “Albums, discography, a career on the stage were not an end in themselves for me. I will say more: I am very distrustful of everything that sings and dances on stage. After five concerts, I suddenly thought how I got here, why I am here, But what about the dreams? Are they over or what? I'm 34, and I haven't yet fallen in love with a black student from the south of France, I've never (not once!) been arrested for diving in the fountain in Trafalgar Square! Who am I? Author and lead singer of a band "Leap Year"? Lived up! I never stopped working with the group, but I greatly rearranged my life then. I understand, of course, that if people were interested in me, it was only as (pardon the expression) a “songwriter.” But all life is more than songs. This is my important discovery. I give it to you!"

In 1988, the group “Leap Year” arose as a “concept” in the minds of Ilya Kalinnikov, when he contemplated the landscape from the window of the Fryazino-Moscow train and composed a song. He thought it would be nice to call this song “Leap Year.” Then he thought it would be nice to name the group that. And so it happened. And the song “Leap Year” remained unfinished. In 1990, the Leap Year group emerged as an amateur group of very young people. Its composition included (vocals, guitar, songwriter), (solo guitar), Ilya Sosnitsky (keys). In 1994 he joined the group (bass guitar) and in 2000 - (accordion, guitar).

1995, January - “The Best Love Song” was born. The first person to mix the song was Alexander Kutikov (“Time Machine”). The first version of the song remained on the collection “101 hits. Issue 4". (1997). In winter, the song “Quiet Light” was born, again under the influence of Alexander Kutikov, who hinted, as in the case of “The Best Love Song,” that more hits were needed.

2000, night of April 5 - the first radio broadcast of the song “Metro” on Avtoradio, Moscow. In the same year, with the song “Metro”, the group was rotated on all leading Moscow radio stations, including “Our Radio”, entered the “Chart Dozen” hit parade, and then won it, remaining on the first line for 7 weeks . In the same year, the album “Which Returns” is recorded and released.

2000, August - experienced concert manager Alexey Kan joins the group, and from that moment the concert activity of the Leap Year group begins.

2000, October - The group receives an invitation from Alla Pugacheva to take part in the “Christmas Meetings”. The group gets a rare opportunity at “Christmas Meetings” to perform not one, but two songs (“Best Love Song,” “Metro”). Performance at “Christmas Meetings” brings the group national success.

2001, March - the song “Quiet Light” becomes the title song of the popular television series “Truckers”. In the same 2001, “Leap Year” was nominated for the “Ovation” award, became the winner of the “Song of the Year” and the winner of the “Stopudovy Hit” award. In 2002, the Golden Star of Autoradio was awarded.

In 2002, the song “Kino” was released, in 2003 - “Bringing Good Luck”, in 2004 - “Who’s Here?”, in 2005 - “Nobody But You”, in 2006 - “Call!”.

In 2003, Ilya Kalinnikov invited Mikhail Mitin (drums) and Dmitry Shumilov (bass guitar) - musicians of the legendary “Polite Refusal” - to record one of the songs. From that moment he became the drummer of the group “Leap Year”.

In 2004, the group disappeared from the sight of fans and critics, stopping performances in Moscow. Ilya Kalinnikov abandons the idea of ​​recording a new album. The band continues to tour and perform only at private events.

2006, June - Pavel Seryakov and Ilya Sosnitsky leave the group (they organized the project “Today in the World”).

2006, August - Dmitry Guguchkin (bass guitar) returns to the group. Takes the keyboard player's place.

2006, October - “Leap Year” resumes concert activities. Preparations begin for the release of the second studio album.

2006, December - Ilya Kalinnikov and Dmitry Guguchkin decide to introduce a brass section into the group, and in 2007 young musicians join the group - (trumpet) and (trombone).

“Leap Year” never had a producer, and not a penny was invested in the traditional “promotion” in show business.

2007, September - Ilya Kalinnikov is awarded the second “Golden Disc” from the National Federation of Phonogram Producers for the album “Which Returns.”

2008, February - the group releases a re-release of their debut album. All songs have been remixed and 4 bonus tracks have been added.

2000 - Which returns
01. Best love song (2:53)
02. Subway (3:46)
03. A Certain Nobody (3:08)
04. Lanterns (3:47)
05. 21st oncoming (3:47)
06. Sixth day of autumn (4:46)
07. Quiet Light (4:20)
08. Lay down and dozed off (3:53)
09. Wait (2:36)
10. 16:37 (4:31)
11. Metrojazz (6:11)

Bonus (2008 re-release):
1. Cinema (Full version, 2002) (2:38)
2. The best love song (Kutikov edition, 1997) (3:18)
3. Flekkefjord (4:08)
4. Metro.Band.2007 (3:51)

Official website: www.visokosniygod.ru

Leap Year is a rock band from Fryazino near Moscow.

Critics note her closeness to the domestic stage, warmth, sentimental lyricism, " rare soulfulness and trustfulness of Leap Year songs", among which the phrase " We invented Windows, we declared default“has actually become popular.

In 1988 the Leap Year group arose as a “concept” in the mind Ilya Kalinnikov when he contemplated the landscape from the window of the Fryazino-Moscow train and composed a song. He thought it would be nice to call this song Leap Year. Then he thought it would be nice to call the group that. And so it happened. And the song Leap year it remained unfinished.

In 1990 The Leap Year group arose as an amateur group of very young people.

The Leap Year group included:

In 1994 joins the group Pavel Seryakov - Bas-guitar.

In 2000 joins the group Dmitry Kukushkin - button accordion, guitar.

The night of April 5, 2000- the first radio broadcast of the song on Autoradio. In the same year with a song Metro the group is rotated on all leading Moscow radio stations, including Nashe Radio, and is included in the hit parade Chart's dozen, and then wins it, remaining in first place for 7 weeks. In the same year, the album was recorded and released.

August 2000- an experienced concert manager joins the group Alexey Kan, and from this moment the concert activity of the Leap Year group begins. Alex Kahn- permanent administrator of the group from 2000 to this day.

October 2000 - the group receives an invitation from Alla Pugacheva to take part in the “Christmas Meetings”. The group gets a rare opportunity at Christmas Meetings to perform not one, but two songs ( Best Love Song, Metro). Performance at “Christmas Meetings” brings the group national success.

March 2001- song Quiet light becomes the theme song of the popular television series "Truckers". Also in 2001, Leap Year was nominated for an award Ovation, becomes a laureate Songs of the year and award winner Stopudovy hit.

In 2002 Ilya Kalinnikov hand over Golden star of Autoradio.

In 2003 Ilya Kalinnikov invites you to record one of the songs Mikhail Mitin - drums And Dmitry Shumilov - Bas-guitar- legendary musicians. From that moment Mikhail Mitin becomes the permanent drummer of the band Leap Year.

In 2005 the group disappears from the sight of fans and critics, having stopped performing in Moscow. Ilya Kalinnikov abandons the idea of ​​recording a new album. The band continues to tour and perform only at private events.

June 2006- leaving the group Pavel Seryakov And Ilya Sosnitsky (organized a project In the world today ).

August 2006- returns to the group Dmitry Guguchkin - Bas-guitar. Place keyboard player takes Ilya Murtazin.

October 2006- Leap Year resumes concert activities. Young musicians join the group - Yuri Vanteev - pipe, And Renat Khalimdarov - trombone.

Leap Year has never had a producer, and traditionally in show business, “ promotion“Not a penny was invested.

September 2007- Ilya Kalinnikov is awarded the second “Golden Disc” from the National Federation of Phonogram Producers for the album.

February 2008- the group releases . All songs have been remixed and 4 bonus tracks have been added.

Composition of the Leap Year group:

Other news

FANS of the group "Leap Year" are certainly romantics. Moreover, they are hopeless romantics. It seems to them that Ilya KALINNIKOV and his guys are playing for those who are just about to sing their best love song...

And you, Ilya, you who sing about love, are you a romantic?

For me, romantic means innocent. Like all people, I was once innocent. Like all people, I stopped being one. But I still remember what I was like. The people's favorite song "Metro" is a childish mood for adults.

And it's also a hit! On all radio stations today, among the usual pop music, among outright hackwork, they play “Metro”.

- “Hit” is a good word. If you remember the etymology - this is a “blow”! It's not hard to write a hit song. Maybe this is immodest, but for five or six years now I’ve known how to make a hit. This is a studio, production craft. I respect the desire of radio stations to capture large audiences, to fight for the masses. If my songs help, that’s nice. I don’t know what our musical direction is called. I can only remember two definitions that we have already been awarded. First: bard rock. Vile name. Second: KSP easy listening. It's a joke. With our songs we awaken the good from your past. And the secret of “Metro” is that this song is for any format. But why was “The Best Love Song” constantly listed on “Russian Radio”? I do not understand. But don’t interfere with this. Now our audience has suddenly become so wide that I completely give up the idea of ​​somehow feeling and understanding it. The audience is from 17 to 57. Concerts in clubs are held with a squeal, although our songs seem to be such that you have to sit and listen thoughtfully.

You probably don’t have to go down the subway anymore after the success of “Metro”? And if you go down, will you pass your station because of the signing of autographs?

It’s no longer possible to calmly go into your grocery store. I am pleased that now the songs of “Leap Year” are much more famous than the group itself. And the group is more famous than its members. It's good that this is exactly the case, and not the other way around. I would like to take the metro a little more quietly. I was recently driving along the line where I always sleep. I wake up - two girls are sitting opposite me and are afraid of my appearance. The same man who sings: “We fall asleep in the subway,” suddenly sits nearby with such a sleepy face. They recognized me, that is. Maybe this is the fashion for Leap Year? I don’t know how you can say this to yourself: “I’m fashionable”? I don't participate in this internally. But for those who want to become famous or fashionable, I’ll say: guys, don’t worry, it’s not worth it. This is the lack of free time, including sleep, this is the lack of loneliness.

I'm asking you as an expert on romantic love. What's worse: when someone stops loving you or when you stop loving you?

Very good line. It's scary to lose feeling. The feeling of love is a manifestation of human nature. This is a catastrophe. Because a person is deprived of natural grace.

How do the lines come to mind? You sit down with a piece of paper...

You sit down, put down the paper, get ready, talk to someone on the phone, say, leave me alone, I don’t have time... The process of writing a song consists of 99% preparatory and final time. And the text is written quickly. Although I have already begun to forget how they are written. First, the main points of the song come to mind. But not the first line, as many believe. I always write diagonally, starting from the middle. The second stage is when you, with a piece of paper and a guitar, try to connect everything into a single whole. In a song, the text is always primary, because a song is some kind of story, right?.. I have a better command of music: in a day with a group I can scribble out three or four pieces. But this won’t work with text.

How did this whole Leap Year thing start? One morning you suddenly woke up famous?

What came first? At first there was an idea to name the future group “Leap Year”. This idea was born in 1988, when I was still in school. But the date of birth can be considered either 1994, when the current composition was assembled, or the year 1996, when he first did something. We didn't play music on the weekends. We've never been a band willing to play anywhere for $100. They did not develop classically. Over the course of two years, we had only three so-called rehearsal sessions, when the guys made songs in home, country, and beach conditions. Somehow in 1995, we got together as a group and left for the 101st kilometer, to my hometown of Orekhovo-Zuyevo. In the apartment where I grew up, we built a studio for a month. This is how the first recordings were made. Two or three things were included in the first and only album so far - “Which Is Returning”. In 1996, a demo recording of the future album appeared, which already included “The Best Love Song.” The famous "Metro" appeared even later, in 1999. All accumulated material was set aside. Postponed because the publishers did not smile. Several years ago, without thinking about the consequences, I distributed cassette tapes with our songs to friends. The things recorded on these gifts would be enough for two more albums. I'm afraid this material will surface on the Internet. The album "Which Is Returning" has already become platinum according to Russian standards. But, by the way, it might not have reached people at all. And all because we are lazy and unambitious. If it weren’t for one wonderful woman, let’s call her Masha, nothing would have worked out. One day she burst into the group’s presence shouting: “You, Ilya, have gone completely crazy from creative torment!” She quietly stole my cassette with songs. And then she dropped it off at Nashe Radio. So serene, originally from Fryazino, “Leap Year” went on air and touched vulnerable souls.

In “The Best Love Song” there is this story: “When she was 36, he died very quietly...” Did the man’s health fail him or his age?

When he is older than her, this is a normal situation among human beings. And it all starts with the girls. They sometimes perceive their peers poorly. This is why we men, in the prime of our creative powers, walk around with calluses. This theme will be present on the new album.

An intimate question: do you drink before a performance?

Sometimes it happens that someone really spoils the mood before a concert. And then you allow yourself 50 grams. But they don't have a strong impact. Everything goes away with the second song. We need to tune in to the public. We need to play theater. And the range of techniques and improvisations is limited. Theater of one group is very complex.